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9-day North Coast 500 highlights

Head north through Wick and Tongue, then follow the coast to Durness and Wester Ross. Separate overnight stops break up the north coast, with Ullapool on the way south. This nine-day version leaves out Applecross and some coastal loops to fit the return to Renfrew.

Trip code :WT-CODE 6015

Curated by Wee Coo Campers · A self-drive route to make your own.

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  • Overview
  • Day-by-day itinerary
  • Photos
Best for
A coast-to-coast sampler for confident road-trip drivers
Driving
Substantial driving
When to go
Late spring–early autumn; seasonal pitches
Ferries
Mainland roads; no vehicle ferry

Why this trip: Separate nights in Wick, Tongue and Durness mean the north coast is more than a single long drive.

The trade-off: Nine days still means substantial driving. Applecross is left out; add days for a fuller coastal circuit.

Your trip at a glance

DayStart → endDriving
Day 1Renfrew → Blair Atholl2–2.5 h driving95–110 miles
Day 2Blair Atholl → Fortrose2.5–3 h driving115–130 miles
Day 3Fortrose → Wick3–4 h driving110–130 miles
Day 4Wick → Tongue3–4 h driving80–100 miles
Day 5Tongue → Durness1.5–2 h driving35–45 miles
Day 6Durness → Ardmair, near Ullapool2.5–3.5 h driving70–85 miles
Day 7Ardmair, near Ullapool → Lochcarron3.5–4.5 h driving110–130 miles
Day 8Lochcarron → Glencoe2.5–3.5 h driving105–120 miles
Day 9Glencoe → Renfrew2–2.5 h driving85–95 miles
Map & stops

Pink: overnight · Green: sights · Orange: food · Blue: useful stops

Stops

Choose a day to see its road journey. Tap a shared overnight pin for all its nights.

Daily directions
  1. Day 1 · Pitlochry Directions ↗
  2. Day 2 · Inverness Directions ↗
  3. Day 3 · Wick Directions ↗
  4. Day 4 · Tongue Directions ↗
  5. Day 5 · Durness Directions ↗
  6. Day 6 · Ullapool Directions ↗
  7. Day 7 · Lochcarron Directions ↗
  8. Day 8 · Glencoe Directions ↗
  9. Day 9 · Return to Renfrew Directions ↗

Get to know the places on this route

Cairngorms guide →

Your day-by-day plan

Your day-by-day plan

Day 1

Pitlochry

Day 1Pitlochry95–110 miles · 2–2.5 h driving

Renfrew → Blair Atholl

Things to do

Explore the town and woodland, or make Blair Castle’s grounds your main stop. Blair Atholl is a practical base for the next A9 leg.

Eat & drink

Blair Atholl Watermill: the bakery stop for this leg.

Sleep

Blair Castle Caravan Park: Blair Atholl.

Practical details

Break the northbound drive in Blair Atholl before continuing to the Cairngorms.

Facilities: Park shower, toilet and washing-up facilities. Choose a vehicle touring pitch with the required power connection.

Alternative: Invermill Farm Caravan Park. A different base; revise the driving leg and confirm a touring pitch.

Directions ↗

Day 2

Inverness

Day 2Inverness115–130 miles · 2.5–3 h driving

Blair Atholl → Fortrose

Things to do

Stock up before the remote northern stages. If you choose Chanonry Point, allow time to park appropriately and walk from Rosemarkie or Fortrose rather than counting on space at the point.

Eat & drink

Birch’s Inverness location: check its current address and service.

Sleep

Fortrose Bay Campsite: Fortrose.

Practical details

A Black Isle overnight with Fortrose, Rosemarkie and Chanonry Point nearby. The next stage may head north or south, depending on your route.

Facilities: Electric hook-up, showers, drinking water and waste disposal.

Pitch booking: Book a touring pitch and confirm the seasonal opening dates.

Alternative: Rosemarkie Camping and Caravanning Club Site. Nearby on the Black Isle; confirm the Club’s vehicle pitch and seasonal dates.

Directions ↗

Day 3

Wick

Day 3Wick110–130 miles · 3–4 h driving

Fortrose → Wick

Things to do

Head north on the A9, stopping for Dornoch’s town and beach before continuing to Wick. Dunrobin is an optional longer admission: swap it for the beach stop rather than adding both. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe belongs to a longer Wick stay.

Eat & drink

Wickers World: a harbour-side café on Harbour Quay, with takeaway food for the next leg.

Sleep

Wick River Campsite: Wick.

Practical details

Make Wick the overnight anchor for the Caithness stage and a pantry top-up.

Facilities: Heated shower/toilet facilities, accessible and family showers, laundry and fridge/freezer facilities.

Alternative: Dunnet Bay Club Campsite. Roughly 30 miles farther north-west: shorten Wick sightseeing and start the next day here.

Directions ↗

Day 4

Tongue

Day 4Tongue80–100 miles · 3–4 h driving

Wick → Tongue

Things to do

Follow the north coast to Tongue, then walk towards Castle Varrich for views across the Kyle if daylight and weather allow. Keep the castle walk as the main stop rather than adding every coastal viewpoint.

Eat & drink

Cereal Bakery, Burr’s of Tongue: check service before travelling.

Sleep

Tongue Hostel & Holiday Park: Tongue.

Practical details

An overnight by the Kyle of Tongue, breaking the north-coast drive.

Facilities: Hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up, showers and waste disposal.

Pitch booking: Reserve a campervan pitch. Published arrivals: 14:00–20:00; check the season for your dates.

Alternative: Sango Sands Campsite. In Durness, around 35 miles farther west. This brings tomorrow’s transfer forward.

Directions ↗

Day 5

Durness

Day 5Durness35–45 miles · 1.5–2 h driving

Tongue → Durness

Durness coast
© David Ford

Things to do

Choose Smoo Cave’s accessible viewing area and Balnakeil Beach, leaving weather-dependent boat activity as a separate option.

Eat & drink

Smoo Cave Hotel: the Durness meal option.

Sleep

Sango Sands Campsite: Durness.

Practical details

An overnight base for the Durness and Smoo Cave stage; leave room for the slower roads.

Facilities: In the full season: toilets, showers, laundry and waste disposal. Limited winter service has no open toilets or showers.

Pitch booking: Book ahead for an electric pitch and arrive before 17:00. Non-electric pitches operate first come, first served. This Wee Coo plan uses the full-facilities season.

Alternative: Tongue Hostel & Holiday Park. Back east at Tongue: revise the following west-coast day.

Directions ↗

Day 6

Ullapool

Day 6Ullapool70–85 miles · 2.5–3.5 h driving

Durness → Ardmair, near Ullapool

Things to do

Follow the west-coast road with one stop around Assynt, then make Ullapool’s harbour the evening focus. Resist combining several slow-road loops.

Eat & drink

The Seafood Shack, Ullapool: the harbour lunch stop.

Practical details

Make Ullapool the seafood lunch stop during the harbour outing. Carry dinner for the pitch if arrival is later than food service.

Sleep

Ardmair Holiday Park: Ardmair, near Ullapool.

Practical details

Use the Ullapool area to break the west-coast leg before returning towards Inverness.

Facilities: Showers, toilets, drinking water and waste disposal.

Alternative: Broomfield Holiday Park. In town rather than three miles north at Ardmair.

Directions ↗

Day 7

Lochcarron

Day 7Lochcarron110–130 miles · 3.5–4.5 h driving

Ardmair, near Ullapool → Lochcarron

Things to do

Take the scenic road via Gairloch and Kinlochewe to Lochcarron. The mileage includes that route, rather than the shorter inland connection. Keep Applecross and the Bealach na Bà out of this day: tomorrow has its own southbound stage.

Eat & drink

Waterside Café, Lochcarron for breakfast or lunch in the village. Carry dinner for your pitch if arriving after café service.

Sleep

The Wee Campsite: Lochcarron.

Practical details

Stay beside Loch Carron before the separate journey south.

Facilities: Hardstanding, electric hook-up, toilets, showers and drinking water.

Pitch booking: Seasonal: the published 2026 season ended 30 September. Contact the site for future dates and a pitch; maximum vehicle length is 7.5 m.

Alternative: Reraig Camping. Balmacara is farther south, near the Skye Bridge. Both sites are seasonal.

Directions ↗

Day 8

Glencoe

Day 8Glencoe105–120 miles · 2.5–3.5 h driving

Lochcarron → Glencoe

Glencoe
© Malcolm Lightbody

Things to do

Follow the mainland A87 and A82 via Fort William to Glencoe. Use Fort William for the food or fuel break and reach your booked pitch within its arrival window. Tyndrum and Rannoch Moor are on tomorrow’s southbound journey.

Eat & drink

Pack a picnic for the transfer. Glencoe village coffee fits an early arrival.

Crafts & Things

Practical details

Glencoe village coffee, home baking and a craft shop to browse after the Lochan walk. Useful for a short indoor stop when the rain arrives.

Sleep

Invercoe Highland Holidays: Glencoe.

Practical details

A lochside Glencoe base, with touring available all year.

Facilities: Electric hook-up, some hardstanding pitches and laundry.

Pitch booking: Reserve a campervan pitch directly. Published arrival window: 13:30–18:00; departure by 11:00.

Alternative: Glencoe Club Site. By the visitor centre; its touring season differs from Invercoe.

Directions ↗

Day 9

Return to Renfrew

Day 9Return to Renfrew85–95 miles · 2–2.5 h driving

Glencoe → Renfrew

Things to do

Breakfast at your final pitch, then return to Renfrew. Aim to arrive around 11:00, allowing time for traffic, refuelling and the standard noon handback.

Eat & drink

Breakfast in the van before departure.

Sleep

No overnight: return day.

Directions ↗

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A wee escape, at the right price.

Compare our three packages, then choose your dates for your exact price. Rates vary by season, trip length and availability.

The simple escape

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For campers bringing their own bedding and personal touches.

[wcc_trial_price package="loch_lomond"]
  • Branded 4-berth VW California
  • The Udder Essentials: kitchen kit and cookware
  • Outdoor table and chairs
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A little more luxury

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[wcc_trial_price package="ben_nevis"]
  • Unbranded 4-berth VW California
  • The Udder Essentials, table and chairs
  • Bedding and towels included
  • Welcome hamper and cosy extras
  • Reduced insurance excess
Check prices for your dates

Every package includes unlimited UK mileage, 24/7 roadside assistance and insurance, subject to driver eligibility and verification. Security deposit and excess apply. Starting prices are a guide; search your dates for the available vans, minimum stay and full hire total before booking.

Find your best-value escape

Quieter dates generally offer better value. Summer and popular holiday dates tend to cost more, so try a few dates if your plans are flexible.

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A little extra, if you fancy

Personalise your trip with the optional extras available at checkout. Check what your package already includes before adding more.

Seasonal rates are part of our everyday pricing. Any promotion has its own eligibility and terms; your booking total confirms the price before you pay.

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