Scotland's Northern Edge

From Glasgow and Edinburgh, our far north adventure starts by crossing the Firth of Forth to reach the Kingdom of Fife and the rolling farmlands of Perthshire beyond.

There is a refreshment break before we continue through the Grampian Mountains to reach the Spey Valley and the scenic beauty of the Cairngorms National Park.

From Inverness, we will follow the famous North Coast 500 route and experience some of the fine coastal scenery for which this remarkable journey is famed.

After crossing the Dornoch Firth, we come to Tain, which starts our circular tour of the far north of Scotland.

We will see several small fishing villages that hug the coastline, reminders of the importance of herring fishing to this part of the country in the 19th Century.

Thurso, the most northerly town on the Scottish mainland, is our destination for today. There will be time to relax before enjoying dinner.

After breakfast, we head out to discover more highlights of the Northern Highlands. Our first visit is to the spectacular cliffs at Duncansby Head. We’ll see the lonely lighthouse built in 1924 and then follow the coastal path to see the Long Geo of Sclaites, a massive collapsed cave that has created a deep cleft in the cliffs. A further walk along the clifftop provides an ideal view of the impressive sea stacks.

Our next stop is John O’Groats, the most northerly village in mainland Britain. Famous for its pairing with Lands End, 874 miles to the south, this is the start or end point for all types of human endeavour, often used to raise money for good causes. During our visit, a selfie at the signpost is almost obligatory, but the main attraction here is the view over the wild waters of the Pentland Firth towards the Orkney Islands.  

Next is a visit to the Castle of Mey. It was built in the 1600s by the Earl of Caithness and had fallen into disrepair when HM Queen Elizabeth, the late Queen Mother, bought it in 1952. The castle was completely renovated under her ownership, and the grounds were developed to create the beautiful gardens we can see today.

The Castle of Mey became a favoured residence, and The Queen Mother holidayed there for nearly 50 years, her last visit being in 2001.

Our last stop today is at Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the British mainland.  It offers remarkable views over the Pentland Firth and the little island of Stroma.

We return to Thurso in time to relax before dinner.

A day of dramatic scenery awaits as we travel across the very top of Scotland to reach our next hotel in Kinlochbervie.

From Thurso, we travel across the top of Scotland to reach Bettyhill where there is a visit to the Strathnaver Museum which tells the history of the region from prehistoric times through to the rise of the Clan MacKay, which dominated the area.

The notorious 18th Century “Highland Clearances” is an important story told at the museum. Local people were evicted from their homes by the landowners to make way for commercial sheep farming. Many people made the decision to resettle in Glasgow or were “encouraged” to emigrate to the New World.

We’ll make the short drive to Strathnaver, where we will see the now deserted homes and cottages of a once-thriving community. They provide a moving reminder of the 350 families that were forced to flee from this valley between 1814 and 1819.

We make our way to the scenic village of Tongue for a break and a chance to stretch our legs. The name “Tongue” originates from the Old Norse word tunga, meaning a tongue of land that juts into the loch—a fitting description of its unique geography. Although Norse settlers likely lived here between the 9th and 12th centuries, no definitive traces of their presence remain.

The tour continues past Ben Hope, the tallest mountain in the north of Scotland then along the banks of Loch Eriboll, a picturesque sea loch.

Our next stop will be to visit the impressive Smoo Cave. The entrance is the largest of any sea cave in the British Isles. On our visit see the thundering waters of the Allt Smoo cascade 196 feet (60m) through a sinkhole into the inner cave below.

A short drive brings us to to the little village of Durness, which was a holiday favourite of John Lennon. He had a cousin who lived here and spent many childhood holidays in the area. The village has a garden dedicated to his memory.

From the Kyle of Durness we travel through the desolate landscapes of North West Sutherland. The locals call this area “The Lonely Lands”, as you’ll soon appreciate.

Journeys end today is Kinlochbervie, a thriving fishing port on the banks of Loch Inchard.

After breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to Knockan Crag, a remarkable open-air visitor centre nestled within the North West Highlands Geopark. Here, interactive panels reveal the ancient geological wonders of the landscape, offering insight into one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. As you explore, take in panoramic views stretching across the rugged Sutherland hills—a photographer’s dream and a geologist’s paradise.

Our journey continues to the haunting ruins of Ardvreck Castle, perched on the shores of Loch Assynt. Once home to the MacLeods of Assynt, this dramatic ruin whispers tales of clan feuds and betrayal. From here, we travel to the quaint village of Lochinver, where you’ll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch at your leisure (meals not included). Be sure to try one of the village’s famous pies if you’re feeling peckish!

Next, we stop at Highland Stoneware, renowned for its handcrafted, hand-painted pottery inspired by the Highlands’ natural beauty. Watch artisans at work and perhaps pick up a unique keepsake.

We round off the day by driving the incredibly scenic coastal route via Drumbeg and Eddrachillis Bay, a winding journey of wild seascapes and craggy cliffs, before returning to Kinlochbervie for the evening.

We say farewell to Kinlochbervie after breakfast and start our journey southwards.

Our first treat is Loch Stack, which is overshadowed by the dramatic cliffs of Ben Stack, followed by Loch Shin, a silver ribbon that stretches for 17 miles, surrounded by rolling hills, moorland, and wind-swept pine forests.

From the lonely village of Lairg we head to the famous Falls of Shin, where salmon battle their way upstream to spawn.

Leaving Bonar Bridge we travel along the banks of the Dornoch Firth to reach Tain, which completes our circular tour of the Northern Highlands.

From Tain, our homeward journey follows the outward route via Inverness. We’ll make a stop for refreshments before reaching Edinburgh then Glasgow by early evening.