NC500 Accommodation and Highlights: Best Places to Stay and Things to do on the North Coast 500
Planning your NC500 accommodation is one of the most important decisions to make before setting off. The route covers 516 miles of northern Scotland, taking you from Inverness up the east coast, across Caithness, and back down the northwest. And despite the massive coverage, the best stops book out months in advance.
The northern section, in particular, fills faster than anywhere else on the route. However, the Ulbster Arms Hotel, based in Halkirk, Caithness, welcomes NC500 travellers every year. And whether you’re planning a three-day dash or a full week on the road, we’ve got you covered with comfortable rooms and fantastic access to some of the NC500 route highlights.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best places to stay on the North Coast 500. We’ll also tell you what to expect along the way, and some of the best experiences to enjoy on the most northern stretch.
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NC500 accommodation by section: planning your overnight stops
The North Coast 500 splits into natural sections, and each one has a different accommodation landscape. Before you book anything, it helps to know what you’re dealing with on each stretch.
From Inverness into the North of Scotland
Inverness is the starting point and easily the most straightforward section to book. This is thanks to a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, and city centre options to choose from.
Moving north, the east coast leg through Dornoch, Golspie, and Helmsdale has a solid mix of smaller hotels and B&Bs. Availability here is reasonable, though it fills up quickly in peak months.
The northern stretch of the NC500
Even further north, the Caithness section is where NC500 accommodation becomes most competitive. Four-star hotel options are super limited, so early booking is essential. This is largely because Caithness is the northernmost section of the NC500, running from Dunbeath on the east coast across to Dounreay on the north coast. It’s also one of the most rewarding stretches of the entire journey.
For travellers looking for hotel accommodation on the NC500 northern section, the Ulbster Arms Hotel is the standout four-star option. We’re based in Halkirk, sitting neatly between Thurso and Wick. As a result, you are within easy reach of every major Caithness attraction.
We’re also the closest four-star hotel to the Scrabster ferry terminal, which is crucial if an Orkney detour is on your list, as it’s the fastest and most convenient crossing point.
Heading west
Further west, the northwest coast from Durness down to Ullapool is popular with glampers and self-catering travellers. And finally, the west coast back to Inverness offers a mix of lodges, inns, and smaller hotels throughout.
Staying at Ulbster Arms: NC500 hotels in Caithness
Ulbster Arms Hotel is a 19th-century Highland hotel on the banks of the River Thurso in Halkirk, Caithness. We offer a range of hotel rooms , including standard, premium, executive, and family rooms, as well as dog-friendly accommodation. We also have private on-site parking, which is free for all guests.
After a long day on the road, our restaurant and bar serve locally sourced food daily. We also have a library, lounge, and outdoor garden for when you want to properly unwind. On top of this, we have six EV charging points, with three of the fastest in the Highlands. So, if you’re driving the NC500 in an electric vehicle, you’re in good hands at the Ulbster Arms Hotel.
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NC500 highlights: what to do in Caithness
Staying at the Ulbster Arms Hotel puts you within easy reach of the best stops on the northern section of the North Coast 500.
So, here’s what to plan into your NC500 itinerary from your base in Halkirk:
John O’Groats and Duncansby Head
John O’Groats needs little introduction. It’s the most northerly inhabited point on the mainland, and the famous signpost marking 874 miles to Land’s End is one of the most photographed spots on the entire NC500. However, don’t just stop there.
Because a short drive east brings you to Duncansby Head, where the Duncansby Stacks rise 60 metres out of the sea just offshore. The coastal walk from the lighthouse to the stacks takes around 30 minutes each way and is absolutely spectacular.
Castle of Mey
The Castle of Mey is the only Scottish castle purchased and privately restored by a member of the British royal family. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother bought it in 1952 and spent years bringing it back to life.
It opens to visitors between May and September and sits on the Pentland Firth coast, just 20 minutes from Ulbster Arms.
NC500 golf courses near Caithness
For golfers, Thurso Golf Club is one of the most northerly 18-hole courses on mainland Britain. The parkland course runs alongside the River Thurso, and on a clear day, you can see across to Orkney from the fairways.
Ulbster Arms sponsors a hole at Thurso Golf Club, so ask at reception about guest passes during your stay.
Whisky distilleries on the NC500
There are three whisky distilleries within easy reach of Ulbster Arms, which is very good news indeed. Wolfburn Distillery in Thurso produces single malt Scotch whisky using water from the Wolf Burn stream. Originally established in 1821, it was revived in 2013 and has been going strong ever since.
Next, Dunnet Bay Distillers near Thurso produces Rock Rose Gin, Holy Grass Vodka, and Mapmaker’s Rum, with a visitor centre and tours available. And finally, North Point Distillery in Forss rounds things off with award-winning rum and gin.
And if beer is more your thing, John O’Groats Brewery has a tasting room serving craft ales and stouts.
Dunnet Head
Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on the British mainland, which surprises a lot of people who assume that title belongs to John O’Groats.
Dunnet Head sits on a 300-foot cliff above the Pentland Firth, and Dunnet Head Lighthouse has stood here since 1830. The headland is an RSPB nature reserve, home to breeding puffins, fulmars, and great skuas. It is a 35-minute drive from Ulbster Arms and well worth every minute.
Dunnet Forest is also fantastic for walkers and wildlife enthusiasts on the NC500.
Orkney ferry from Scrabster
NorthLink Ferries run a regular ferry service from Scrabster to Stromness in Orkney, with a crossing time of approximately 90 minutes. Scrabster is just a 15-minute drive from Ulbster Arms, and many NC500 travellers add a night or two in Orkney to their itinerary.
Skara Brae alone is worth the trip, a Neolithic settlement older than the Egyptian pyramids and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Western Europe.
NC500 accommodation guide: tips for booking places to stay
Before you finalise your NC500 accommodation, here are a few things worth knowing.
First, book as early as you possibly can. Peak season runs from May to September, and four-star NC500 hotels on the northern section fill up fast. Second, always book direct where possible. At Ulbster Arms, booking direct saves you 10% on your stay. Third, plan overnight stops around actual driving time rather than distance. Single-track roads take much longer than a map suggests.
Finally, if you are travelling with a dog, check pet policies before booking. At Ulbster Arms, dogs are welcome in our dog-friendly rooms throughout the hotel.
Book your NC500 accommodation at Ulbster Arms Hotel
Ulbster Arms Hotel is the leading four-star NC500 accommodation option on the northern section of the North Coast 500. We’re set in Halkirk, Caithness, close to Thurso, Wick, John O’Groats, and the Scrabster ferry to Orkney.
Our hotel rooms also suit solo travellers, couples, families, and groups. What’s more, we’re dog-friendly, EV-friendly, and open year-round. All of this makes the Ulbster Arms Hotel the perfect NC500 hotel for the northern stretch.
Take a look at our current offers and book your stay today. You can also call us on 01847 831 641 or contact us with any questions about your NC500 trip.