Independent Self-Drive Holiday

Sample itinerary

Trip Overview

On our NC500 Classic self-drive tour discover the very best of Highland Scotland, from the rugged Cairngorms to the spectacular watery vistas of the west coast. Explore authentic fishing villages and savour the freshest of seafood on your own personalised journey.
Enjoy this self drive tour in the luxury of a Land Rover, with an on-board app personalised to your itinerary.

Highlights

Flow Country
Traversing Flow Country on day three of your NC 500 Classic tour is one of the longest but loveliest drives of the trip. A vast untouched expanse of protected peatlands, moorland lochs and wetlands supports a diverse range of rare birds in this area of global importance and the first and only peatland UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world.

Assynt
A sublime wilderness of sugarloaf mountain peaks and deserted beaches, Assynt is one of Europe’s last unspoilt corners. Explore empty white powder beaches, sail across the sea to see puffins on Handa Island or jump on a boat trip to Britain’s highest waterfall.

Arctic Convoy Coast
Serene and tranquil Loch Ewe on the west coast played a poignant role in World War II as the Arctic Convoy base from where “the worst journey in the world” was undertaken.
Warmed by the Gulf Stream and blessed with the whitest sand this side of the Caribbean, this Scottish coastal paradise is famed for the subtropical plants of Inverewe Gardens and stunning bays inhabited by sea eagles.

Other highlights:

  • Cairngorms National Park
  • Eilean Donan Castle
  • Ben Nevis
  • Glencoe
  • Loch Lomond
  • Trossachs National Park

Inclusions

  • 7 nights in handpicked quality hotels
  • Breakfast daily
  • Land Rover hire with insurance
  • Personal hand-over of vehicle at your hotel

Optional Extras

  • Game drives/shooting
  • Off-roading
  • Guided Green Lanes Experience

At a glance

7 days
Departing March – October
From AUD$4,468pp
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DAY 1 – Edinburgh to Dunkeld

Delve into Scotland’s fascinating history in the footsteps of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce with a visit to its ancient capital, Stirling, or strike northwards reliving the magic of Outlander on your journey into the Highlands.

Inclusions: Land Rover hire
Overnight: Dunkeld House Hotel (or similar) – 4 Star hotel

Stirling Castle

DAY 2 – Cairngorms National Park

Encounter Britain’s largest national park to reach the epicentre of malt whisky country and the Moray Firth. Pause for reflection at Culloden’s infamous battlefield or detour to picturesque Cromarty and the Black Isle en route for delightful Dornoch.

Inclusions: Land Rover hire
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: 4 Star hotel

Dornoch
Credit: VisitScotland /Paul Tomkins

DAY 3 – Crossing Flow Country

An epic drive across one of Europe’s last great wildernesses and UNESCO World Heritage Site to the most remote and uninhabited corner of Britain’s mainland. Traverse this ice-scoured landscape in comfort at the wheel of your Land Rover.

Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions: Land Rover hire
Overnight: Kylesku Hotel (or similar) – 4 Star hotel

Ardvreck Castle
Credit: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

DAY 4 – Explore unspoilt Assynt

Raw and elemental, Assynt with its plethora of peaks, lochs and deserted beaches never disappoints. Be it on foot, on four wheels or on water, this is an outdoor playground like no other waiting to be explored

Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions: Land Rover hire
Overnight: Kylesku Hotel (or similar) – 4 Star hotel

Cul Beag, Loch Lurgainn
Credit: VisitScotland – Kenny Lam

DAY 5 – Classic coastal scenery

Sit back and enjoy the ride beside a truly superlative stretch of Scottish coastline, pivotal in World War II history. Famed for its sandy beaches, whitewashed cottages and glorious island views set against a jagged mountainous backdrop.

Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions: Land Rover hire
Overnight: Kylesku Hotel (or similar) – 4 Star hotel

Gairloch Beach
Credit: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

DAY 6 – Conquering the Bealach na Ba pass

Take on arguably the most classic drive of the NC500 by conquering the Bealach na Ba pass. Tick off Scotland’s most photographed castle, Eilean Donan, and Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak before retiring to Port Appin, a hidden gem on the west coast.

Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions: Land Rover hire
Overnight: The Pierhouse Hotel (or similar) – 4 Star hotel

Eilean Donan Castle

DAY 7 – Return to Edinburgh

Cruise back to ‘civilisation’ by taking either the ‘high road’ through Glencoe to drive the ‘Skyfall’ road in the tracks of James Bond or the ‘low road’ to the natural beauty of lush Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park where both routes meet.

Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions: Land Rover hire

Loch Lomond
All prices are based on a per person rate based on two people sharing a room and car and are subject to change at any time and without notice.
We reserve the right to increase the tour cost to take into account the following items: government action, currency fluctuations, transportation costs (including the cost of fuel), or any other increase that is beyond our control.
Terms & Conditions apply.  Click to view
Exclusions:
Travel Insurance – we ask that our guests purchase suitable cover in case planned travel is affected or disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances
Flights – all tours are land only within the UK
Transportation, meals and/or sightseeing other than that outlined above.
*Banner Image Credits
Mennock Pass -Visit South West Scotland / Damian Shields
Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve – VisitScotland / Airborne Lens
Stac Pollaidh – VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
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