5 Day Far North and Highlands Private Tour
Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross at a Relaxed Pace
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
From 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
- Torridon
- Shieldaig
Private Tour Price (per tour)
March to October: £4200
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(5 Days)
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(5 Days)
Which days does this tour start on?
This tour can start on any day from Inverness.
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.
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.
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 daily mileage low and the pace genuinely relaxed rather than a full circuit squeezed into five days— with no earlier than a 9am starts, and typically at our accommodation by 4 or 5pm for a proper, relaxed evening — See Discovering the Far North and Highlands Insight Article.
Can the tour itinerary be customised?
The tour itinerary is based on eighteen 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. 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?
Yes. For guests who'd like an extra day of history either side of this tour, I offer a private History Day Tour Extension covering Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Sueno's Stone, Elgin Cathedral (or Pluscarden Abbey) and the Rodney Pictish Stone. It's only available as an add-on to a multi-day tour booking — please mention it in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
What will the weather be like?
The Scottish Highlands and Islands are renowned for changeable weather, and even in the summer months we may experience some rain or wind. I always recommend a light waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear suitable for short walks in wet or uneven terrain. Please note that for tours in March, April and October, the weather can be more inclement with rain and wind more common. Most of the itinerary is still accessible during these months, especially as many of the itinerary attractions are outside.
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 a tour or ask some questions before booking?
Of course! I'm always happy to answer any questions and help you feel confident about your trip. 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.
There's absolutely no obligation — this is just a chance to discuss your ideas and make sure the tour is the right fit for you.