Scotland’s Northern Edge featuring the North Coast 500

Departing: May 2027 - September 2027

The coastal landscapes of northern Scotland are shaped by the meeting of ancient rock and the restless Atlantic, creating a dramatic setting for some of the Highlands’ most memorable scenery and stories. At the edge of mainland Britain, we travel through a landscape rich in natural beauty and history, from the jagged sea stacks and seabird colonies of Duncansby Head to John O’Groats and Dunnet Head, the most northerly headland on mainland Britain. At the Castle of Mey, discover the former summer residence of the late Queen Mother, lovingly restored and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Further west, the landscape at Strathnaver reveals the lasting legacy of the Highland Clearances, while Knockan Crag, Ardvreck Castle and Highland Stoneware offer very different glimpses into the region’s geology, history and traditions. Returning through the Highlands, enjoy the scenery around Lochs More and Shin.

Included

Explore the Castle of Mey Gardens, with entrance fees included
All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
Professional Tour Manager
2 nights at the Station Hotel, Thurso (or similar) & 2 nights at the Kinlochbervie Hotel, Kinlochbervie
4 breakfasts & 4 dinners
Private air-conditioned coach travel

Highlights

The famous Stacks of Duncansby Head
Journey’s End signpost at John O’Groats
Summer gardens at the Castle of Mey
The magical Smoo Cave

Tour Itinerary

We depart from our designated pick-up points and head north, stopping en route for refreshments. We continue north by the scenic coastal road to Thurso.
Dinner is served in the evening.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Station Hotel, Thurso

Day 1 Scotlands Northern Edge featuring the North Coast 500

Our day begins at Duncansby Head, the north-eastern tip of mainland Scotland, where a clifftop walk reveals the dramatic Geo of Sclaites, natural arches and the jagged Stacks of Duncansby rising from the sea. With views across the Pentland Firth towards Orkney, this is also a wonderful place to look out for seabirds along the cliffs. We continue to John O’Groats, taking in its spectacular coastal setting and panoramic views across to Orkney, before visiting the Castle of Mey, the former summer home of the late Queen Mother. Discover how she rescued the once-derelict castle from ruin and created the beautiful gardens we see today. Our final stop is Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Britain, with sweeping views across the rugged northern coast.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Station Hotel, Thurso

Day 2 Scotlands Northern Edge featuring the North Coast 500

After breakfast, we cross Scotland’s northern edge to Strathnaver, one of the most significant locations associated with the Highland Clearances. At the museum, housed in the former Church of St Columba, we learn about the communities who lived here and the upheaval that forced thousands from their homes during the early 19th century. We continue to Tongue, a former island community with Norse origins, where there is time for a lunchtime stop. Our next visit is Smoo Cave, whose vast sea entrance is the largest of any sea cave in the British Isles. Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of human activity here dating back around 6,000 years. We then travel via Loch Eriboll and Durness to Kinlochbervie, where we stay overlooking the fishing harbour.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Kinlochbervie Hotel, Kinlochbervie

Day 3 Scotlands Northern Edge featuring the North Coast 500

After breakfast, we head to Knockan Crag, an open-air visitor centre within the North West Highlands Geopark, where information panels reveal the remarkable geology and history of the surrounding landscape, with sweeping views across the Sutherland hills. We continue to Ardvreck Castle, set dramatically beside the loch, before travelling to Lochinver for free time and lunch at leisure. At Highland Stoneware, see beautiful hand-painted pottery being created before returning to Kinlochbervie via the scenic road through Drumbeg and along Eddrachillis Bay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Kinlochbervie Hotel, Kinlochbervie

Day 4 Scotlands Northern Edge featuring the North Coast 500

This morning, we begin our journey home through the dramatic landscapes of northern Scotland, travelling via Laxford Bridge, Loch More, Loch Shin and Lairg. The scenery around Loch Shin has been shaped by the construction of its hydro-electric dam in the 1950s, which raised the loch by more than 30 feet. We stop to admire the spectacular salmon leap before continuing south through Bonar Bridge and Tain. Our journey then continues to the original pick-up points, where we expect to arrive in the late evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Scotlands Northern Edge featuring the North Coast 500

Accommodation

Overlooking Kinlochbervie’s fishing harbour and Loch Clash, with panoramic views towards the open sea, the family-run Kinlochbervie Hotel makes an ideal base for exploring this remote corner of Scotland. All en-suite rooms include TV, Wi-Fi, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer and tea and coffee-making facilities. Please note, the hotel does not have a lift.

Set in Thurso, on the north coast of Scotland, the Station Hotel offers a comfortable base for exploring Caithness and the surrounding countryside. All en-suite rooms include free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar.

Availability & Booking

2027

8th May from $1,885

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10th June from $1,885

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5th September from $1,885

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