Image / Uicipeid - Wikipedia
Start at Tongue, leave the map in the glovebox, and follow the coast. This guide collects the best viewpoints and scenic coastal routes for short drives and longer days out, from the Kyle of Tongue and Talmine to Dunnet Head and the cliffs of Duncansby. Expect pale sands, seabird colonies, quiet harbours and easy walks that reward without effort. Use Tongue as your base to return to in the evening, unwind, and plan the next stretch of North Coast 500 highlights. Practical notes point to where to stop, what to look for, and the best photospots, so you can focus on the road and the view.
Image / Kincraig Castle
Stand on the northern edge of mainland Britain and breathe the wild sea air
Good for
What to expect
Expect raw, changeable weather and open, rugged ground. A short, gravel path leads from the car park to an accessible viewpoint suitable for pushchairs and many wheelchairs. Interpretation panels show local seabirds and sea routes. There are wartime remains and radar buildings nearby, but the lighthouse grounds are private. Facilities are minimal, and you should stay well back from cliff edges.
Plan your visit
Wear warm, windproof layers and sturdy footwear. Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens for seabirds and long-distance views. Keep dogs on a lead, especially between 1 April and 15 August while birds are nesting. Parking is available at the viewpoint but can fill on busy days, so allow a little extra time. Stay on marked paths and respect private areas around the lighthouse.
Image / Venture North
Stand at the mainland’s most northerly point and watch the sea stretch away.
Good for
What to expect
A short walk from a small car park brings you onto open grassland and cliff-top paths. You can admire broad sea panoramas and birdlife from safe viewpoints, but the lighthouse grounds are private. Expect bracing coastal wind, shifting light, and the chance to spot seabirds and occasional cetaceans from the headland.
Plan your visit
Wear layers and sturdy shoes, the weather changes quickly on the headland. Arrive earlier in the day if you want quieter parking. Bring binoculars for birdwatching and a picnic if you want to linger. Follow signed paths and keep to fenced areas, and respect the private buildings and cottages if you’d like an overnight lighthouse experience book well in advance.
Image / A Highland Blend
A quiet harbour where sea, cliff and wide sky meet
Good for
What to expect
Open, windswept vistas and the sound of waves on rock. Expect a compact harbour, a short coastal path and low cliffs that are good for seabird and seal spotting. The ground is uneven in places, so wear sensible footwear and a warm layer.
Plan your visit
Treat this as a brief scenic stop or a short walk into the coastal landscape. Bring a jacket, binoculars and a camera. Combine the harbour with Melvich Beach and nearby coastal paths for a longer outing. Park considerately and give space to any local boats and shore activities.
Image / Sandee
Pause at the causeway, breathe the salt air and take in the wide, coastal view.
Good for
What to expect
Expect broad, changeable skies, glittering water and long stretches of sand. You can walk along the causeway, watch seals on the sandbanks and hear curlews at dawn or dusk. The area is largely unspoilt and peaceful, with a small caravan park, a hostel with a café and a basic shop within easy reach.
Plan your visit
Allow time for short walks from the parking pull-ins and for stopping at viewpoints along the causeway. Use passing places on single-track roads and drive with care, especially if you’re not used to this style of road. Bring binoculars for wildlife, sturdy footwear for beaches and dunes, and layered clothing for sudden weather changes. If you want refreshments, support the local café or caravan-site facilities rather than relying on town services.
Image / Venture North
Walk a wide arc of pale sand beneath Dunnet Head
Good for
What to expect
Expect soft, pale sand underfoot and big, open skies. You will find room to stroll, run or let dogs roam, plus plenty of shells and driftwood for beachcombing. Seabirds frequent the shoreline and the view changes with the light, from clear vistas to misty, wind-driven spray. There are marked trails and a community wood close by if you want to extend your walk.
Plan your visit
Aim for the northern car park next to the caravan and motorhome site for the shortest walk onto the beach and access to toilets and basic facilities. Bring windproof layers and footwear for sandy or damp sections, and pack a picnic for a long shoreline stop. Keep an eye out for stranded jellyfish in summer, and give wading birds space when you spot them. Combine your visit with nearby highlights on the NC500 route, such as Dunnet Head, John o' Groats or local heritage trails.
Image / Sandee
Wide pink sand, sea-sculpted patterns and quiet headlands to explore.
Good for
What to expect
Sweeping sand underfoot, low grassy dunes and two rocky headlands framing the bay. You’ll see the river entering the sea, wave-made sand patterns and steady surf on windy days. The shoreline is ideal for wandering, beachcombing and short walks along the sand.
Plan your visit
Plan for a short walk across dunes and soft sand, so wear sensible footwear. Access is via a slip road off the main route and a small car park reached down an unpaved track; park considerately to leave room for others. There are no facilities at the beach, but a public toilet is a short drive away. Bring water, a windproof layer and any food you need. If you have a dog, keep it under control and take any waste home.
Image / Photos and the City
Wide sand, sheltered coves and sea views that open out to the horizon.
Good for
What to expect
Easy access from the roadside, informal parking and a main bay that attracts most visitors. Walkers who continue past the rocky headlands find smaller, more private bays. The shore is a mix of sand, shingle and exposed rock, so wear sensible footwear for exploring. There are no guaranteed facilities, so bring food and water if you need them and take all litter away with you.
Plan your visit
Make Sangomore a planned stop on an NC500 day. Combine it with a short walk around Durness and time to explore the headlands. Check tide times before scrambling over rocks to reach the quieter bays. Pack layers and windproof clothing, sturdy shoes for rocky sections and a bag to carry out any rubbish. If you want peace, aim to arrive early or late in the day and leave space for family members or friends to wander safely along the shore.
Image / PhotoHound
Wide skies, pale sands and a clear Highland moment
Good for
What to expect
Open coastal views, a short walk to the shoreline and a few interpretation boards. Facilities are minimal, with basic parking nearby, so bring what you need. You’ll find good opportunities for rock hunting, tide pooling and quiet seaside time rather than formal visitor services.
Plan your visit
Dress for wind and uneven ground, wear sturdy shoes and check the tide before you head down to the sand. Pack snacks, water and a bag for rubbish. Combine this stop with other stages of the NC500 to make the most of nearby viewpoints, and give yourself time to linger when the light is good.
Image / Wavelength Surf Magazine
Rugged headland, ruined castle and wide sea views , a quiet corner of the NC500 to slow down and look out.
Good for
What to expect
A short, mostly gentle walk from the roadside to cliff edges and the shoreline. You will find weather-beaten stonework and rocky foreshore rather than sandy, family facilities or cafés. Expect strong coastal light, fresh sea air and clear sightlines for watching seabirds and passing boats.
Plan your visit
Wear sturdy shoes for uneven ground and a warm, windproof layer. Bring binoculars if you want to watch nesting birds from a safe distance. There are no visitor facilities, so carry water and snacks. Combine this stop with other nearby NC500 viewpoints to make a short coastal loop.
Image / Mackays Hotel
Stand at the mainland’s edge and watch the sea carve stone into jagged stacks.
Good for
What to expect
You will follow a coastal path with sweeping North Sea views, frequent seabird colonies and open, windswept terrain. Expect woolly sheep in the fields and the constant sound of waves below. The site suits walkers of most abilities, dog owners and birdwatchers who want close views of nesting fulmars, guillemots and, in season, puffins.
Plan your visit
Dress in layers and bring a windproof jacket, good footwear and binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching. Keep dogs under control near the cliff edge and away from nesting areas. Follow fenced paths, take all litter home and avoid entering protected zones to protect wildlife. Take care on narrow sections of path and watch your footing on uneven ground.
Image / AllTrails
Step out onto the clifftop path and watch Orkney sit on the horizon.
Good for
What to expect
A safe, even path that follows the cliff edge above Thurso Beach. Expect regular viewpoints, a few benches in the first section, and beach access where people surf or bodyboard. Cafés and a pub lie close to each end, so you can plan a warm drink before or after. The wind from the Pentland Firth often adds atmosphere, so layers are useful.
Plan your visit
Wear a windproof jacket and sturdy shoes, carry binoculars if you want to scan the islands, and pack a small drink and snack. Start in Thurso to make use of nearby cafés, then walk toward Scrabster if you want a longer stretch. If you’re following the NC500, slot this as a short coastal detour. Check local transport if you don’t plan to return on foot.
Image / sangosands.com
Wake to the sea, sleep under the stars
Good for
What to expect
You will find a relaxed campsite with hard-standing and grass pitches, plus EHU options. Facilities include hot showers, a shared kitchen area and a coin-operated laundry. There’s a small bar and occasional food vans on site, and a shop and pub a short walk away. The site sits above the beach, so expect strong coastal winds at times and striking sunrise and night-sky viewing when conditions allow. Staff are friendly and multilingual, and the atmosphere is calm and outdoorsy.
Plan your visit
Book early in peak season, and choose a cliff-top pitch if you want the best outlook. Pack sturdy, windproof layers and footwear for cliff and beach walks. Check which access road suits your vehicle, some routes are steep and not ideal for older campervans. Bring supplies from the nearby shop or pop into the local cafe and pub for a meal after a walk. Plan short walks to Balnakeil and Smoo Cave from the site, and leave time to wander the craft village and shoreline.
Image / The Walking Northerners
Where a burn meets the sea.
Good for
What to expect
You will hear surf and running water at once, with spray on the wind and pebbles underfoot. The site is small and intimate: you can view the falls from beach level and from the raised path above. Footing can be uneven and the stream’s flow varies with recent rain.
Plan your visit
Plan a short stop rather than a full-day outing. Check the weather and recent rainfall if you want a stronger fall. Wear sturdy shoes and a waterproof layer, especially if you plan to walk along wet rocks or climb to the top. Bring a towel if you’ll get close to the spray, and keep dogs and children under close supervision on uneven ground.
Good for
What to expect
You will find broad sandy areas, grass-topped dunes and clusters of sculpted rock that form little bays and tide pools. Expect changeable weather, strong wind at times and solid waves rolling onto the shore. The terrain is good for short walks, rock scrambling and beachcombing. Families, solo travellers and couples all use the beach for relaxation and photography.
Plan your visit
Turn up with sturdy footwear and layered clothing, and leave time to explore the rocks and the stream that runs through an arch onto the sand. There’s a campsite nearby if you want to stay local. Bring a simple picnic and take all litter with you. If you’re travelling the NC500, factor in narrow single-track lanes and limited services beyond the village; fill up and stock supplies before you head out.
Image / Hidden Scotland
A small stop, a wide Highland view on the NC500.
Good for
What to expect
Expect a short, uneven path from the roadside onto a grassy promontory, with exposed wind and wide sightlines. The information board explains local flora and fauna rather than the castle history, and the ruins sit high on the skyline so you spot them by looking uphill from the sign. Bring layers, the weather changes quickly up here.
Plan your visit
Wear sturdy shoes and a windproof layer. Pack binoculars or a longer lens if you like birdwatching or want close views of the ruin. Stop here as part of an NC500 day, allow time for a short walk and photos, and take care on the grassy slopes. Leave no trace and respect nesting birds in season.
Image / www.highlandcoasthotels.com
Highland Coast Hotels is a collection of hotels across the Scottish Highlands, from Inverness to the far north coast. Each property sits within the landscape, with warm rooms, honest food and local knowledge at every stop on the North Coast 500. Choose your hotel and start planning your trip.
