NC500 Route, Scotland – A 7 Day Whisky Road Trip
A 7 Day Whisky Road Trip On The NC500 (North Coast 500), Scotland
Region and Route Overview
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is Scotland’s ultimate road trip — a 516-mile circular route starting and ending in Inverness, passing through the rugged Highlands, dramatic coastlines, historic castles, and charming villages. While known for its natural beauty, the NC500 is also dotted with boutique and heritage whisky distilleries, including Wolfburn, Scotland’s northernmost mainland distillery. This itinerary focuses on 8 distilleries, including 3 smaller/lesser-known ones, plus a craft brewery, all while staying wallet-conscious.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Inverness to Tain (via Muir of Ord)
Distilleries to Visit
- Glen Ord Distillery – Muir of Ord
Overview: Founded 1838, hidden gem of the Highlands.
Known for: The Singleton of Glen Ord.
Tour: Singleton Experience (£15).
Website: www.malts.com
Contact: +44 1463 872004 - Balblair Distillery – Edderton
Overview: Founded 1790, vintage-style releases.
Known for: Balblair 2005, fruity and sherried malts.
Tour: Classic Tour (£15).
Website: www.balblair.com
Contact: +44 1862 892477
Accommodation
Royal Hotel Tain (£85 per night)
Traditional Highland hospitality, on-site whisky bar.
Website
Dinner Recommendation
Platform 1864, Tain
Dish: Venison pie with whisky gravy (£16).
Website
Scenic Stop
Chanonry Point — spot for bottlenose dolphins.
Driving Details
Inverness → Glen Ord: 30 mins (15 mi).
Glen Ord → Balblair → Tain: 1 hr (35 mi).
Total Distance: ~70 mi
Day 2: Tain to Brora to Wick
Distilleries to Visit
- Glenmorangie Distillery – Tain
Overview: Founded 1843, elegant single malts.
Tour: Original Tour (£20).
Website: www.glenmorangie.com
Contact: +44 1862 892477 - Clynelish Distillery – Brora
Overview: Founded 1819, coastal Highland style.
Tour: Standard Tour (£15).
Website: www.malts.com
Contact: +44 1408 623000
Accommodation
Mackays Hotel, Wick (£85 per night)
Family-run, central, home to the world’s shortest street.
Website
Dinner Recommendation
No. 1 Bistro, Wick
Dish: Whisky-marinated lamb shank (£18).
Website
Scenic Stop
Dunrobin Castle & Gardens — stately home with landscaped grounds (£13.50 entry).
Driving Details
Tain → Brora: 1 hr (40 mi).
Brora → Wick: 1.5 hrs (60 mi).
Total Distance: ~100 mi
Day 3: Wick to Thurso to Tongue
Distilleries to Visit
- Wolfburn Distillery – Thurso
Overview: Founded 2013 (revival).
Known for: Lightly peated Highland whiskies.
Tour: Intro Tour (£12).
Website: www.wolfburn.com
Contact: +44 1847 891051 - North Point Distillery – Thurso
Overview: Founded 2020, whisky & rum.
Tour: Distillery Tour (£10).
Website: www.northpointdistillery.com
Contact: +44 1847 895001
Bonus Craft Brewery
John O’Groats Brewery Taproom
Try: Peat Porter or Lighthouse IPA (£6 tasting flight).
Website
Accommodation
Ben Loyal Hotel, Tongue (£80 per night)
Website
Dinner Recommendation
Tongue Hotel Restaurant
Dish: Highland beef burger with whisky cheddar (£14).
Scenic Stop
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe — ruins perched on sea cliffs.
Driving Details
Wick → Thurso: 45 mins (22 mi).
Thurso → Tongue: 1.5 hrs (55 mi).
Total Distance: ~80 mi
Day 4: Tongue to Durness to Lochinver
No Distillery — Natural Highlights
Accommodation
Inver Lodge Hotel, Lochinver (£85 per night)
Relaxing Highland retreat overlooking Lochinver Bay.
Website
Dinner Recommendation
Peet’s Restaurant, Lochinver
Dish: Smoked salmon and oatcakes (£13).
Scenic Stops
Smoo Cave (Durness) — sea cave with a waterfall, free access.
Ardvreck Castle (Loch Assynt) — ruins of a 16th-century stronghold.
Driving Details
Tongue → Durness: 1.5 hrs (45 mi).
Durness → Lochinver: 1.5 hrs (40 mi).
Total Distance: ~85 mi
Day 5: Lochinver to Ullapool to Gairloch
Distillery to Visit
- Highland Liquor Co. – Ullapool
Overview: Known for Seven Crofts botanical gin, future whisky plans.
Tasting: £5 tasting flight.
Website: www.highlandliquorcompany.com
Contact: +44 1854 612085
Accommodation
Gairloch Hotel (£80 per night)
Seafront views and traditional Highland hospitality.
Website
Dinner Recommendation
The Shieling Restaurant, Gairloch
Dish: Grilled langoustines in whisky butter (£18).
Website
Scenic Stop
Gruinard Bay — pink sand beach with mountain backdrop.
Driving Details
Lochinver → Ullapool: 1.5 hrs (50 mi).
Ullapool → Gairloch: 1.5 hrs (55 mi).
Total Distance: ~105 mi
Day 6: Gairloch to Dingwall to Inverness
Distillery to Visit
- GlenWyvis Distillery – Dingwall
Overview: Community-owned, powered by green energy.
Tour: Spirit of Community Tour (£15).
Known for: GlenWyvis Highland Single Malt.
Website: www.glenwyvis.com
Contact: +44 1349 862005
Accommodation
Blackfriars Inverness (£85 per night)
Stylish and central.
Website
Dinner Recommendation
The Mustard Seed, Inverness
Dish: Whisky-cured Highland venison (£19).
Website
Scenic Stop
Bealach na Bà (optional detour) — one of the UK’s most scenic and dramatic drives.
Driving Details
Gairloch → Dingwall: 2 hrs (75 mi).
Dingwall → Inverness: 30 mins (15 mi).
Total Distance: ~90 mi
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Day 7: Inverness (Optional Extension)
Distillery to Visit
- Tomatin Distillery – south of Inverness
Overview: Known for soft, fruity Highland malts.
Tour: From £15.
Website: www.tomatin.com
Driving Details
Inverness → Tomatin: ~30 mins (15 mi).
Cost Breakdown (Per Person)
- Distillery Tours (8): ~£125
- Brewery Tasting: £6
- Accommodation (7 nights): ~£560
- Meals (14 main meals): ~£180
- Fuel (~550 miles): ~£90
- Other Expenses: ~£25
Total Estimate: ~£986
Tips and Notes
- Best Time to Travel: May–September for long daylight and open distilleries.
- Road Conditions: Many single-track roads — use passing places and take care.
- Ferries: Not required unless detouring to islands.
- Booking Advice: Reserve accommodation and tours 4–6 weeks in advance.
- Responsible Tasting: Always nominate a designated driver or use spittoons.
This 7-day NC500 whisky journey blends Highland beauty with whisky heritage, mixing famous names with hidden gems and even a craft brewery. Slàinte mhath!
These travel guides are designed to give you a start point or framework to create your own trip, allowing you to use as much or as little as you wish. We recommend doing your own research, particularly checking opening times and costs, as well as personalising your visits to best suit your tastes.
Our UK Whisky Bars Map & List may come in useful!
