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Scotland NC 500 Drive

A road trip that will leave your mind amazed, your soul stirred, and your heart full of priceless memories.

Trip Overview

Embarq’s Self Drive Tour of Scotland will take you through the most magical mountain passes, rugged coastlines and stunning islands. Drive the zippy Range Rover Sport on the famous North Coast 500.

The high point of the tour will be a drive around and a day at one of the most romantic destinations in the world – The Isle of Skye (meaning ‘Cloud Island’). This dramatic coastline surrounds some of the most exceptional and varied sceneries- one of the rarest in the world. The history, the legends, the scenery, the weather, the music and the poetry combine to produce something extraordinary. It has been justly said that Isle of Skye is a conclusive proof that, sometimes, God was just showing off.

Spend time with the locals, visit some world-famous single malt distilleries, stay in luxurious Scottish castles and soak in the culture. Come and hear Scotland narrate a story like never-before.

About the trip

Travel Dates
12th to 21st July, 2025
Duration
10 Days
Trip Cost
INR 5,95,000/- Per Person
(Considering 2 people in 1 car and stay on twin sharing)
Trip Style
Self-Drive Road Trip
Vehicle
Range Rover or similar
Driving Distance
1400 kms (approx.)
Landscapes
Mountains, Coastlines, Islands

Route Map

Itinerary

Day 0 Arrival in Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh and dive into its rich tapestry of history and culture! From the imposing Edinburgh Castle to the quaint streets of the Old Town, there’s something to enchant every traveler. Relax, explore, and soak in the magic of this captivating city!

self-drive tours in Scotland

Day 1 Edinburgh to Inverness

157 mile day via Aberfeldy – Gentle start using the motorway until exiting at Aberfeldy – possible Famous Grouse Distillery visit – to an overnight stop in Inverness

Day 2 Inverness to John O’ Groats

Leisurely start, drive through the Cairngorms down General Wade’s road to Fort Augustus, Castle Urquhart and Loch Ness. We drive through the stunning NC500 and reach John O’ Groats

Day 3 A Day Break at John O’ Groats

Take a day to rest and unwind in the serene beauty of John O’ Groats, recharging for the adventures ahead.

Day 4 John O’ Groats to Lochinver

We continue driving on the NC 500 – with lots of stops and going off the routes – visiting Dunnet Head (most northerly point).

Day 5 Lochinver to Gairloch

This is the NC500 at its best: Stunning views, beautiful beaches (Durness), the best hot chocolate in Scotland at Cocoa Café and numerous photo stops.

Day 6 Gairloch to Flodigarry

The final part of the NC500 down the west coast including the famous Bealach na Ba and Torridon and then round Loch Carron and over the bridge to Skye.

Day 7 Skye Day

A Day to enjoy the Magical Portree and Isle of Skye

Day 8 Flodigarry to Edinburgh

Enjoy a splendid drive from Isle of Skye to Edinburgh via Inverary.

Unwind in a handpicked, beautiful hotel in Edinburgh.

Day 9 Departure from Edinburgh

Travel back home with memories for a lifetime

“

“I have signed up for this expedition to test my endurance and
explore India's diverse landscapes. Most of all excited to embark on
this journey of self discovery.”

Anuya Deshmukh
Contact Us: +91 88678 09433
Inclusions
  • Recced handpicked routes
  • Car rentals – Range Rover or similar
  • Fuel for the car
  • All exclusive stays on twin sharing basis
  • All meals
  • All internal sightseeing and special experiences
  • Embarq support team
Exclusions
  • International air tickets and Visa
  • Individual insurance & documentation costs
  • Refundable security deposit for car rental (2000 GBP)
  • All personal expenses not mentioned
  • Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances
  • TCS as applicable

Fun Facts About Scotland

Loch Ness
Holds More Water Than All The Lakes In England And Wales Combined.
It has over
790 islands!​
Edinburgh Castle
Is Built On An Extinct Volcano.​

Upcoming Road Trips

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FAQs

What is a road trip?

As the name suggests, a road trip is a journey by road using a vehicle. It is the best way to experience different landscapes and terrains and soak in the culture of a place. Meant for those to whom the journey matters more than the destination.

What is an Embarq guided tour?

An Embarq guided road-trip is a premium fixed departure trip with a fixed itinerary. The trip is designed by the co-founders after a detailed recce of the destination and various routes ensuring the best curated experiences & activities are planned along the route. The stays and food are hand picked. The travellers move in a convoy led and tailed by the Embarq crew that provides personalised attention and support throughout the tour.

What are overland journeys/road-trips?

Overland Roadtrips are Self-Drive road trips that one does in his/her own vehicle where you experience the thrill of crossing India’s border and drive to other countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Central Asia, Russia, UK, Europe etc.

These road-trips require a lot of planning, paperwork and permits, visas etc. Our co-founders have done multiple overland road-trips across continents and we can help you plan it all and experience this epic once-in a life time journey!

What are Embarq Bespoke Road-Trips?

Self-Drive Road-Trips that are customized for you at any of our listed destinations including overland journeys, considering your specific requirements.

You could be a solo traveler or group of friends & family, you can choose the dates suitable to you and the budget that makes you smile!

Our expert team will help you put the personalized itinerary together considering the dates, various routes, stay, food and rental car options to suit your needs!

We can also customize luxury road-tripping holidays for you.

What is the difference between your guided and self-guided tours?

SERVICE GUIDED-FIXED DEPARTURE BESPOKE
Rental Car YES YES
Lead Vehicle & Embarq Team YES NO
Local Guide YES Optional
Back-up/Escort Vehicle YES Optional
Breakdown Assistance YES YES (T&C apply)
Embarq Special Experiences YES Optional
Flexible Dates for Departure NO YES
Group size restriction YES NO
Tour Cost Standard As per individual budget
Planned Itineraries YES YES
Accommodation YES YES
Meals YES NO
Fuel YES NO

What is the distance that we travel every day?

The daily distance we cover depends on the terrain and the scheduled activities. It typically varies between five to seven hours on an average. Please refer to the brochure for detailed itinerary.

What happens if my vehicle breaks down during the trip?

Breakdown assistance is provided on all Embarq tours.

Do all of your road trips have tour leaders?

All guided tours have a tour leader and support crew.

Who are the tour leaders and how experienced are they?

Embarq guided tours are led by our co-founders themselves. They have more than five years of experience in organising road trips and have scouted the routes beforehand.

Do we have to follow the tour leaders on a guided tour?

Yes. To get the best experience on our guided tours, we expect you to follow the group leader/lead vehicle.