The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile scenic route along Scotland’s northern coast, offering drivers rugged landscapes, sandy beaches, wildlife, museums, castles, whisky distilleries, and so much more! If you are planning to road trip around this scenic area of the Scottish Highlands, you may be wanting to spend the night at some special North Coast 500 hotels.

Castle hotels. Historic Georgian and Victorian mansions. Luxury guest houses. Old crofts and farmhouses. Romantic B&B’s. Sea and lochside cottages. All of these and more are possible, but it can be time-consuming to search and choose from the hundreds of properties along the route. So we’ve done it for you, providing a list of over 25 personally recommended North Coast 500 hotels that are well-rated, well-located, and/or offer something unique or special.

Our list includes everything from 5-star luxury castles to cozy family-run B&Bs, with information, a review, and tips provided for each of the properties. We also provide you with additional advice such as how far in advance to book hotels, what to expect from NC500 hotels, and how much to budget for North Coast 500 accommodation.

So let’s get on with finding you the perfect North Coast 500 hotels for your ultimate Scottish road trip!

Tips for Booking North Coast 500 Hotels

We’ll share a bit of what to expect of hotels along the North Coast 500, what not to expect, how far in advance to book, and other tips for choosing and booking hotels along the NC500.

What Amenities to expect at NC500 hotels? 

Like elsewhere in the UK, most hotels are going to include all the basic essentials like TVs, basic toiletries, and en-suite bathrooms. Most also include in-room kettles or coffee makers. Heated towel racks and even heated floors are pretty common and you can find rooms with working fireplaces at some properties.

Most NC500 hotel rates include a breakfast, which is often a choice of a cooked Scottish breakfast (eggs, meats, tomato, toast) or more simple continental one. Almost all are able to provide a vegetarian breakfast as well. Many hotels and some B&B’s offer a dinner option as well given the lack of nighttime dining options in many of the small towns.

If you book lodging along the North Coast 500 that does not include a dinner option, be sure to check on evening dining options BEFORE you arrive. Sometimes in small towns and rural areas, the nearest option for a hot meal may be a 20 to 35 minute drive away, so you will want to plan ahead. 

Free on-site parking is almost always provided, although you may want to check in larger towns (e.g., Ullapool and Inverness). Free wireless internet is also available at most, but not all, North Coast 500 hotels; however, in many hotels the WiFi is only available in the public areas.

We have almost always had good hospitality and friendly service in Scotland and this has been true whether staying at a luxury castle hotel or a small 2-room bed-and-breakfast. The friendliest service can often be found at the smaller family-run spots.

If you are planning to stay in hostels or budget hotels, you may need to share bathroom facilities, bring your own linens and towels, bring your own food for meals, etc. Just be sure to check the website or with the property to know what to expect and be prepared. For those staying in self-catering properties, be sure to plan where you’ll pick up groceries and supplies as not all towns have grocery stores or shops.

What NOT to expect from hotels along the North Coast 500? 

If you have traveled in rural Europe before, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. There are exceptions of course, but here are some general things you should NOT expect along the North Coast 500.

Chain hotels. If you are used to staying in big chain hotels (e.g., Hilton, Sheraton) or budget chain motels (e.g., Travelodge), you won’t find many along this route. The norm is 4 to 20 room independent hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, historical properties, and boutique hotels, and each tends to have its own unique character and quirks. To us, this is refreshing and part of the travel experience, but may be a bit off-putting to those used to staying in one particular type of property.

Strong Wifi connections. Connections are typically good in Inverness but after you leave this city, expect less consistent WiFi. This is for a couple of reasons. First, many of the North Coast 500 hotels are historical properties and many have very thick walls, making good and steady WiFi connections difficult. In these cases, WiFi is often only usable in the public areas. Second, most of the lodging options are in rural and remote spots where the quality of available Internet options is limited.

We had good WiFi connections at some places, but not others. We never went more than 24 hours without finding a WiFi connection at a hotel, cafe, or museum so we were always able to at least check our emails. If WiFi is important to you, I’d read hotel reviews about it before booking, but I would just not count on super fast WiFi anywhere to avoid disappointment.

If you really need to get online for something important and can’t get online, hotel staff at most places should be able to get you online from a wired connection at the front desk. Some areas along the NC500 have gained access to high-speed WIFI connections and more communities expect to do so in the near future, so coverage will likely improve in many spots over the next few years.

Consistent cell coverage. Like the WiFi connection, expect your cell phone coverage to be spotty in the more remote areas. Your coverage and signal strengths will vary and will depend on your provider, but expect to lose service in some areas. If you have no signal at your hotel, most hotels provide in-room phones with reasonable rates.

Enormous rooms. If you are used to traveling in the U.S., hotel rooms on average are smaller in Europe compared to the United States, and many of the hotels along the NC500 are historical properties built before the time of indoor plumbing and electricity. Although we did have spacious rooms on our trip, do expect smaller rooms and especially smaller bathrooms than you might be used to in the U.S. If you want a larger room, book a premium room or suite. 

Elevators. Elevators in Scottish hotels are rare, especially along the North Coast 500. So this means that if you choose to stay in a fourth floor tower room, you’ll likely be lugging your luggage up windy narrow staircases. In nicer hotels staff should be available to assist you with your luggage you but you’ll still need to walk up and down the stairs.

Accessibility. Those in wheelchairs and those with mobility difficulties are wise to check ahead to make sure the lodging can accommodate their needs and to book rooms that have good access. Many of the larger hotels (especially more newly built ones) offer at least one or two accessible rooms, but most of the small bed-and-breakfasts and historical hotels are not able to offer fully accessible rooms.

Many lodging options around the North Coast 500 offer guest rooms that can accommodate a wheelchair with step-free access and wide doorways, but do not have fully wheelchair accessible bathrooms (e.g., an enclosed shower that requires a step up). So these may work for those who have limited mobility, but would not work for someone who requires a roll-in shower or wet room.

Many of the hotels and B&Bs we have talked to say that for those who require accessible rooms should be sure to book in advance and early. Most properties with wheelchair-accessible rooms only have one room and these can book up well in advance. Some hotels suggest calling the day before your arrival to ensure that ramps are put out for your stay.

In our hotel reviews, have tried to note which hotels offer wheelchair-accessible rooms, but I’d definitely check the latest property details before booking. Some hotels may need to be contacted in advance to ensure that ramps are put out for your arrival and stay.

If you don’t find the hotel or B&B you are looking for in this article and are searching for a wheelchair accessible hotel, hostel, or B&B in a certain area along the route, feel free to leave us a comment in the Comments section at the end of the post and we will try to help. We do keep a list of notes on lodging that has disabled access and wheelchair accessible rooms.

Are there many dog-friendly hotels along the North Coast 500?

Yes, there are many hotels along the North Coast 500 that accept dogs. In fact, I think over 50% of our recommended hotels and B&Bs do accept well-behaved pets. We have tried to note which hotels are dog friendly and which do not accept pets, but I’d definitely check the latest pet policy before booking.

Just note that most hotels require that you inform them that you are bringing a pet as generally, they have only certain guest rooms for pet owners. Many also charge a small pet fee per pet per stay.

Many hotels require that someone be in the room with the pet at all times. Most do not allow pets in the dining areas, but a few do have dining areas or bars where well-behaved pets are permitted.

Note if you prefer B&Bs, it is harder to find B&Bs that accept dogs along the route, but you can still find them for most areas. A lot of holiday home rentals and North Coast 500 campsites do accept pets and a lot of people with dogs prefer the flexibility of camping with their pets.

How far in advance should I book North Coast 500 hotels? 

I would recommend that you start researching lodging options as soon as you know your dates. I would book at least 3 months in advance if possible. Staff at several of the busiest properties recommended to us that travelers should try to book 6 months in advance to guarantee a room as they had some dates fully booked 6 to 9 months in advance.

Now, six months is a pretty long time in advance so don’t worry if you just decided to drive the NC500 and it is 2 months away, you’ll still find plenty of places with availability, but start booking now. Just note that the most in-demand properties and the best value ones often get booked up well in advance.

The busiest time along the North Coast 500 is May to October with weekends being the most busy. During the mid-May to early September period, we would NOT recommend driving around without reservations unless you are not concerned about the type of lodging or where you stay.

Also be aware of festivals, Highlands gatherings, holidays (Christmas and Hogmanay), and other special events as these can cause entire areas to be booked out well in advance given the relatively limited amount of lodging in many of the towns. For example, we were not able to stay within an hour’s drive of Durness as we wanted even though our accommodation was booked months in advance because there was a marathon taking place.

Although summer is the busiest time, given that many North Coast 500 hotels are seasonal, it can still be difficult to find last-minute accommodation any time of the year as over the winter you have fewer options. When we traveled this past winter, we were booking about 3 days to 1 week in advance without an issue.

Can I just Drive the NC500 and Book Accommodation as I go?

Can you get away with not booking in advance? Yes, but it may make for a more stressful trip if you are having to hunt for a place to stay each night.

During our trip, we heard lots of stories of people having to significantly overpay, drive an hour out of their way, or even sleep in their car due to not having pre-booked accommodation. Although a few of the larger properties often have rooms available for more last-minute bookings, you’ll often pay higher rates for these if you wait until the last minute and will have little to no choice in room category.

If you are the kind of person who doesn’t want to commit to being in a certain place at a certain time, consider camping or at least bringing camping gear as a backup plan. See this NC500 camping itinerary for a suggested itinerary and camping advice. We also have a complete and list of campsites and glamping sites on the NC500.

If the flexibility of a campervan appeals, there are also a number of places to rent campervans or RVs in Inverness. If you do rent a campervan, I would recommend getting the smallest size you need as some sideroads are not accessible to larger vehicles.

If you are planning on renting a campervan, we recommend using Motorhome Republic. They compare prices across the major rental firms in the UK to find the best price for you. You can book your campervan for the UK through them here.

How much should I expect to pay for North Coast 500 hotels? 

This really depends on what type of hotel you want to stay in and your budget as you’ll find a large range of accommodation along the route from hostels to simple inns to boutique B&Bs to luxury castle hotels.

So budget backpackers should be able to find a place to sleep for £20 to £30 per night and luxury seekers may pay up to £300 or more per night. But you’ll find lots of accommodation in the £70 to £180 range for a double room. Some of the NC500 hotels offer discounts for those booking multiple nights, and off-season rates can be 20% to 50% off high season rates.

Other NC500 Hotel Tips

• Book well in advance (worth repeating!), especially if there are certain hotels you really want to stay at or you have a strict budget.

• Note that most North Coast 500 hotels (and many places in the Scottish Highlands) don’t have exact addresses which can confuse some GPS systems. Most don’t have street numbers and sometimes they don’t even have a street. But don’t worry, it just means that they are located in a rural spot or small town and are generally easy to find once you get there. 

• There are a lot of properties in Scotland with the same or similar names, and there are even a few properties along the NC500 with very similar names (e.g., Mackays Hotel in Wick and Mackay’s in Durness). Be very sure that the area your GPS is taking you matches with where the hotel you reserved should be located!

• A note on official hotel ratings. In Scotland, the two main rating systems for hotels are the Automobile Association (the AA does UK wide ratings) and those from VisitScotland, the Scottish Tourism Board. Both parties rate some of the hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Scotland from one to five stars (five stars being the highest) so you may see two different ratings for the same property. However, we have not always found these ratings to be entirely useful. So I would use them as a guide as you would for any rating system from AAA to Tripadvisor. We find it best to focus on recent customer reviews.

• Don’t sweat the small things. Remember that some of the NC500 properties are operating in pretty isolated areas. Know that bad weather, a blocked road, or staff illness can really affect hotels along this route. If the promised WiFi isn’t working or there is no fresh melon for breakfast, these things may not be in control of the hotel staff. Don’t let the small things ruin a wonderful North Coast 500 road trip!

• Take the time to talk to the staff and owners. Most staff will be happy to chat with you, so take advantage of it to learn more about the property, the area, and their recommendations for what to do in the area. You’ll likely discover some new spots to add to your itinerary.

Where to find more information about the North Coast 500?

First, I’d recommend reading our North Coast 500 road trip guide, which has all the information you need about the route, how to drive it, when to drive it, where to rent a car, what to pack, etc. You can also find loads of information from the official North Coast 500 official visitor website, which has advice and route information.

Next, we recommend checking out our detailed 1 week North Coat 500 itinerary that includes detailed information about the recommended route, main attractions along the route, dining options, and recommended lodging for each day.

We also have lots of other North Coast 500 guides, including a recommended 7 day camping itinerary, a list of our favorite NC500 B&B’s, a list of North Coast 500 highlights that you’ll want to consider adding to your own itinerary, a list of reasons to drive the NC500 route, and this guide to best North Coast 500 photography spots. 

You may also want to pick up a copy of the latest edition of the Rough Guide guidebook to the North Coast 500, and a good Scotland touring map for your trip. If you start in Inverness, you can also stop by the Inverness Visitor Center where you can find printed maps and ask staff for information on planning your trip. 

Over 25 Recommended North Coast 500 Hotels 

Now let’s move onto a list of actual lodging options along the NC500 shall we? These hotels were chosen for inclusion on our list for one or more of the following 3 reasons: 1) they offer a unique experience (e.g., castle, historical building), 2) they are exceptionally well-rated, and/or 3) they are well-located along the route. Most on the list meet all 3 criteria!

We are not recommending any place we would not spend the night, and we have stayed the night in a large number of the hotels on this list and have visited almost all of them to either check out the rooms, have a drink at their bars, or a meal in their restaurant. In terms of budget most fall in the mid-range to luxury category with most rooms ranging from about £80 to £270.

If you are looking for budget stays, only a couple of places in this list are likely be a good fit; however, if you a budget traveler looking for one special splurge stay along your trip, this list should help you find it!

If you are primarily looking for B&B’s, check out this list of B&B’s along the NC500 route which range from simple to luxury B&Bs and generally fall in the budget to mid-range.

So let’s move onto the North Coast 500 hotels which are arranged in order as you go along the route. We put the hotels in the order in which we drove the NC500 so starting and ending in Inverness and following the route counterclockwise (east to west) although you can of course start the route in any place and go in either direction. Just reverse the list as needed. Hopefully this guide will help you choose hotels for your special NC500 road trip!

The map below shows the hotel locations along the NC500. Click here or on the map below for a closer look and to see exact locations of the recommended North Coast 500 hotels: 

North Coast 500 Hotels: Inverness

Inverness is known as the Capital of the Highlands and as the largest city in the Highlands, you’ll find the largest number and range of accommodation here. This is a common starting and ending point for North Coast 500 travelers, and a good place to pick up a rental car if you need one. This is also the best place along the route to stock up on any needed supplies for your trip.

Note that since this is a city (although a small one), most properties are going to be located next to a street and may not be able to offer rooms with scenic views.

Kingsmills Hotel  

The Kingsmills Hotel is a 4-star luxury hotel located just 20 minutes from the Inverness Airport, boasting two restaurants, a whisky bar, a leisure club (gym and pool), a spa, and six different types of room choices.

The hotel took its name from a former medieval grain mill that once sat on the same site, and part of the main building of the Kingmills Hotel is over 200 years old. The hotel furnishings mix the contemporary with the historical. Offering golf packages for 5 Scottish golf courses, the hotel is perfect for golfers as it sits next door to the Inverness Golf Club which we were able to see from our balcony. 

As noted the hotel offers a variety of different room types, but we actually stayed in the Kingsclub rooms which are exclusive rooms in a more modern building that are designed for guests who want a more quiet and secluded experience. Perks of these rooms include a complimentary welcome drink, complimentary tea and coffee, access to a private lounge, luxury bathroom products, fluffy robes, a cooked-to-order breakfast, and a number of other little extras.

We had a very delightful one-night stay here with a refreshing welcome drink and a tasty Scottish breakfast. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £80 – £280 per night for double occupancy, with Classic rooms being the lowest priced and Kingsclub rooms being the most expensive. Check Kingsmills Hotel prices here and book online.

Address: Culcabock Road, Inverness, Scotland, IV2 3LP

Location: The hotel is located about 20 minutes from Inverness Airport and a 10 minute drive from the main central Inverness attractions. Great spot for golfers as it is located right next to the Inverness Golf Club. 

Dog Friendly?: Pets were allowed in certain bedrooms at last check and there is a pet fee of £20 per dog. Be sure to note that you have a pet when making your booking.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel currently offers 6 wheelchair accessible guest rooms with wheelchair accessible en-suite bathrooms. Two of the guest rooms have bathrooms with wet rooms. This hotel a great option to consider for those who need a wheelchair accessible room.

Tips: The Kingsmills Hotel has a lot of rooms, so if you are looking for something specific (e.g., view of golf course, ground floor Classic), I would call to request it as they can probably find something for you. If noise bothers you, ask for a room furthest from the road. Book in advance for best prices.

Rocpool Reserve Hotel  

The Rocpool Reserve Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel located in a beautifully renovated Georgian mansion house in Inverness. The property offers an experience that is a mix between a bed-and-breakfast and a full-service hotel.

Offering 11 rooms across four categories, this chic boutique hotel with modern decor is perfect for anyone looking for a refined getaway. Amenities include large beds, deep baths, rainshowers, luxury bathroom products, Egyptian cotton bedlinen, and velvet bathrobes and slippers. 

Some rooms have a private outdoor terrace or balcony with hot tub. The hotel also has a stylish cocktail bar and popular restaurant. Definitely a place to consider if looking for a cocktail in Inverness before dinner.

We have not stayed here, but had drinks at the bar and dinner at the hotel restaurant Chez Roux and can highly recommend the food and service here. The chef uses fresh Scottish ingredients to make dishes with a French twist, and even if you are not spending the night here, we’d recommend making a reservation if you are looking for a nice dinner out while in Inverness. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £200 – £400 per night for double occupancy. Check Rocpool Reserve Hotel prices here to find the best rates.

Address: 14 Culduthel Road, Inverness IV2 4AG

Location: Hotel is located about a 20 minute drive from Inverness Airport and about an 8 minute walk from the center of Inverness. Great location to feel a bit out of the center (we saw deer here in the morning) but within a quick walk of all the central Inverness attractions.

Dog Friendly?: Pets were allowed at no extra fee at last check. Be sure to note you have a pet when booking.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully wheelchair accessible guest rooms. However, there are ground floor rooms that may work for those with limited mobility who do not require a fully accessible bathroom. There is ramp access to the hotel, restaurant, and there is a wheelchair-accessible public guest toilet. Wheelchair users are asked to call ahead before arrival to ensure ramps are in place and staff is available to assist if needed.

Tips: Book well in advance, especially in the summer months. Even if you can’t stay here, highly recommend stopping by for a cocktail in the bar and/or a meal in the restaurant. Also note that there is a similarly named Rocpool Restaurant (unrelated to the hotel) in the city center of Inverness on Ness Walk, so just be sure you head to the correct one! 

Bunchrew House Hotel 

The Bunchrew House Hotel is a 4-star luxury hotel located in a partially pink 17th century baronial country home. It is located just outside Inverness, and has a wooded riverside location along the Beauly Firth.

This full-service country house hotel offers 16 guest rooms. Rooms are individually decorated and offer modern amenities. Some rooms have four poster beds and/or whirlpool baths. The hotel also has a popular fine dining restaurant, bar, and lounge area.  

The hotel is beautifully situated out of the city for a peaceful stay and it offers nice views on a good weather day. A great place for couple looking for a romantic break.

We did not eat dinner here as we had already had dinner prior to arrival and we arrived too late to have afternoon tea. We did order sandwiches, enjoy drinks in the lounge, and had breakfast the next morning, but we wish would have had dinner here as well as other guests had really good things to say about the food. Next time! 

Price: Room rates typically range from £129 – £480 per night for double occupancy. Rates are much higher in the summer months. Check hotel prices here to find the best rates.

Address: Bunchrew House, Inverness IV3 8TA

Location: Hotel is located about a 25 minute drive from Inverness Airport and about a 10 minute drive from the center of Inverness. Great location for those with a car who want to be a bit out of the city but still within close reach. 

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request in some rooms. Charges may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one wheelchair accessible room with a roll-in shower that is suitable for most wheelchairs.

Tips: The food is well rated here, so we’d recommend enjoying dinner if you stay here. If you enjoy traditional afternoon teas, this hotel serves one of the best in the Inverness area. Tea is available to both hotel guests as well as non-guests (reservations needed), just be sure to book your tea time in advance.

Apartments, Private Rooms, & Self-Catering Cottages along the North Coast 500

If you fancy self-catering apartments, houses, cottages, or private rooms during your North Coast 500 trip, there are a number of vacation rentals along the route.

If searching for a holiday home along the route, I’d recommend checking out Sykes Holiday Cottages, apartments and holiday homes on Booking, and Vrbo. These are four websites that generally have the most holiday home listings along the North Coast 500 route.

We have more recommendations in our guide to holiday home websites in the UK here. You can also check out our list of Airbnb alternatives for other websites to check.

Apartments and spare rooms along the North Coast 500 are not as plentiful as they are in other parts of the UK since most of this stretch is through small towns and countryside but you will find them scattered along the route.

Staying in cozy bed-and-breakfasts, historical properties, and luxury castles was part of the experience we wanted on our North Coast 500 journey, so we didn’t use apartments or self-catering options much. However, we did take an apartment for one night in Inverness, and as the largest city in the Highlands, it is where you’ll find the most options. We also booked a cottage for a 3-night cottage stay along the West coast. But even most of the hotel booking sites like Booking share apartments and you can search for them here. 

Prices: Many apartments and rooms range from £45 to £150 per night, with private rooms being the most common type of accommodation being available. For self-catering holiday homes, properties are often rented by the week and most range from between £250 to £2,000 per week.

Location: Various locations along the North Coast 500 route, but the highest number and most variety of properties are located in Inverness and surrounds.

Tips: Carefully read descriptions and reviews on any booking site to minimize surprises. Also, double-check the location before booking as some properties may be a good 1 hour drive from where you want to be as some of the roads require slow speeds.

We’d also recommend booking in advance of your trip. Although many people book properties fairly last-minute, your choices will likely be pretty small if you wait, especially if traveling between May and August.

If you are booking last minute, we recommend Snaptrip, which specializes in last minute rentals of this kind.

Boath House Hotel

Boath House is a 5-star luxury country house hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant located about 20 minutes east of Inverness along the Moray Firth coast. Some of the buildings on the property date back to the 16th century although the main house was built in the nineteenth century and is a Grade A listed Georgian Mansion.

The hotel offers nine well-appointed rooms and is known for its changing collections of contemporary art. The restaurant highlights local and foraged ingredients and accepts booking for non-guests. The 22 acre estate also has an ornamental lake, streams, and beautiful walled gardens.

We didn’t stay here but we did visit and during our short visit we accidentally met one of the owners and her son, who were both hard at work on the property. It was clear to us that this family-run hotel is intimate, relaxed, and there is a great attention to detail here. The staff can also arrange bespoke tours for guests.

The location is not ideal for those wanting a central Inverness location, but is a beautiful location for those looking for a luxury stay outside the city.

Price: Room rates typically range from £285 – £450 per night for double occupancy. Check Boath House Hotel prices here to find the best rates.

Address: Auldearn, Nairn IV12 5TE

Location: The hotel is about 2.5 miles from Nairn and 20 miles (35 minutes) east of Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request in some rooms. Charges may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms, but one of the hotel cottages provides step-free accessible and wide doorways that can work for some wheelchair users. 

Tips: Be sure to leave time to explore the property and gardens, and I would definitely take the opportunity to have dinner here if you spend the night. Boath House is a convenient location for visiting Fort George, Cawdor Castle, and the championship golf courses in nearby Nairn and Castle Stuart.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Dingwall to Tain

If you are staying in Inverness, you are unlikely to need to stop on this short stretch. However, you may want to spend the day golfing in the area or exploring the Black Isle, in which case these castle hotels or B&B may make a great stay for the night.

This is the best section of the route to stay in one of the North Coast 500 castle hotels, as you have three to choose from here! Tulloch Castle or Kincraig Castle are also well-situated for stops on the last day of your NC500 road trip and can make a great final night stay before heading into Inverness.

The Factor’s House

The Factor’s House is a well rated 5-star boutique B&B found in the historic town of Cromarty on the Black Isle. The B&B offers lovely en-suite accommodation and magnificent views across the Cromarty Firth.

It also appears in the Michelin guide and has been awarded a AA rosette for its food. The made-to-order award winning cooked breakfasts focus on locally sourced and organic produce. Evening meals are also available on some days of the week.

We received a friendly welcome from Fiona. She prepared coffee and little cakes for us after our arrival, which was a nice warm-up after getting cold sitting on the beaches watching the dolphins at nearby Chanonry Point.

We loved the comfortable rooms, warm welcome with coffee, and delicious breakfast here. There are lots of little extra touches here that make this a special B&B stay. It is our favorite place to stay on the Black Isle. Handmade soaps and crafts are also available for purchase.

Guests also have access to a private lounge which offers a log fire in winter as well as a licensed honesty bar. Handmade soaps and crafts are also available for purchase. There’s WiFi throughout the property, free parking on site, and it’s a short walk down into Cromarty where you’ll find a variety of pubs and eateries.

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £145 per night for double occupancy. Check The Factor House prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Denny Road, Cromarty Scotland IV11 8YT

Location: The B&B is located in Cromarty, about a 12 minute walk from the town center. It is about 24 miles (~ 45 minute drive) northwest of Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The bed-and-breakfast does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, it does have ground floor rooms with step-free access that can work for those with reduced mobility.

Tips: If you want to eat dinner here, be sure to book in advance. There are also a few cafe and restaurant options in town that are a short walk (or even shorter drive) from the B&B.

Tulloch Castle Hotel

Tulloch Castle offers 20 ensuite bedrooms to guests in a former castle with sections dating back to the 12th century. Originally the home of the Bain family, the barons of Tulloch, it is best known as the former seat of Clan Davidson and today houses a small Davidson museum that contains information and artifacts from the clan. The castle has a lively history and you can uncover a lot of interesting stories and tales during a stay here.

The castle has been significantly rebuilt and remodeled over the centuries but still retains many historical features such as original fireplaces and fixtures, a 250-year-old Great Hall, and a small “dungeon room” used for intimate dinners and meetings. The hotel also has a full-service restaurant, a bar, and a reception lounge with a fireplace.

This is not a luxury castle hotel, but it is has a lot of ambiance and is in the process of a major renovation to modernize all its rooms. We enjoyed our night here and felt it was good value for a stay in such a historical property.

Price: Room rates typically range from £90 – £200 per night for double occupancy. Check Tulloch Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Tulloch Castle Drive, Dingwall, Ross-Shire IV15 9ND

Location: The hotel is located in Dingwall, about 2 miles from the town center. It is about 16 miles (~30 minute drive) north of Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request. Pet fees may be charged.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The castle hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms, but it does have one ground floor room that may work for some travelers with reduced mobility.

Tips: The lowest priced rooms are good value (often under £100), but these rooms are fairly small and cozy (see our photo). If you are looking for the best and largest rooms, ask for one of the 4-poster bed rooms or the apartment.

Even if you are not staying here, if you are a Davidson, be sure to stop at the small Clan Davidson museum at Tulloch Castle as it is worth a look around. The museum is normally locked but someone at reception can let you inside. Dingwall is a good place to stop for food, fuel, and other services and there is also the Dingwall Museum, a small town history museum run by friendly volunteers.

Kincraig Castle Hotel 

Kincraig Castle Hotel is a 4-star hotel set in an early nineteenth century castle. The castle was once the ancestral seat of the Clan MacKenzie, and the estate dates back to the early seventeenth century. The sandstone exterior of the Kincraig Castle was converted into the white-harled Scottish baronial building of today in the early twentieth century.

The hotel’s 15 rooms blend traditional Scottish with contemporary decor with some rooms offering unique elements such as fireplaces, turreted details, and antique 4 poster beds. The hotel also has a well-rated restaurant (open to non-guests), a bar, and a guest lounge. 

The staff members here are friendly, the castle has some wonderful history, the rooms are comfortable and well-decorated, and the grounds are well-tended. Our visit made us wish we had an extra night along the NC500 to spend here.

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £300 per night for double occupancy. Check Kincraig Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Tomich, Invergordon, Ross-Shire, IV18 0LF

Location: The hotel is located just off the A9, about 3 miles from Invergordon. It is about 23 miles (~35 minute drive) from Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request in some rooms. Pet fees may be charged.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: Kincraig Castle offers one ground floor room that is wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair accessible bathroom and shower.

Tips: Be sure to book a room in advance, especially if looking for a certain type of room during the summer. Even if you don’t spend the night, you might consider booking a meal here or stopping in for a drink, especially if staying around Invergordon.

Mansfield Castle Hotel 

Mansfield Castle Hotel is a traditional county house hotel set in a 19th century Victorian castle hotel. The hotel offers 19 rooms that are individually decorated and set about in a maze of hallways. Rooms are each individually decorated and offer a mix of traditional and contemporary decor. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant and bar. 

We had a comfortable stay here and had a pub style dinner in the hotel restaurant. It is not a luxury castle hotel but we had a very comfortable stay and the property is well-situated off the road with landscaped gardens away from the town center. But it is also close enough that you can easily walk into town.

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £249 per night for double occupancy with breakfast. Check Mansfield Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Scotsburn Road, Tain IV19 1PR

Location: The hotel is located within the small town of Tain, a 8 minute walk from the town center. It is about 35 miles (~50 minute drive) from Inverness.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed, note it when booking. Charges may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible guest rooms. However, it can provide step-free access via the garden to one of the guest rooms, but the bathroom is not fully wheelchair accessible. 

Tips: If you want the best room, you can pay a little extra to book the “Executive Room” (also known as the “honeymoon room”). The Tower Room is great for families. You can easily walk into Tain from the castle where you’ll find a small museum (Tain Through Time), a couple of places to eat, a small supermarket, and a Tesco.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Dornoch to Brora

Little Dornoch is a great place to overnight with a grand old cathedral, castle, and walkable city center. It is also home to one of the oldest and best-rated golf courses in the world. Just a little north is the town of Brora which is also a nice town to stop that is also popular with golfers. Both towns are near the popular Dunrobin Castle.

Links House

The Links House is a 5-star luxury hotel that has won awards for being one of the best luxury hotels and golf hotels in the Scottish Highlands. Here you’ll find beautiful public rooms full of tartan, period antiques, vintage sporting equipment, and artwork that will make you think you’ve wandered into a Scottish country house from the 19th century.

The property has recently expanded and the now 14 rooms are situated across three buildings: a Georgian Main House, built in 1843, a former mews house, and a new building that opened in 2017. All rooms and suites include period antiques, heated bathroom floors, writing desks, reading chairs, bathrobes, and luxury toiletries.

Public areas include a drawing room, wood-paneled library with a fireplace, a single-malt whisky honor bar, a garden, and Sporting Bothy for guests to store raingear and sporting equipment.

The restaurant serves breakfast to guests (included in room rates), and both hotel guests and visitors can also book dinner and afternoon teas. We’ve had afternoon tea here and it was a very much needed pleasant break during a rainy day.

This is a popular hotel for golfers, as the hotel is adjacent to the 1st tee at Royal Dornoch Championship Golf Course (one of Scotland’s oldest and top rated courses) and you only have to walk a minute outside to start a round of golf! 

This hotel caters mainly to golfers, anglers, and hunters, but if you are looking for a 5-star stay or fine dining experience in Dornoch during your NC500 road trip Links House is your place! 

Price: Room rates typically range from £270 – £725 per night for double occupancy. Check latest prices online here.

Address: Links House at Royal Dornoch, Golf Rd, Dornoch IV253LW

Location: A 7 minute walk to Cathedral Square (central Dornoch) and the Dornoch Championship Golf Course is a 1 minute walk away. 

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The luxury hotel does not have offer any fully accessible rooms, but 2 ground floor rooms in the Glenshiel House may work for some wheelchair users. There is a small lip to access the shower. A ramp can be placed for access to the public rooms of the main house.

Tips: In addition to booking your room well in advance, be sure to book any tee times at Royal Dornoch Golf Club (and other area courses) to make sure you get a tee time on your date(s) of choice.

If you are seeking the best room at Links House, The Mallart luxury apartment has its own private library, a peat-burning fireplace, breakfast porch, and a large bathroom suite! If the Links House is above your price range but you want to visit, the afternoon tea and dinners both get great reviews, just be sure to book in advance.

Dornoch Castle Hotel

If you are looking for a Scottish castle to stay in while in Dornoch, then the 3-star Dornoch Castle Hotel is the place for you. The oldest parts of this former castle are believed to date from the last 15th century and it sits right in the center of town across from the 13th century Dornoch Cathedral.

The castle has quite a history and was originally built as a palace for bishops, then was the long-term property of the Sutherland family until 1922. In latter years it was used as a jail, a school, a courthouse, and other functions before being turned into a hotel in 1947.

Today you’ll find 22 rooms, some in the original parts of the castle and some in the adjacent modern building with room types to suit a variety of tastes. Some are reminiscent of a castle whereas others have a modern decor, and all include all the essentials for a comfortable stay. Public spaces include the award-winning whisky bar with fireplace, an upstairs lounge, restaurant, and garden.

We did not stay here but we did check out the rooms with one of the friendly staff members, and had dinner in the restaurant which we can definitely recommend (the venison was excellent!).

One awkward thing about the hotel is that the reception check-in is currently located in the bar which can be crowded, so it can be a bit confusing and hopefully something that the hotel will clarify in the future.

Even if you are staying elsewhere, this is one of the most lively places in town for a dram of whisky or dinner.

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £325 per night for double occupancy. Check Dornoch Castle Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Castle Street, Dornoch IV253SD

Location: Located in the center of small Dornoch, right across from the Cathedral. It is an 8-minute walk or 1 minute drive to the Royal Dornoch golf courses.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The castle hotel does not offer any fully accessible rooms within the old main building; however, 2 of the garden rooms in the modern extension are wheelchair accessible with roll-in showers. 

Tips: If you really want to feel like you are in a castle, I’d recommend booking the Old Courtroom Deluxe Room with its stone walls, open fireplace, handcarved wood bed, and views of Dornoch Cathedral.

Note that there are a lot of stairs for the tower and upstairs rooms, and if you have limited mobility I’d recommend a ground floor or garden room. Don’t miss the Peter Pan statue in the garden, and if you want to know the full (and strange and complicated) history of the castle, ask the reception for a printout of the “Dornoch Castle Hotel brief history” (a 12 page document!).

Royal Marine Hotel

The Royal Marine Hotel is a 4-star hotel in the small town of Brora. The building was built as a a mansion home for a wealthy industrialist in 1913 and was designed by Scottish architect Sir Robert Lorimer, who also did work on nearby Dunrobin Castle. It is located next to the Brora Golf Club and Brora Beach.

The hotel offers 21 comfortable en-suite rooms and three places to eat: a formal dining room, a more relaxed bistro bar, and The Garden Room. You can see the lovely design details by Lorimer in the entrance hall, formal dining room, paneled snooker room, and the grand staircase.

Our room was comfortable, and we decided to eat here and had dinner in the dining room. We enjoyed our dinner as well as our breakfast the next morning. The hotel lounge area had a fire and is a nice place to relax before or after dinner.

This is a very popular spot for golfers and those planning a visit to nearby Dunrobin Castle. Walking distance to Brora Golf Club, the beach, and the town center.

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £280 per night for double occupancy. Check Royal Marine Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: 7 Golf Road, Brora KW9 6QS

Location: Located in Brora, about a 3 minute walk from town center. It is a 3 minute walk to the Brora Golf Club. About a 10 minute drive to Dunrobin Castle.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request. Pet fees may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one fully wheelchair accessible guest room.

Tips: For best rates, book online in advance. If you want the best room, book the Honeymoon Suite with 4-poster bed. 

North Coast 500 Hotels: Wick to John O’ Groats 

This northeast corner of Scotland is a rocky, windy coastal area with some good potential for wildlife viewing (seabirds, whales) and there are also a number of old ruins in the area. Dunnet Head is the most northerly spot in mainland Britain although many people erroneously think this honor belongs to John O’Groats.

Travelers wanting to explore some of the Scottish islands can get ferries to the Orkney Islands from John O’Groats. 

All the towns between Wick and Thurso are small with limited services, but there are still several places to stop and stay along this route. If are looking to stay in a town, consider choosing a hotel in either Wick or Thurso.

NOTE: For those looking for our hotel review of Ackergill Tower, it has been removed as the 5-star hotel has been closed. Ackergill Tower is no longer a hotel and has been reverted back into a private home. It is not open to the public.

Mackays Hotel 

Mackays Hotel is a 3-star hotel that is famous for being on the world’s shortest street (Ebenezer Place, 6 feet, 9 inches!). Built in the 19th century, this narrow hotel offers a mix of traditional and modern decor with comfortable rooms offering modern conveniences.

Rooms range from singles to family rooms, and the hotel also offers a few self-catering apartments and townhouses well-suited for families. A cooked Scottish breakfast is included in hotel room rates, and the hotel has a well-rated on-site restaurant No. 1 Bistro and a bar so you can stop in for everything from coffee to dinner to cocktails.

We did not stay here but did stop in for a meal while in Wick and were shown around by the friendly staff and owners who were very welcoming.

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £170 per night for double occupancy. Check Mackays Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Union Street, Wick, Scotland, KW15ED

Location: Located in central Wick, and is 16 miles (about a 25 minute drive) south of John O’ Groats.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request. Pet fees may be applicable.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, many of its guest rooms can be reached step-free via a lift. However, bathroom doorways may be too narrow for some wheelchairs and scooters so guests should check ahead before booking. A small step required to enter showers.

Tips: There is no dedicated on-site parking, but free street parking. If you want to explore Wick, ask the reception for “Mackays Staff Guide to Wick” for some local insight into the little town. If you want to try a local award-winning whisky, Old Pulteney is distilled here and you can make a stop at their visitor center or just have a dram at Mackays Bar.

John O’Groats Inn & Lodges

Together Travel (formerly Natural Retreats) operate two self-catering lodging options in little John O’Groats, a place famous for being at one end of the 876-mile “End to End” route that connects it to Land’s End in Cornwall.

The Inn at John O’Groats, a restoration of the former Victorian-era John O’Groats Hotel, offers studios to 4-bedroom apartments, and the Lodges at John O’Groats offers newly-built self-catering 3-bedroom villas located in the field nearby. Each of the wood-lined Lodge villas offer floor-to-ceiling glass fronts for great views and many of the apartments also offer sea views. 

All options are self-catering with cooking facilities, but they do come with a complimentary welcome hamper containing local produce (i.e., coffee, tea, oatcakes, bread, eggs, wine) and a concierge service. Expect modern decor, locally sourced furniture, and modern technology like flat-screen TVs and Playstations.

If you are not interested in cooking, you can stop into the adjacent Storehouse cafe which offers drinks, snacks, soup, sandwiches, and desserts. We’ve stopped for a hot sandwich and soup here and both were tasty. 

We haven’t stayed here yet ourselves, but it is a good place to consider for those looking for a self-catering option with some nice views, and a convenient location for those traveling as a family or group as well as those wanting to take a boat trip to the Orkney Islands. 

Price: Room rates and self-catering cottages typically range from £110 – £210 per night for double occupancy. Check John O’Groats Inn & Lodges prices here to find the best rates.

Address: A99, John o’ Groats, Wick KW14YR

Location: Located just next to the main John O’Groats parking lot and within walking distance to the ferry to the Orkney Islands and other boat excursions. 

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The Inn offers one fully accessible guest apartment. Many of the villas offer step-free access and may also be suitable for those in wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility.

Tips: You’ll likely want to pick up any major groceries and other self-catering necessities before getting to John O’Groats as you’ll find little here except for a couple of gift shops, an ice cream shop, small farm shop, and a cafe. 

North Coast 500 Hotels: Dunnet to Durness

Now you drive across the northern stretch of the North Coast 500. Lots of lovely lochs, views, and beaches along this stretch. Note that restaurants are limited along this stretch of the route so be sure to have a plan for dinner if your hotel does not offer evening meals.

Northern Sands Hotel

The Northern Sands Hotel is a 3-star hotel with 12 en-suite rooms found in the village of Dunnet. It is conveniently located next door to the Dunnet Bay Distillery and Dunnet Beach.

The hotel has an on-site restaurant and full-service bar which serves meals throughout the day, and a full breakfast is included with every stay. Comfortable en-suite rooms feature flat-screen televisions and tea/coffee making facilities.

The hotel is very well located for those planning to visit places around Dunnet such as Dunnet Head, Dunnet Beach, Castle of Mey, Mary Ann’s Cottage, Dunnet Bay Distillery (this is just next door). We had a lovely stay here and enjoyed our meals. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the room was spacious, clean, and bright.

Price: Room rates typically range from £105 – £160 per night for double occupancy. Check Northern Sands Hotel prices to find the best rates.

Address: Northern Sands Hotel, Dunnet, KW14 8XD

Location: It is located in Dunnet, which is 30 minutes drive from John O’Groats or 15 minutes from Thurso.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: No. All the rooms are on the first floor and require being able to climb one set of stairs as there is no elevator, so there are no wheel-chair accessible rooms

Tips: The hotel is well located for visiting nearby attractions such as RSPB Dunnet Head which is about a 12 minute drive away, Castle of Mey, and Mary Ann’s Cottage (open seasonally). The hotel is within walking distance of Dunnet Bay beach, Seadrift Visitor Centre, the Dunnet Bay Distillery (home of Rock Rose gin), and the Dunnet Forest hiking path.

There is limited dining in the area, so be sure to book dinner for your stay at the hotel or elsewhere in the area. There are several dining options in Thurso (about a 15 minute drive away) if you don’t want to eat in Dunnet.

Forss House Hotel

The Forss House Hotel is 4-star small hotel with 14 ensuite rooms spread across the main country house (built in 1810) and two nearby buildings, The River House and Fishing Lodge. Well-appointed rooms mix Victorian and Georgian elements with modern ones.

The hotel has a small lounge as well as a whisky bar. The hotel is set in its own 20 acres of woodland and the River Forss runs through the estate, making it a favorite place to stay among fishermen and those seeking outdoor pursuits. A full Scottish breakfast is included in room rates, and the hotel also hosts the best-rated restaurant in the area (open to non-hotel guests, reservations recommended).

We had a wonderful stay and dinner here and highly recommend this property for those looking for a peaceful country house environment. The grounds a lovely place to walk around and it is a very great place to get away for a couple of days if you are driving the NC500. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £125 – £185 per night for double occupancy. Check Forss House Hotel prices to find the best rates.

Address: Forss, Caithness, KW147XY 

Location: It is located about 5.5 miles west of Thurso (about a 15 minute drive).

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed on request. The cottages are dog-friendly which are next to the main house. Pet charges may apply.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: Forss House does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, two of the cottages offer step-free access and can work well for those in wheelchairs. There is a small lip to enter the shower. A ramp can be placed to allow access to main house, but there are steps to access the main restaurant.

Tips: There are a number of trails from and near the hotel with lovely river walks. If you love ruins, ask about the hike to St. Mary’s Church in Crosskirk. If are interested in fishing during your stay and don’t already have permission or a permit arranged, contact the hotel in advance to see what is possible nearby during your stay.

Salmon Landings

Salmon Landings is a relatively newly built and opened B&B (opened in late 2016) that was built from the foundations of an early 20th century salmon fishing station. It is scenically located on a clifftop near Strathy Point.

The bespoke B&B offers four guest rooms with modern amenities, which include smart TV’s, USB ports, in-room tea & coffee facilities, and down duvets. The B&B also has a comfortable shared lounge area with a TV, games, and magazines and a dining area. Breakfast and tea are served in the pretty new glasshouse tea room that just opened in Spring 2018. 

We were greeted with warm drinks by the owners, Julie and Kevan, on arrival. We were pleasantly surprised by all the modern touches (USB ports, sensor lights, smart TVs) in our room as these are not typical in the northern Highlands.

The B&B is also more spacious and modern than many Highland lodgings because the owners Julie and Kevan were able to build it as they wished although they have preserved some of the foundations and walls of the former salmon fishing station.

The food here was great, both breakfast and dinner. Note that meals, other than breakfast, are not typically offered here, and that you should figure out your dinner plans prior to arrival.

Price: Room rates typically range from £80 – £125 per night for double occupancy. Check Salmon Landings prices to find the best rates.

Address: Port Ghrant, Strathy Point, Strathy KW14 7RY

Location: It is located about 22 miles west of Thurso (about a 35 minute drive).

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: There are no fully accessible rooms, but rooms on the ground floor offer step-free access and can work for some wheelchair users. The showers have a lip on them.

Tips: This location is a bit away from any major towns so be sure to think about dinner before you arrive and I’d ask the owners for recommended options during your dates of stay. The local Strathy Inn (about a 5 minute drive) has a pub and restaurant that serves evening meals; however, whenever it is closed there are no local options so you will want to perhaps eat in Thurso first.

The owners are happy to provide tips to guests for things to do in the area (beaches, museums, hikes, fishing, kayaking, etc.). We recommend making time to take a walk out to beautiful Strathy Point, a good place to spot birds and marine wildlife and also a good place for stargazing in the evening. It is about a 25 minute walk from the B&B to Strathy Point and Strathy Point lighthouse, just be sure to keep children close by and away from the cliffs! 

The Tongue Hotel

The Tongue Hotel is small hotel offering 19 ensuite rooms in a former nineteenth century hunting lodge built for the Duke of Sutherland. Rooms are traditionally decorated and many include original Victorian fittings and furnishings, and some include fireplaces.

A decanter of sherry awaits guests in their rooms, and there is a cozy lounge where guests can relax with drinks, read, or choose one of the many board games on selection. We played a fun game of Battleship before dinner! The hotel has a full-service restaurant and a full-service public bar.

The hotel sits near the sea loch Kyle of Tongue and you can see the ruins of Castle Varrich from here, and some rooms have these views as well. We stayed here during the winter so it was very quiet here but we had a comfortable room and a good breakfast and dinner.

This is a simple, comfortable, and traditional place to stay and relax. Even if you do not stay here, you may want to stop in for a drink or meal as it is often the liveliest place in little Tongue!

Price: Room rates typically range from £95 – £165 per night for double occupancy. Check Tongue Hotel prices online to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Tongue, Sutherland, IV274XD 

Location: Located in the center of the sleepy town of Tongue

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: There are no fully accessible rooms and all rooms require steps to access (a minimum of 6 steps). 

Tips: Note that not all offered hotel rates include breakfast, so be sure to book the B&B rate if you want breakfast included (although you can always pay for it separately). If you want to learn a little about the history of the building and area, be sure to take a look at the memorabilia near the entrance.

There are some lovely hikes and drives around the hotel, and you can ask the staff for recommendations as we did. From the hotel you can view or walk (about a 1 hour walk, some uphill parts) over to the ruins of Castle Varrich which recently was stabilized with a visitor viewing platform added.

Mackays Rooms

Mackays Rooms is a boutique B&B offering 7 cozy rooms in one of the most rural parts of northwest Scotland. Owners Fiona and Robbie Mackay have turned what was a 150 year old hotel in Durness into a modern boutique hotel.

Mackays Rooms offers 7 cozy en-suite bedrooms, each with slightly different decorations and features. The decor is best described as “modern highland chic” and is a mix of traditional and modern with some quirky touches in the rooms (e.g., our bathroom door handle was a giant fuse).

There is also a small guest lounge with fireplace and another shared guest space with glass windows and tables. Both are nice places to read, work, or enjoy a glass of wine, a dram of whisky, or cup of tea. The B&B doesn’t offer lunch or dinner, but does offer a selection of drinks you can order.

We arrived here on a cold and wet day and were very happy to find warm comfortable cozy rooms, nice amenities in room, and a fire burning in the lounge. We spent the first few hours in the lounge next to the fire relaxing, reading, and drinking coffee and whisky.

Dinner was convenient as we just walked to Sango Sands Oasis, which is a restaurant and bar that serves simple pub food and drinks. We’ve eaten here two or three times and the food and service have always been good.

Breakfasts here were one of the best we had on that particular trip around the North Coast 500. Cooked to order breakfast focused on local ingredients and there was a lot of good choices and even daily specials.

Price: Room rates typically range from £139 – £199 per night for double occupancy. Check online to find the best rates here.

Address: Mackays Rooms, Durness IV27 4PN

Location: Located in the center of the small town of Durness. It is within walking distance of town center, visitor center, Spar, restaurants, Sango Sands beach, and campsite.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed in certain rooms by prior request. A supplementary £15.00 cleaning charge per dog is charged at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: There are no fully accessible rooms and all rooms require steps to access as there are no rooms located on the ground floor.

Tips: The B&B doesn’t offer dinner, but you are within walking distance or a short drive of 2 (sometimes 3) dining options. The staff at MacKays can tell you about your options on that particular evening. We recommend making sure you have time before or after dinner to enjoy a whisky or coffee in the lounge during your stay.

The MacKays also run the next door hostel, The Bunkhouse, and a few luxury self-catering cottages.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Scourie to Achiltibuie

This remote area of Scotland is full of wild and rural terrain and little remote fishing and crofting hamlets. When driving the North Coast 500, you can choose to skip the roads that goes off to both Lochinver and Achiltibuie if you are short on time, but we’d definitely recommend heading out that way if you can as it is a beautiful area.

We’ve provided hotel locations both on and off the main North Coast 500 route.

Eddrachilles Hotel

The Eddrachilles Hotel is a 10-room country hotel located in an 18th century former manse (clergy home). The hotel has recently changed owners and the rooms have been recently renovated and are designed for comfort and coziness. Some rooms have sea views. Lounge features an open fire and relaxing area for reading, and the hotel also has a bar, restaurant, and small garden area. 

We didn’t spend the night here as the dates didn’t work out on our most recent trip, but we have stopped in to see the hotel and chat with the owners. This is a very comfortable place with a pretty garden, and we recommend staying here if you are looking for a cozy typical Highlands hotel.

Also a great place to consider for a meal if you are in the area as they are often open to non-residents for afternoon tea and/or dinner depending on the season (call to book in advance). 

Price: Room rates typically range from £120 – £160 per night for double occupancy. See latest prices online here.

Address: Badcall Bay, Scourie, Sutherland IV27 4TH

Location: Located about 3 miles south of Scourie.

Dog Friendly?: Well-behaved dogs are allowed at the hotel, please let owners know in advance. There is a £10.00 cleaning charge per dog per stay.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, the four ground floor rooms can be accessed without steps, have grip rails in the bathrooms, and may be suitable for some wheelchair users. 

Tips: Lots of hiking, kayaking, beach, and adventure activity opportunities in this area. The owners are happy to give lots of suggestion for local activities and attractions.

Kylesku Hotel

The Kylesku Hotel is a small hotel perched on the shores of a sea loch, and offers 11 rooms located across a renovated 17th century coaching inn and a newer annex. The hotel is perched on the shores where Loch Glencoul and Loch Glendhu join to form a sea passage called Loch a’ Chairn, and many rooms come with loch views.

The rooms all have contemporary furnishings, but note some are fairly small. There is a public lounge with an open fire that guests can enjoy reading and drinks and an outdoor deck and small garden. The award-winning hotel also has a bar and a popular restaurant that focuses on local seafood. 

Price: Room rates typically range from £110 – £160 per night for double occupancy. Check latest prices online here.

Address: Kylesku, Sutherland. IV27 4HW

Location: Located in tiny Kylesku, and about 10 miles from Scourie and 18 miles from Lochinver.

Dog Friendly?: Well-behaved dogs are allowed at the hotel, please let owners know in advance.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one fully accessible room with a wet room shower.

Tips: Book well in advance as often sold out at least a month in advance. Ask for a balcony room or head out to the deck to enjoy the sunrises or sunsets here. Great spot for those wanting to enjoy rural Sutherland.

Note that there is not much in Kylesku other than the bridge and a few houses, so you’ll want to eat at the hotel restaurant or make plans to eat elsewhere before you arrive (Scourie is a 16 minute drive and Lochinver is a 30 minute drive).

Inver Lodge

Inver Lodge is a 21-room hotel perched atop of a hill overlooking the charming little town of Lochinver and its loch. Although the hotel is not much to look at from the outside, it offers some great views, with all rooms and the restaurant having bay views.

The hotel strives for understated luxury and has a foyer with log fire for guests to relax as well as a library area. The restaurant serves breakfast (guests only), lunch, and dinner and offers views over the harbor. A more simple bar menu is available during the day as well.

Our room was lovely, clean, and spacious with lots of nice touches. We were not in one of the top category rooms, but it was still one of the nicer rooms we’ve stayed in when driving the North Coast 500. We had two desks in our room so we both spent a couple hours here catching up on some work.

The staff were friendly although I think they were a bit understaffed during our stay. When we rang the front desk to request milk for coffee, no one answered the first few calls. But other than that, our stay was fabulous.

In the evening, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant. Lots of good options on offer, I had a seafood special and Laurence had a steak. The views are lovely from the restaurant and we were able to watch the sunset.

Price: Room rates typically range from £270 – £580 per night for double occupancy. Check Inver Lodge prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Lochinver, Sutherland IV27 4LU

Location: Located in little Lochinver on a hill. It is about a 12 minute walk or 3 minute drive to the town center.

Dog Friendly?: Pet are allowed at no extra charge at last check. Just be sure to note you will be traveling with pets on your booking.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not offer any fully accessible rooms. However, it does offer ground floor rooms that offer semi-disabled access and can be suitable for those with limited mobility. It is recommended that guests call the hotel to discuss room and access requirements.

Tips: Ask for a window table for breakfast (or dinner) to enjoy scenic views with your morning coffee. 

Davar Guest House

The Davar B&B is small 4-star B&B located in Lochinver offering four well-appointed rooms with modern amenities. Each room is individually decorated and three of the rooms have views over the bay and one has a view onto the garden. The B&B also has a small lounge area with TV and games and a breakfast dining area.

We had a lovely and comfortable stay here and the hosts were friendly and very willing to give suggestions for things to do and places to eat. The location is in Lochinver in a private residential strip of homes overlooking the loch. The breakfast here was delicious and includes a buffet of cold items plus a cooked to order option. Many of the items locally sourced and/or homemade – definitely one of the best breakfasts we have had along the NC500.

We can highly recommend if looking for a nice B&B in Lochinver.

Price: Room rates typically range from £80 – £120 per night for double occupancy for bed and breakfast. Check Davar Guest House prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Davar, Lochinver IV27 4LJ

Location: Located in Lochinver, about 1 mile from the town center. 

Dog Friendly?: Pet are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The B&B does not offer any fully accessible rooms and 2 steps are required to access the main entrance to the house. However, they do have a ground floor room that may be suitable for those with reduced mobility who can handle the entrance steps.

Tips: The hosts are very knowledgeable about the local area and can give you lots of recommendations for hikes, scenic drives, local museums, restaurants, etc. If it is a nice day and you are looking for some lunch, we recommend the 10 minute walk along the loch to Lochinver Larder (a local pie and lunch spot).

You are also a 10 minute walk or 1 minute drive (in the opposite direction) from Highland Stoneware which sells some great locally made pottery and stoneware. Note that the owners do have pets on the property, although they do not allow them to come into the guest rooms.

Summer Isles Hotel

The Summer Isles Hotel initially started life as a fishing inn in 1860 as part of the Cromarty Estates in this remote area of Scotland. It has been greatly expanded and renovated over the years.

This hotel is a little off the North Coast 500 but is a great place to stay for those who want to explore the Coigach peninsula or make their way out to the Summer Isles. Note that the single-track road to Achiltibuie and this peninsula is not recommend for motorhomes or other vehicles over 30 feet long.

The hotel currently offers 13 rooms, some in the main building and others which are next to the main building as eco-friendly “log cabin” rooms or cottages on the property. Many of the rooms have sea views. Dogs are welcome in some of the rooms.

We were greeted warmly by staff on arrival. We were in one of the rooms outside the main building, but it was just next to the parking area. Our room was comfortable and spacious. We were not very hungry so opted to have a light dinner in the hotel’s pub where we had soup and mussels, which were both tasty and filling.

Price: Room rates typically range from £99 – £290 per night for double occupancy for bed and breakfast. Check Summer Isles Hotel prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Achiltibuie, Scotland, IV26 2YQ

Location: Located in small village of Achiltibuie. Limited services in this area.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are allowed by request in some rooms. Additional pet fees may be applicable. Well behaved dogs were also allowed in the bar area (although not the more formal restaurant) where you can dine and get drinks at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel has one fully-accessible room in one of the “log cabin” cottages located next to the main building.

Tips: We recommend eating in the hotel restaurant or the more casual attached pub for dinner. You can make reservations in advance or when you check-in.

If you are looking for an adventure activity in the area, we recommend considering booking a sea kayaking, canoeing, or mountaineering activity with Tim Hamlet of Hamlet Mountaineering. Tim lives in Achiltibuie and can arrange half day, full day, or multi-day trips anywhere in the area. We’ve done a canoeing trip in the lochs in winter and Laurence did a kayaking trip to the Summer Isles on our last summer visit.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Ullapool & Surrounds

Ullapool is a village sitting alongside Loch Broom, and is worth taking the time to explore. Along the North Coast 500, Ullapool has the second largest number of lodging options, and you can find hostels to 50+ room hotels here with the majority of places being family run bed-and-breakfasts and inns. We’ve stayed both in Ullapool and outside of it, and with a car, both are good options.

Ferries run from Ullapool to the Isle of Lewis if you are planning a visit to the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides.

Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel is a 3-star 19th century hotel and is one of the largest and oldest in central Ullapool, offering more amenities than many of the others. This is a place to consider if you are looking for a more traditional larger hotel. It offers 54 rooms across a number of categories, which include family rooms and rooms with a loch view. The hotel also has a full-service restaurant and a bar.

We haven’t stayed here but a family with small children told us they stay here because very few other hotels in central Ullapool offer the larger family rooms. Popular with bus tours and car club motoring tours since it is one of the largest hotels (along with the Caledonian) in the town.

Price: Room rates typically range from £105 – £150 per night for double occupancy. Check Royal Hotel prices here.

Address: Garve Road, Ullapool, Scotland, IV26 2SY

Location: Located in central Ullapool

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed in the hotel.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms. However, it does have ground floor rooms offering step-free access that may be suitable for those with reduced mobility.

Tips: The hotel has a great lochside location. The nicest category of rooms are more spacious and come with balcony loch views.

Westlea House Boutique B&B

Westlea House is a family-run B&B that offers five comfortable and stylish themed rooms in the family-run B&B. Rooms include powerful showers and 2 rooms come with freestanding bath tubs.

The eclectically stylish common areas include a dining area and guest lounge that contains a large collection of books, guides, and LPs. An interesting feature of the B&B is little listening nooks with turntables where you can listen to your favorites from the large vinyl selection. There is also a shed where guests can store bikes or other outdoor gear.

We have not stayed here but met one of the friendly owners and had a look around the guesthouse and we could see why guests rave about this little B&B.

Price: Room rates typically range from £50 – £95 per night for double occupancy. See latest prices here.

Address: 2 Market Street, Ullapool, Ross-shire IV26 2XE

Location: Located in central Ullapool

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The B&B does not have any fully accessible rooms. All rooms require stairs to access.

Tips: The well-rated B&B is very popular and offers good value, so book well in advance to guarantee a stay here. For nearby dinner options, we can personally recommend Ceilidh Place (our favorite, reservations usually needed), The Arch Inn (reservations recommended), and The Seafood Shack (tasty seafood takeaway).

North Coast 500 Hotels: Poolewe to Shieldaig

Now you head down to explore the southwest corner of the North Coast 500. A couple attractions along this stretch include the the Russian Arctic Convoy sites in Aultbea and the Interewe Garden (managed by the National Trust) in Poolewe. There are also lots of opportunities for hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, and water sports along this stretch.

Shieldaig Lodge

Shieldaig Lodge is a refurbished former Victorian hunting lodge set in a 26,000 acre estate next to Shieldaig Bay near the village of Gairloch. If you are looking for a traditional Highlands hunting lodge sort of place to stay, this might be the place for you.

The 19th century building has been recently refurbished and offers 12 comfortable guest rooms. There is also a couple of lovely guest lounges with fireplaces, a bar, and an on-site restaurant. The bar is known for having a selection of over 250 whiskies and the bar also has a large selection of gin and other drink options.

Our room was comfortable but smaller than expected given the price (and photos of much larger rooms on website), and I think we must have had one of their smallest rooms. I would recommend choosing one of the better category rooms, especially if staying more than 1 night, as the smallest rooms don’t have much space to move around in after you get your luggage inside.

The hotel offers a number of activities that can be arranged for guests including archery, falconry, whisky tasting tours, fishing, hunting, guided hikes, canoeing, and kayaking. Booking the Shellfish Gastro Experience allows guests to go fishing on a creel boat with a local fisherman and later the day’s catch is turned into a 5-course seafood meal.

Bikes are also available for rent and there are a number of great hiking trails on the estate and nearby that you can explore on your own. We can definitely recommend trying at least one of the hiking trails as many offer wonderful views. The hotel staff can give you a list and directions.

We had dinner and breakfast here. The dinner we had here was delicious and there was a view out onto the garden and bay. The menu offered a nice selection of fresh seafood as well as local meats and seasonal vegetables. Definitely recommend having dinner here. Breakfast here was also good.

Price: Room rates typically range from £130 – £295 per night for double occupancy for bed and breakfast. Check latest prices here to find the best rates for your dates.

Address: Badachro, Gairloch IV21 2AN

Location: Located on a rural estate, about 10 minutes drive south of the town of Gairloch.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel does not offer any wheelchair accessible rooms. All guest rooms require stairs to access and the guest bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

Tips: Many guests here stay 2 or more nights to explore the area and take advantage of the hotel activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, I’d book them in advance as we heard some people not being able to do them because they were trying to book last minute and they were already full or not possible.

As noted, our double room was smaller than expected given the price so we’d recommend choosing a better room category if you enjoy more spacious rooms.

The Torridon

The Torridon is a 5-star 18-room country house hotel with castle-like turrets. It is the former hunting lodge of the Earl of Lovelace (husband of mathematician Ada Lovelace), and is probably the most well-known hotel along the North Coast 500.

The hotel has a mix of traditional and contemporary decor and offers a number of luxury amenities and services. Rooms include fine cotton linens, flat screen TVs, bathrobes, tea and coffee making facilities, and luxury toiletries. Some rooms also have views of the loch and/or mountains and some have Victorian style bathrooms. 

Its public rooms include a large drawing room, bar known for its large selection of whisky, and a restaurant (open to non-guests with reservations). It has a lovely location on a 58-acre estate next to Loch Torridon, with a large kitchen garden and a field where you can see Highland cattle and Tamworth pigs.

The Torridon also offers a number of day activities on the estate or nearby that include clay pigeon shooting, guided hikes, archery, gorge scrambling, and kayaking. We had a lovely stay here, including a nice afternoon tea in the drawing room, drinks at the bar, and an excellent dinner in the restaurant.

The Torridon lives up to many people’s imagination of a Victorian country estate and is definitely a popular lodging option along the North Coast 500 with many people taking advantage of the offered day activities and tours.

Price: Room rates typically range from £250 – £475 per night for double occupancy. Check The Torridon prices online to find the best rates for your trip.

Address: Annat, By Achnasheen, Wester Ross IV22 2EY

Location: Located 2 miles from the little village of Torridon next to Loch Torridon, about 12 miles southwest (25 minute drive) from Kinlochewe.

Dog Friendly?: Pets are not allowed in the hotel except for the Chestnut Cottage. Well behaved dogs are allowed in the ground room rooms of the next door The Stables (formerly the Torridon Inn) and in the pub there. So dog owners may want to consider staying at The Stables instead.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel offers one fully accessible room on the ground floor.

Tips: Book well in advance to guarantee a room here as some dates can book up several months in advance as popular with motor clubs and other groups. If you want a really spacious room, book a suite. The Torridon also has a private self-catering option called the Boat House.

For a more casual (and inexpensive) stay or meal, check out the next door The Stables (formerly known as the Torridon Inn), which is owned and run by the same company and better suited for families. If you are not staying here, you can still book a meal, have a drink, or afternoon tea here. It offers one of the best afternoon tea options along the NC500.

North Coast 500 Hotels: Achnasheen to Inverness

This was our final leg of the trip before returning back to Inverness (or it might be your first leg if heading west), and while we found scenic spots and things to do along this stretch, we found fewer North Coast 500 hotels. We can highly recommend Coul House Hotel (below) which can make a nice final stop, or you can also check out the Dingwall to Invergordon hotels listed earlier as those are within a 30 minute drive of here as well.

For those returning to overnight in Inverness, you can see our Inverness hotel recommendations earlier in the article.

Coul House Hotel

Coul House Hotel is a 22-room family-run country house hotel surrounded by gardens, a large lawn, and trees. The building was built in 1821 for Sir George Steuart Mackenzie by the same architects who designed the famous spire atop the Tron Kirk on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

The rooms offer traditional decor, modern conveniences, and most come with either a garden or mountain view. Public rooms include ornate ceilings, decorations, and fireplaces. The hotel also has a full-service restaurant, and although we only had breakfast here, the dinner menu looked tempting.

The outdoor spaces include beautiful gardens, shaded places to sit under the trees, fairy trails designed with families in mind, and a golf practice area on the lawn. The Coul House Hotel is known as one of the most pet-friendly places to stay along the NC500, and you may even get a chance to meet the owners’ own dogs.

We found this to be a relaxing and scenic historical hotel with friendly staff, and we would highly recommend it for those looking for a place to relax at the beginning or end of their North Coast 500 road trip.

Price: Room rates typically range from £95 – £300 per night for double occupancy. Check Coul House Hotel prices online to find the best rates.

Address: Contin, Ross-shire IV14 9ES

Location: Located in the small village of Contin, it is about 8 miles (15 minutes) west of Dingwall and 20 miles (35 minutes drive) northwest of from Inverness

Dog Friendly?: Pets are welcome at the hotel. There was a £7.50 charge per dog at last check.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms?: The hotel offers one fully accessible room on the ground floor with a wet room. It has 3 other ground floor rooms offering step-free access that can also work for those in wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility.

Tips: As you get near the hotel, be sure to keep a lookout for the sign for the turnoff as it is located a couple of minutes drive off the road so you won’t see the hotel from the road. Be sure to spend some time in the gardens here and if you have kids, be sure to check out the Fairy Trail. Nearby are Ben Wyvis and the scenic Falls of Rogie.

There you have it, our list of recommended North Coast 500 hotels along this new popular route around the top of Scotland. We hope you find these recommendations helpful in planning your own trip!

Is a North Coast 500 road trip on your radar? Which of these North Coast hotels would be on your accommodation wish list? If you have stayed in any of these hotels, or any other places along the NC500, we’d love to hear your personal experience and tips.

If you are planning a North Coast 500 road trip feel free to ask us any questions about any aspect of your trip below and as always we’ll do our best to answer your questions!

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**Disclosure: We partnered with North Coast 500 who helped us plan the logistics of our trip and also arranged some of our meals and accommodation in order for us to share our experiences as travel writers. We had input into every place we stayed, ate, and visited, and we covered our own transport costs and additional expenses. You can read more in our Ethics Code about how we accept work.**