Castle of Mey
Mey, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|Turreted 16th-century castle with a beautiful rose garden – the former summer retreat of the Queen Mother.
Adult price: £3
Best for ages 13+
Travel bucket list idea:
Kylesku Bridge on the NC500
The 500-mile loop skirting the north coast of Scotland is not new – but its name is; since 2015 it’s been known as the North Coast 500, dubbed Scotland’s Route 66, tempting those who had previously screeched to a halt at the Great Glen to explore the country’s empty, far-flung north.
A spectacular coastal route, clockwise or anti-clockwise north from Inverness, it careers along snaking mountain passes, across vast swathes of wild, windswept moorland and beside craggy cliffs and endless white-sand beaches. Travel by sports car, motorbike, campervan or bike and tick off ancient castles, whisky – and gin – distilleries and sites such as John O’Groats.
Also see our 5-day itinerary from destination expert Lucy Gillmore.
Mey, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|Turreted 16th-century castle with a beautiful rose garden – the former summer retreat of the Queen Mother.
Adult price: £3
Best for ages 13+
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|An atmospheric, historic battlefield with a state-of-the-art visitor centre that brings the bloody events of 1745 to life.
Adult price: £11
Best for ages 13+
Dornie , Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|The most photographed castle in Scotland – and arguably its most beautiful – perched on an island where three lochs meet.
Adult price: £10
Best for ages 13+
Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|A wildly romantic history, gourmet restaurants and jaw-dropping landscapes with superb hiking and biking, Skye has it all – and a handy bridge to the mainland.
Best for ages 13+
Drumnadrochit, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|The deepest and most famous loch in Scotland, said to hide a famous monster in its murky depths. Also home to the South Loch Ness Trail and the 360-degree Loch Ness walking and cycling trails.
Best for ages 4+
Duration: -
Speyside, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|The world’s only malt whisky trail – eight world-class distilleries and a cooperage, all open for tours and tastings.
Min age 18
Best for ages 18+
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
This former medieval fortress, on the shore of the loch, once was the home of Scotland’s Grant Clan. Built in the 13th century, it was subsequently destroyed by the English in 1692 following the crushing of the Jacobite Rebellion at Culloden. You can watch a film of its history in the visitor centre.
Adult price: £10
Best for ages 8+
Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
|Lucy’s summary of typical foods, ingredients and flavours to try in the Scottish Highlands – and some of the best ‘foodie’ experiences,
Best for ages 13+
Duration: -
Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)
This 13th-century castle – restored in the 19th century – was the traditional seat of Clan Macleod, one of the Highland’s most celebrated clans. It’s filled with Highlands clan history – portraits, weapons, and assorted clan memorabilia and heirlooms.
Adult price: £15
Best for ages 4+
The starting point is Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, which has a small airport with flights from around the UK. Or catch the train; the Caledonian Sleeper runs between London and Inverness. Hire a car here if you haven’t driven north.
Most people complete the route in around seven days. There are several specialist and local companies who will put an itinerary together for you (see our recommendations below). However, it’s not difficult to do the NC500 independently.
The official website has a number of themed itineraries of between 7 to 9 days (you have to pay about £15 to download them). It pays to plan ahead – in the height of summer accommodation can get booked up. Or see Lucy’s 5-day recommended itinerary.
The summer can get very busy, accommodation gets booked up and the road, at times single-lane track with passing places, can become clogged with traffic so if possible avoid the high season and plan your trip for spring or late summer/early autumn.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (UK)
Magnificent mountain scenery slashed by silvery lochs and peppered with brooding castles: all laden with rich Scottish heritage, history and tradition. Drive the NC500 road trip, or ride on the spectacular West Highland Line.