5 Day Far North and Highlands Private Tour
Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross
A comprehensive five day private tour experience from Inverness through Scotland's far north — Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross. This historian-guided journey covers much of the ground made famous by the North Coast 500, but at a deliberately slower pace, with short daily driving distances and plenty of time out of the vehicle to properly explore coastal castles, ancient brochs, sea caves and mountain landscapes.
Day 1 — Inverness to Wick
Departing Inverness, we travel north across the three firths — the Beauly, Cromarty and Dornoch — pausing in the picturesque cathedral town of Dornoch with its medieval sandstone cathedral and quiet historic centre. The afternoon takes us to Dunrobin Castle, the largest and grandest castle in the Highlands, with formal gardens overlooking the Dornoch Firth. Along the way we stop at Carn Liath Broch, a remarkably preserved two-thousand-year-old Iron Age roundhouse, before continuing north to Wick, our base for the night.
Day 2 — Wick to Tongue
From Wick, we explore the dramatic clifftop ruin of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, ancestral stronghold of the Earls of Caithness, perched on a narrow headland above the North Sea. We continue to John o' Groats, the traditional 'end of the road' from Land's End, with views out across the Pentland Firth to Orkney, pausing nearby at the Duncansby sea stacks. The afternoon takes us to Dunnet Head, the true northernmost point of mainland Britain, before a scenic drive along the northern coast road to Tongue, in the heart of Clan Mackay territory, for our overnight stay.
Day 3 — Tongue to Ullapool
Departing Tongue, framed by the mountains of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope, we travel west to Smoo Cave at Durness, one of the largest sea caves in Britain, cut into limestone with a waterfall dropping into its inner chamber. Our route continues through the wild scenery of Assynt, among the oldest mountains in Europe, to the evocative ruin of Ardvreck Castle on the shores of Loch Assynt, once a stronghold of Clan Macleod. We pause at Knockan Crag, where the visible rock strata transformed our understanding of how mountains form, before arriving in the harbour town of Ullapool for our overnight stay.
Day 4 — Ullapool to Gairloch
Our most relaxed day, leaving Ullapool we visit Corrieshalloch Gorge, a mile-long box canyon crossed by a Victorian suspension bridge, with the Falls of Measach dropping forty-five metres below. We continue along the coast to Gruinard Bay, a sweep of pink sand and turquoise water with views out toward the Summer Isles, before arriving at Inverewe Garden at Poolewe — a sub-tropical garden made possible by the Gulf Stream, remarkable this far north. We conclude the day with a short drive to Gairloch, our base for the night.
Day 5 — Gairloch to Inverness
On our final day, we travel along the shores of Loch Maree, one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, dotted with ancient pine-covered islands beneath the slopes of Slioch. Our route continues through Glen Torridon, among the oldest mountains on Earth, rising almost sheer from sea level, with a stop at the pocket-sized fishing village of Shieldaig on Loch Torridon. The afternoon takes us back east through Lochcarron on our return journey to Inverness.
Tour Highlights
- Dornoch
- Dunrobin Castle
- Carn Liath Broch
- Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
- John o' Groats
- Dunnet Head
- Smoo Cave
- Ardvreck Castle
- Knockan Crag
- Corrieshalloch Gorge
- Gruinard Bay
- Inverewe Garden
- Loch Maree
- Glen Torridon
- Shieldaig
Private Tour Price (per tour)
April to October: £4300
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(5 Days)
What's Included
What's included in the tour price?
Tours are exclusively for your private group only (up to 3 persons) and prices are per tour. I only offer private tours and do not combine individuals or separate groups – if your private group size is less than 3 the advertised tour price still applies. Your private tour price includes:
- Private tour for your group only (1, 2 or 3 persons)
- An experienced driver-guide and historian (John Alasdair Macdonald)
- A comfortable tour vehicle with good visibility and generous legroom
- All taxes and fees
What's excluded?
The tour price does not include your accommodation costs, entrance fees, meals and refreshments.
Where should I book accommodation?
To make the most of your tour I recommend you book accommodation in:
- Wick (Day 1)
- Tongue (Day 2)
- Ullapool (Day 3)
- Gairloch (Day 4)
Whilst I do not book accommodation directly, I am always happy to offer advice on where to stay and eat. Your tour quote will include a list of recommended accommodation options for our overnight locations along with suggestions for evening meals.
Is this a North Coast 500 tour?
This tour covers a large part of the North Coast 500 route, though it does not include the Stoer or Applecross peninsulas. These are left out deliberately to keep the daily pace unhurried, rather than a full circuit squeezed into five days.
An honest note...
The route is genuinely one of the most spectacular drives in Scotland, but a few honest considerations are worth knowing before you book.
- This is a tour that moves every night, with four different overnight stops across five days. The slower pace built into the itinerary, with no earlier than a 9am start and most afternoons finishing by 4 or 5pm, keeps things comfortable, but it's still worth knowing in advance.
- The route has also become considerably busier in the summer months, particularly with motorhomes and self-drive traffic tackling the North Coast 500 at their own pace, so there can be more traffic than expected on some of the single-track sections.
- Many of the smaller hotels and guesthouses along the route now request a minimum two-night stay in the peak summer months, which can make accommodation options during that time more limited. Early booking genuinely pays off here.
None of this takes away from what an incredible journey this is. Summer is a fantastic time to see the Far North in full bloom with its long evenings, though spring and autumn offer a quieter alternative with calmer roads and a gentler pace. Whichever season you choose, it remains one of the most breathtaking routes in Scotland and an absolute joy to guide.
Route & Logistics
Where does the tour start from?
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup – I will meet you directly at your Inverness accommodation on the morning of Day 1 to begin the tour. At the end of the tour I will drop you off at your preferred Inverness location.
What time does each day start and how long is it?
Tour days normally start at 9am and last around 7 to 8 hours.
What will the weather be like?
Scottish weather is famously changeable, and it is not unusual to experience sunshine, showers and a brisk wind all in the same afternoon. This is part of the character of the Highlands and Islands: the light is often spectacular, and the big skies over the mountains, lochs and coastline are a highlight in themselves. As this is a private tour, I can adapt each day where possible to suit the forecast and conditions.
Can the tour itinerary be customised?
The tour itinerary is based on nineteen years of guiding experience, previous client feedback, and practical travel timings. However, there is some flexibility and the itinerary can often be adapted in advance to suit particular interests or requests where possible. Changes usually work best as swaps rather than additions, as the routes are timed to keep an unhurried pace. Please mention any requests in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Can I add a history day extension to this tour?
For guests who would like an extra day of history either side of this tour, I offer a private From Cairns to Clans: A History Day Tour Extension from Inverness covering Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Sueno's Stone, Elgin Cathedral (or Pluscarden Abbey) and the Rodney Pictish Stone. It is only available as an add-on to a multi-day tour booking – please request this option in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Comfort & Practicalities
How much walking does this tour involve?
Most stops on this route are short walks from the vehicle to a viewpoint, castle or historic site. The pace is unhurried and there is plenty of time to enjoy each stop. If you would prefer to skip a particular walk or explore at your own pace, that is absolutely fine on a private tour.
How often do we stop?
The tour has plenty of viewpoint, photo and refreshment stops along with regular restroom stops. As it is a private tour, we can pretty much stop whenever you want!
Where do we stop for lunch, and can you cater for dietary requirements?
Lunch breaks are usually at local cafes for light bites such as soup and sandwiches. If you have any special requests or dietary requirements, please let me know and I am happy to work around them (I'm gluten-free myself). Complimentary bottled water is provided in the vehicle, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks to enjoy as we travel. For evening meals, I recommend booking a table in advance at a restaurant or hotel, and your tour quote includes suggestions.
What clothing and footwear should I bring?
Walking shoes or sneakers with good grip are recommended, along with a light waterproof jacket, as the weather can change quickly. All walks are entirely optional and can be tailored to your comfort and mobility level.
How much luggage can I bring?
The current tour vehicle comfortably accommodates up to three passengers. For groups of two, there is room in the rear boot (trunk) for one large suitcase per person (up to 80cm / 31in tall including wheels) plus one small day bag/backpack each. For groups of three, space is a little tighter, so I ask that each person brings one medium bag/suitcase (up to 70cm / 27in tall including wheels) plus one small day bag/backpack. If your luggage is slightly larger than this, or you are unsure about capacity, please let me know the size of your cases and I will confirm whether there is room.
Booking & Availability
How do I book the tour?
The first step is simply to complete a Tour Enquiry Form with your preferred travel dates. I will then reply with availability and a detailed tour quotation (with absolutely no obligation to proceed at this stage). I usually reply to enquiries within 24 hours.
Can I just chat about the tour before booking?
Of course! You can reach me in whichever way is easiest for you:
- Complete a Tour Enquiry Form – just ask any questions in the 'Extra Information' section.
- Email me directly at info@thehebrideanexplorer.com.
- Send a WhatsApp message or call me on +44 7943 863292.
Can I combine this tour with another tour?
Most of my tours can be combined to create a longer private itinerary, allowing you to explore more of the Scottish Highlands and Islands in a single trip. Each combination is planned individually to ensure that the routes, ferry connections and pace of travel work well together. If you are interested in combining this tour with another, please mention this in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Do you offer this tour over the winter months?
This 5 day route is one of three Highland itineraries that can be fully adapted into a winter private tour during November, February, and March. Read my guide to Winter Private Tours of the Highlands to see what to expect.