Northwestern Coast Panoramic Road

The Northwestern Coast Panoramic Road is a 96mi road trip that starts in Durness and ends in Ullapool, both located in Scotland. It is a perfect one-day journey, best enjoyed in the summer months. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy some of the most stunning landscapes Scotland has to offer. The road trip starts in Durness and takes you through the small town of Scourie and past the breathtaking Lochinver. The road conditions are generally good and the scenery is simply stunning. You will be able to take in the vastness of the Highlands and the incredible beauty of the sea. This road trip is suitable for all drivers, regardless of their budget. It is a great way to experience the beauty of Scotland and create some amazing memories.

Durness, located on the extreme northwestern coast of Scotland, is an ideal starting point for the "Northwestern Coast Panoramic Road" road trip. Its picturesque landscape, with its rugged cliffs, white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. The main attractions of Durness are the Smoo Cave, the Balnakeil Craft Village, the Sango Bay and the Faraid Head. Smoo Cave is a mystical sea cave with two entrances, a waterfall and a subterranean river. Balnakeil Craft Village is a charming settlement with a variety of art galleries, craft workshops and cafés. Sango Bay is a beautiful beach with a breathtaking view. Finally, Faraid Head is a spectacular headland and a haven for wildlife. If you are traveling by air, the closest international airport is Wick John O' Groats Airport (WIC), located about 100 km from Durness. Car rentals are available at the airport. So, if you are looking for a road trip full of adventure and breathtaking views, the "Northwestern Coast Panoramic Road" is the way to go. Start your journey in Durness and explore all the amazing sights this beautiful Scottish town has to offer.

Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Durness to Scourie? This 25-mile drive will take you less than 1 hour, giving you plenty of time to explore the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Your journey starts in Durness, where you can find Smoo Cave, a stunning sea cave with a waterfall, and Balnakeil Craft Village, a unique shopping experience. As you drive, you’ll be surrounded by the majestic hills and lochs of the area. Make sure to take a break and take in the picturesque landscapes. Once you reach Scourie, you’ll find a variety of attractions, including the Handa Island Bird Reserve, the ruins of Kinlochbervie Castle, and the stunning beaches of Scourie Bay. To make the most of your trip, make sure to check the “Itinerary” section of this stage for more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for an unforgettable road trip from Durness to Scourie!

Welcome to the Scourie-Lochinver road trip! This 35mi journey will take you less than two hours to complete, but the picturesque landscapes you’ll encounter along the way will make it feel much longer. Starting in Scourie, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the ruins of a 13th century castle. From there, you’ll cross the beautiful Loch Laxford and continue to the village of Achiltibuie. Here you can explore the Summer Isles, a group of islands that make up one of the most stunning views in Scotland. Continuing your journey, you’ll reach the village of Lochinver. Here, you can take a stroll along the harbor and take in the views of the loch, or visit the local museum to learn more about the area’s history. As you take this scenic journey, be sure to take in all the sights and sounds that you come across along the way. The rolling hills, the rocky coastlines, and the lush green forests will make for an unforgettable experience. Remember that more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your Scourie-Lochinver road trip!

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Lochinver to Ullapool! This 36-mile drive will take you less than an hour, and you’ll find plenty of beautiful sights along the way. Start your journey with a visit to the beautiful Achmelvich Beach, where you can take in the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Then, make your way to the picturesque Lochinver Harbour, where you can admire the colourful boats and the serene waters. Continue your journey to the peaceful village of Stoer, where you can explore the ruins of a 13th century castle. Then, make your way to the quaint village of Achiltibuie, where you can visit the Coigach Community Garden and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Finally, end your journey in Ullapool, a charming fishing village with a rich history. Here, you can take a stroll along the harbour and admire the colourful boats and the beautiful scenery. This is just one of the stages of your journey, and you can find more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route in the “Itinerary” of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey and explore the sights of Lochinver to Ullapool!

Ullapool is a charming fishing village in the Highlands of Scotland and the perfect destination to end your Northwestern Coast Panoramic Road trip. Located in the north-west coast of Scotland, it offers breathtaking views of the sea and its rugged coastline. The village's colorful buildings, fish and chips restaurants, and art galleries are sure to leave you with unforgettable memories. For travelers looking to explore the area, Ullapool is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. The Corrieshalloch Gorge is a spectacular natural gorge with a suspension bridge that offers a stunning view of the gorge below. There are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking and biking trails, sailing and kayaking, and fishing. Ullapool is also a great place to sample local cuisine. There are plenty of cafes, pubs and seafood restaurants to choose from. You can also find local art galleries and craft stores. The closest international airport to Ullapool is Inverness Airport (INV), located about an hour and a half away by car. If you're looking for a peaceful getaway with plenty of activities to explore and a stunning view of the sea, Ullapool is the perfect destination to end your Northwestern Coast Panoramic Road trip.

We believe that the presented journey idea has inspired you.
It is a ready-made opportunity that can be easily developed into a longer tour – you can do virtually anything you’d like.
If car travel is a travel option you prefer, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a list of elements to keep in mind to make your journey smooth. These tips will also become useful for holidaymakers who opt for vehicle hire or renting a camper in Scotland.
When you’re on a tour around Scotland, you should follow the local traffic rules. In Scotland, if you are planning to drive, try avoiding alcoholic beverages at any price. Travellers ought to remember that the amount of alcohol you can consume is rather low and is only 0.8‰. When travelling around urban areas, the maximum car speed is 48km/h. When it comes to non-build-up areas, you should bear in mind that the maximum speed is 96km/h. On motorways, you should stick to the permissible speed of 112km/h. We recommend driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit to ensure proper safety.
The majority of drivers wonder about the costs of the whole tour. Of course, depending on the budget option that interests you, the amount of money that you have to pay for your tour expenses may vary. A wide range of budget configurations is presented below.
We estimate that the cheapest option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 4 stages across Scotland can amount to 25 EUR. Holidaymakers will have to pay the average of up to 77 EUR for budget overnight stays. Holidaymakers should also remember about the fact that they will spend about 96 EUR for restaurants and food in this option. If your aim is also the cheapest car hire option, you will pay about 45 EUR. Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to more or less 198 EUR without car hire and 243 EUR with vehicle rental.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 25 EUR to cover the planned mileage of the adventure. Standard accommodation options will cost around 154 EUR. The slightly increased standard in comparison to the budget option entails costs amounting to more or less 144 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard rental car can expect a cost of approximately 72 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 395 EUR for travellers who would like to try car rental and 323 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
The available premium offer has been prepared for the most demanding tourists. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay around 576 EUR for the whole trip, whereas those who are not interested in car hire will spend roughly 450 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a premium hire vehicle can expect a cost of around 126 EUR. In the top standard configuration of the tour, you should expect the average cost of approximately 38 EUR when it comes to fuel. You should expect to pay more or less 192 EUR for food and restaurants and around 220 EUR for overnight stays if you are interested in the highest standard of services during your itinerary.
Our road trip will also be ideal for all camper fans, as it can be easily adjusted to their expectations. For those who are interested in this transport option, you should expect the costs of around 225 EUR. Travel costs connected with camper travel will be approximately 38 EUR – especially if you would like to cover all the stages around Scotland. Travellers who are considering camper rental should expect to pay approximately 55 EUR for accommodation and roughly 96 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the presented expenses in detail.
If Northwestern Coast Panoramic Road has inspired you, there are plenty of picturesque scenic drives and road trips on our website. Even the most demanding of drivers will surely be taken aback by the great variety of options that we offer.