Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
9 Days
TBC
From Only £1,499.00
From iconic castles and cityscapes to breathtaking scenery and rugged natural beauty, you'll embark on the North Coast 500, a journey that spans over five hundred miles and is one of the most beautiful road journeys anywhere in the world.
This holiday operates under our Optimum Experience brand.
With elegant space-maximising interior design, our Optimum Experience vehicle offers incredible passenger comfort with a selection of fine tours and destinations to choose from. Our Optimum holiday packages include a wide range of excursions, events and admissions, accommodation in a minimum 3* hotel (unless otherwise stated) and, on all our European Holidays, a Skills Representative too! Why not also book our door-to-door service and make your next holiday stress-free?
Travel north over the border to an overnight hotel in central Scotland area
We begin our journey along the 'bonnie banks of Loch Lomond', through Glencoe and the start of the Great Glen, where you'll be treated to breathtaking loch and mountain vistas, en route to a late morning visit to Fort William. We continue our scenic drive with a stop at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge 'over the sea to Skye' and our hotel - Kings Arms Hotel, Kyleakin (3*) x 2 nights.
Today we discover the rich history and stunning landscapes of Skye, including the dramatic coastal views of the Cullins, as you explore the island with an experienced guide. Highlights include visits to the 'capital' of Portree and Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of the Mclead Clad
From Skye we head northwards, along the shores of Loch Maree, considered one of the bonniest lochs in Scotland, en route to Wester Ross at the start of the famous North Coast 500 and our next overnight hotel in Gairloch, with its pretty harbour, where you can take in the Highland air surrounded by a landscape rich in wildlife, unspoilt shores, lochs and mountains - Caledonian Hotel, Ullapool (3*) x 1 night
We embark on our draw-dropping journey along the North Coast 500, Scotland's very own version of Route 66. We experience the rugged beauty of Caithness and Sutherland, taking in dramatic cliffs, serene lochs and pristine beaches along the way, with lunch included en route, as we skirt the very top of the UK's Northwest coastline en route to our hotel - Station Hotel or St Clair Hotel, Thurso (3*) x 2 nights
This morning we visit John O'Groats, for that memorable photo opportunity at the what is probably one of the most photographed signs in the UK, at the very top tip of mainland UK marking ‘Journey’s End’, some 874 miles from the southernmost point at Cornwall's Lands End. We return to Thurso for some free time to explore its fine harbour and beach popular with surfers, enjoying views out to Thurso Bay, the Pentland Firth and the island of Orkney. We have also arranged a visit to Wolfburn Distillery this afternoon, where you can discover more about their award-winning collections and witness the inner workings of the distillery, which is one of the most northerly in Scotland and has been distilling Single Malt Scotch Whisky since 1821.
We head down the east coast this morning, passing through historical sites like Helmsdale and Brora, capturing photos of Dunrobin Castle along the way to the Highland capital Inverness, where we have some free time. From here we continue throught the picturesque spey Valley and Drumochter Pass, to our next overnight hotel in the heart of Scotland – Overnight Hotel TBC (min 3*) x 1 night
Our first visit today is for a photo opportunity at the famous Kelpies, which standing at 100 feet tall are the world's largest equine sculptures and one of Scotland's premier attractions. From here we head into Edinburgh, where there will be some free time to explore the Scottish capital, before continuing to our final overnight hotel in the borders – Overnight Hotel TBC (min 3*) x 1 night
After our final Scottish breakfast we head south, back of the border into England and home.
Dating back to the 1600s, the hotel is one of the oldest on the Isle of Skye and has retained many traditional features and gained modern, homely comforts. With panoramic views across the Kyle of Lochalsh to mainland Scotland, this hotel is ideal for relaxing after a long day.
Hotel Facilities
Bar
Restaurant
WiFi
Lift
Built in the early 1900s, the 83-bedroom Caledonian Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the area. It still boasts a quiet, friendly and welcoming atmosphere and pleasant gardens.
Hotel Facilities
Bar
Restaurant
WiFi
Nestled in the heart of the picturesque fishing village of Castletown, this family-operated hotel is perfect for exploring Caithness. With quality ensuite accommodation, the hotel is set in an eighteenth-century property with lots of Scottish charm.
Hotel Facilities
• Bar
• Restaurant
• WiFi
There is no lift at the Caledonian and Castletown hotels, however they do have ground floor rooms subject to availability on request.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alfreton | Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT |
| Arnold | High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE |
| Beeston | Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA |
| Bulwell | Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE |
| Chesterfield | Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH |
| Derby | Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY |
| Heanor | Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG |
| Ilkeston | Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF |
| Leicester | St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG |
| Leicester Fosse Park | Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL |
| Long Eaton | The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ |
| Loughborough | Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE |
| Lutterworth | George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG |
| Mansfield | Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA |
| Nottingham | Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE |
| Ripley | Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ |
| Rotherham | Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB |
| Sheffield | Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG |
| Toton | Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA |
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