About Scotland’s NC500
Scotland’s North Coast 500 has something other European road trips lack—a wildness that feels genuinely untamed. This 516-mile Highland circuit deserves its reputation as one of the world’s most dramatic coastal routes. Drive it in a classic British sports car and it becomes the kind of adventure people remember for life.
The NC500 isn’t about reaching the end—it’s what happens along the way. Mountains meet sea, villages exist outside modern time, castles stand where they’ve stood for centuries. Do this in a Morgan or MG with the roof down and the Atlantic ahead, and you’ll remember why you love driving.
The hotels here work whether you’re completing the full circuit or basing yourself in the Highlands for shorter stays. Haven’t got a week for 516 miles? Spend three nights at The Torridon exploring Wester Ross, or long weekends at Glenmorangie House on the east coast. Sometimes the memorable trips aren’t about covering ground—they’re about properly discovering one exceptional place.
Setting Off in Style
For those flying into Edinburgh or Inverness; hiring a Morgan from a local dealer like Revolutions adds an authentic touch of British motoring heritage to your Highland adventure. These hand-built classics, with their ash wood frames and timeless design, are perfect companions for Scotland’s winding coastal roads. Morgan specialists offer impeccably maintained classics ready for Highland adventures, with comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover—it’s a essential peace of mind when you’re miles from civilization in the Scottish Highlands.
The key to a perfect North Coast 500 road trip isn’t just the car you’re driving—it’s knowing where to stay and enjoy the scenery at its best. Here we’ve hand-picked the finest retreats along the route, each offering something exceptional that elevates your journey beyond the ordinary.
The hotels here work whether you’re completing the full circuit or basing yourself in the Highlands for shorter stays. Haven’t got a week for 516 miles? Spend three nights at The Torridon exploring Wester Ross, or long weekends at Glenmorangie House on the east coast. Sometimes the memorable trips aren’t about covering ground—they’re about properly discovering one exceptional place.
The Torridon Resort
Location: West coast, Loch Torridon shores
Nightly Rate: £200-350
Style: Victorian shooting lodge (1887), 58-acre estate
Awards: Pride of Britain Hotels, 3 AA Rosettes, 5-star
When classic car clubs plan NC500 tours, they book The Torridon exclusively. This hotel didn’t just join the North Coast 500 route, the Managing Director helped create it. The property regularly hosts MG, Porsche, and Morgan car club exclusives. They understand classic car owners because they ARE classic car enthusiasts.
The location places you perfectly for exploring the famous Bealach na Bà—one of Britain’s highest mountain passes and an absolute must-drive section of the North Coast 500. This notorious stretch of road, with its hairpin bends and dramatic gradients, is where classic sports cars truly earn their keep. Returning to Torridon after conquering the pass, with those mountains looming above, feels like a genuine achievement.
Beyond the driving, The Torridon offers an excellent whisky bar stocked with 365+ malts, a spa where your muscles will thank you after gripping the steering wheel through challenging Highland roads, and an on-site falconry center where you can handle eagles and owls with the Highlands as your backdrop. The 3 AA Rosette restaurant serves exceptional modern Scottish cuisine, and the staff are genuinely knowledgeable about the route, recommending lesser-known viewpoints and roads worth exploring.
They also provide secure locked garages for classic cars—a detail that matters when you’re parking a valuable vintage vehicle overnight in remote Scotland.
Shieldaig Lodge
Location: Shieldaig Bay, West Coast Continuation
Nightly Rate: £200-350
Style: Victorian hunting lodge, traditional Highland character
Features: Complete Scottish gin collection, onsite falconry Center
Why Gin Enthusiasts & Bird Lovers Choose This:
Shieldaig Lodge has EVERY Scottish gin in its bar. Literally every single Scottish gin available. If it’s distilled in Scotland, they have it. Add an onsite Falconry Center with eagles, falcons, and owls, and you have a completely unique Highland experience.
The Victorian hunting lodge sits overlooking Shieldaig Bay with log fireplaces, antique furnishings, and traditional Highland character. This is different from The Torridon’s polished luxury – it’s more intimate, more traditional, more like staying in a shooting lodge that happens to have exceptional gin.
Glenmorangie House
Location: Moray Firth coast, near Tain
Nightly Rate: £400-600
Style: 17th-century Highland home, whisky-themed interiors
Awards: Forbes 5, Best Hotel Experiences 2016
Why This Is the Most Exclusive Property on NC500:
With only 9 bedrooms in the entire property, Glenmorangie House isn’t a hotel – it’s a private house party where you’re the guest. Russell Sage Studio (the team behind The Fife Arms) designed interiors that weave whisky into every detail: room colours reflect Glenmorangie’s shades, ornaments tell the brand story, and the dinner party-style restaurant encourages new friendships each evening.
Forbes recognised this as one of the 5 best hotel experiences in the world in 2016. Book months ahead – with only 9 rooms, this property fills fast.
Links House, Dornoch
Why Golfers & History Lovers Choose This:
Location: Dornoch, east coast
Nightly Rate: £250-400
Style: 1843 country house, 5-star luxury
Awards: Conde Nast Best UK Hotels 2020
Links House sits adjacent to the first tee of Royal Dornoch Golf Club – one of the world’s greatest championship courses. Wake up, walk to the first tee, play one of golf’s holiest grounds. Return for luxury accommodation and fine dining.
Not a golfer? Dunrobin Castle (Scotland’s answer to Versailles) is 20 minutes away with French gardens and its own falconry displays. This is your east coast Highland luxury base.
Final Thoughts: Why This Journey Matters
The North Coast 500 in a classic British sports car delivers one of Europe’s finest driving experiences. The combination of dramatic coastal scenery, characterful accommodations, and the visceral engagement of a hand-built classic creates memories that outlast typical holidays.
This is where luxury meets automotive passion. Some roads are destinations. Some classics are stories. Some hotels are experiences. These 4 properties are all three.
Your Questions Answered
How long does the NC500 actually take?
The 516 miles requires 8-10 hours of pure driving without stops. Plan 5-7 days minimum to actually enjoy it rather than just survive it. Attempting the route in 3 days means you’ll see only the road, not the Highlands. And you’ll arrive home exhausted rather than restored.
Should I drive clockwise or anticlockwise?
The hotels in this guide are listed in clockwise order, matching the most popular routing.
Most drivers choose clockwise (Inverness → West Coast → North Coast → East Coast), which is the natural direction if you’re collecting an MG from North Coast Classics in Dingwall.
However, if you’re collecting a Morgan from Revolutions in Perth and driving north to start at Inverness Castle, either direction works equally well—you’re at the true start point and can choose based on preference.
Start smart: Spend your first night at Kingsmills before the NC500 begins. Proper rest, a good breakfast, and secure parking mean you’re tackling the Highlands prepared rather than exhausted. After completing the circuit, returning to the same hotel feels right—familiar comfort after an extraordinary journey.
Can I really drive this in a classic car with no roof?
Yes, but understand what you’re committing to. Even in summer, you’ll encounter rain. Scottish weather operates on its own logic, uninterested in forecasts or your preferences. A classic with a functional hood and effective heater transforms potential misery into character-building adventure. Battling Highland weather in a permanently open car tests resolve in ways you may not appreciate until mile 300.
What other classics will handle these roads other than a Morgan?
- MG roadsters and GTs (From North Coast Classics) – Light, compact and, when properly maintained, relatively weather‑tight, with decent heaters for sudden Highland downpours.
- Classic coupés such as a Triumph TR6 hard‑top or similar – Still characterful, but with a fixed roof that takes the edge off persistent showers and coastal winds.
- Modern lightweight sports cars with good hoods (for example, an Alpine‑style coupé or MX‑5‑type roadster) – Offer better sealing and refinement while keeping that fun, engaging feel.
What is the best time of year to drive the NC500 in a classic car?
From May through to September offers the best driving conditions, though Scotland’s weather remains gloriously unpredictable. Pack layers, embrace the possibility of four seasons in one day, and remember that some of the most atmospheric moments come when mist rolls in from the Atlantic or shafts of sunlight break through storm clouds.
Essential Services
Whether you’re hiring or driving your own classic, our specialist directory features everything you need:
- Classic car hire near Edinburgh or Inverness Airports
- Classic car insurance with touring and breakdown cover
Browse the Directory to find specialists who can help make your Scottish classic car adventure worry-free.
