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Car events venue in the Scottish Highlands

The Ulbster Arms Hotel is a car events venue in the Scottish Highlands with experience hosting car clubs and group visits. And as well as outdoor space for vehicles, you’ll find accommodation, dining, and function space for members and attendees.

Based in Halkirk near Thurso, the Ulbster Arms Hotel sits close to the North Coast 500 route. We also boast a private off-road car park with three of the fastest EV chargers in the Highlands. As a result, we’re perfectly suited to electric and hybrid vehicles as well as petrol and diesel vehicles.

The hotel also sits 11 minutes from Thurso and is easy to reach from the A9, which connects directly to the NC500 route. Groups travelling from across the UK will find it a straightforward journey north, too, with the dramatic Highlands unfolding as they get closer. Get in touch to discuss options.

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A view of the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Caithness from the river in front of it

Featured event: McLaren Car Club Visit

In April 2025, the Ulbster Arms Hotel welcomed a McLaren Car Club as members made their way along the NC500 route. It was one of the most memorable car club events Scotland has seen to date.

The hotel came alive with supercars during the visit, and guests enjoyed Highland hospitality throughout their stay. This included hearty Scottish breakfasts each morning and a dinner of fine Scottish venison in the evening.

The hotel’s private car park also gave members a secure place to leave their vehicles overnight, with EV chargers for those who needed it. And after long days on some of Scotland’s best roads, the Ulbster Arms’ comfortable rooms gave members a well-earned place to rest.

It was the kind of event we love hosting, and the team looks forward to welcoming more car clubs Scotland-wide in the future.

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Supercars outside the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Caithness

Hotel facilities for car club events and classic car shows

The Ulbster Arms Hotel tailors packages for car clubs and car club events with accommodation, food and drink, and function space. Equally comfortable with classic car events and supercar tours, we provide a versatile base for all car shows and classic car shows in Scotland.

And for smaller groups, the Ulbster and Milton lodge buildings work fantastically well for accommodation. They feature individual bedrooms alongside shared living and dining areas. The lodges also sit in a separate building from the main hotel. As a result, groups get their own space to relax.

What’s more, our team works with each group to put together an arrangement that suits the size, schedule, and budget of the event. Larger groups can combine the lodge buildings with the main hotel rooms, too, and all rooms include a full Scottish breakfast, fast Wi-Fi, and free parking.

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The Beat 4 Restaurant set for dining at The Ulbster Arms Hotel

The NC500: one of the best car events routes in the UK

The North Coast 500 is a 500-mile driving route around the north east of Scotland. It’s widely regarded as one of the most scenic road trips in Europe. The route takes in dramatic coastal roads, mountain passes, and empty Highland landscapes. For those planning car events in the UK, the NC500 offers a setting that no other British route comes close to.

For car clubs, the NC500 also offers light traffic and rewarding driving, with fewer vehicles than many popular UK car events destinations. The northern section in particular passes through Caithness and takes in some of the route’s most remote and rewarding stretches.

The Ulbster Arms Hotel sits just off the NC500 in Halkirk, and is ideally placed for the northern section. And nearby highlights include Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain, the sands of Dunnet Bay, and the Caithness coastline. Consequently, the Ulbster Arms is a natural overnight base for NC500 club runs and road trips.

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The North Coast 500 in Scotland
Testimonials

This is the second time we have stayed here and it was just as good as last time. We stayed in room 7 which was warm and cosy, had everything we needed and had a sizeable bathroom. We did eat here and I can say the fish and chips where amazing, the batter was light and the fish very fresh, breakfast was excellent too and the waitress was welcoming and attentive. Thanks for another faultless stay.

My wife and I while backpacking had camped along the banks of the Thurso. We were awaken by a fisherman after a very cold, wet and windy night. He recommended we visit the Ulbster for lunch and a warm drink. The staff had gotten word from the fisherman that my wife and I had slept in the storm that night and were kind enough to put us up in a room at a very discounted price. We were able to shower which had been quit a while and it allowed us to dry out our clothes and equipment. The following morning the staff let us leisurely hangout and even suggested several things we see and do while we finished our tour of scotland. I can not speak highly enough of the staff at the hotel. Dinner was amazing as well !!! If you ever want to hear some amazing fishing stories just take a seat and enjoy. Cant wait to return.

Went here today to celebrate Father’s 90th birthday. Had a lovely lunch, the food was excellent and so we’re the staff. They were very attentive, bringing the kids colouring books and crayons when they started getting restless. Lovely atmosphere in the dining room.

The breakfast was exceptional. Well-cooked full breakfast. A very good selection of fresh fruit was particularly notable. Service was very efficient and the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the local area.

Just had dinner in the Ulbster, it was superb!! So tasty, lovely presentation. I had the featherblade of beef cooked to perfection, hubby had the pan roasted breast of chicken, the sauce was gorgeous. A pleasure to visit, very friendly young staff, reasonably priced. Highly recommended.

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The perfect NC500 pit stop for car enthusiasts

The Ulbster Arms Hotel works well for drivers arriving after a long day on the road. The private car park sits directly next to the hotel. Vehicles stay secure overnight as a result.

Inside, the bar is a natural gathering point for club members. The Library offers a quieter space for conversation. Beat 4 Restaurant serves locally sourced Highland produce for evening meals. Moreover, the Scottish breakfast each morning sets groups up before they head back out onto the road.

The Executive Rooms in the Milton and Ulbster lodge buildings are especially popular with club members who want more space. Each includes a separate living area, so drivers have somewhere to relax before the next morning’s run. And for NC500 things to do between driving days, the surrounding area offers Dunnet Head, Castle of Mey, and the John O’Groats trail.

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Car show venue hire in Caithness

The Ulbster Arms Hotel is perfect for car shows and car events in Scotland. The hotel grounds offer outdoor space for displaying vehicles. The private car park provides a contained, off-road area for a classic car show display or a meet-up. On-site catering, accommodation, and a distinctive Highland setting also make it a strong choice for event organisers.

Furthermore, our location near the NC500 attracts car enthusiasts year-round. Our team also has experience coordinating group visits and can help with planning and logistics ahead of the event. Organisers are also welcome to visit the hotel and grounds in advance to assess the space and discuss their requirements in person.

Book your car club event at the Ulbster Arms Hotel

The Ulbster Arms Hotel welcomes car clubs and car events of all kinds, from supercar tours to classic car shows, NC500 club road trips, and informal meetups. The hotel is available year-round, too, and the NC500 driving season runs from spring through to autumn. Early enquiries are encouraged for summer dates, as accommodation fills up during the peak NC500 season.

Call 01847 831 641 or contact the team online to discuss a package. The team can arrange showrounds of the hotel and grounds to help you plan your event.

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    FAQs: car events and car clubs at the Ulbster Arms Hotel

    Has the Ulbster Arms Hotel hosted car club events before?

    Yes. In April 2025, we welcomed a McLaren Car Club as members made their way along the NC500 route. Our hotel and grounds came alive with supercars, and guests enjoyed hearty Scottish breakfasts and a dinner of fine Scottish venison during their stay.

    Is there parking for a large number of vehicles at the Ulbster Arms Hotel?

    Yes. We have a private off-road car park directly adjacent to the hotel. It suits a range of vehicles and provides secure overnight parking for club members. We also have three of the fastest EV chargers in the Highlands on site, so electric and hybrid vehicles are well catered for too.

    What accommodation options are available for car club groups?

    We offer a range of room types to suit groups of different sizes. For smaller groups, our Ulbster and Milton lodge buildings are ideal. These feature individual bedrooms with shared living and dining areas in a separate building from the main hotel, giving your group their own space. Larger groups can combine the lodges with main hotel rooms. All rooms include breakfast, fast Wi-Fi, and free parking.

    Can you cater for a group dinner as part of a car club visit?

    Yes. Our Beat 4 Restaurant is available for exclusive hire for private group dinners on request. We served a Scottish venison dinner for the McLaren Car Club in April 2025, and we can tailor menus to suit your group. Our business dining team can discuss options when you get in touch.

    Is the Ulbster Arms Hotel a good base for an NC500 car club road trip?

    Yes. We sit just off the North Coast 500 route in Halkirk, 11 minutes from Thurso and easily accessible from the A9. The northern section of the NC500 passes through Caithness and offers some of the route’s most rewarding and traffic-free driving. Nearby highlights include Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain, and the John O’Groats trail. We’re available year-round, though we’d recommend enquiring early for summer dates as availability fills quickly.