English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文Not yet assessed Our reading of the sources below, not an official rating.
Stations, bridges and harbours from our guide where we hold a photo; each links to the area page that lists it.
Paying for local transport in North Coast 500
ScotRail (Scotland’s trains).ScotRail runs most trains within Scotland. Its tickets page refused automated access, so check ticket types and any Scotland-only offers on its site.ScotRail tickets (opens in new tab)
Without a car
Getting here
By train
The Far North Line runs from Inverness to Thurso and Wick. Thurso is the northernmost station on the National Rail network and is managed by ScotRail. 1
By bus
CalMac's Lewis page says a direct bus from Inverness reaches Ullapool in about 1 hour 30 minutes. Use Traveline Scotland for timetables along the north coast. 2
By ferry
CalMac sails from Ullapool to Stornoway in 2 hours 45 minutes. NorthLink crosses from Scrabster to Stromness in 90 minutes, and Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope in just over an hour. 3
CalMac (opens in new tab) · NorthLink Ferries (opens in new tab) · Pentland Ferries (opens in new tab)
Once you are there
Single-track roads
Much of the route in Wester Ross, Assynt and Sutherland is single-track with passing places. Pull in to let oncoming and following traffic pass, and never park in a passing place.
Large motorhomes
The North Coast 500 FAQ says the Bealach na Ba road to Applecross is not suitable for large motorhomes, caravans or inexperienced drivers, and advises large vehicles to avoid the coast road from Lochinver to Kylesku. 4
Without a car
Trains reach Thurso and Wick, and buses link Inverness with Ullapool, but services along the remote north-west coast are limited. Check Traveline Scotland before you rely on a connection.
Stops near each area
From our area guides (North Coast 500): the stations and stops listed for each base. See each area's Getting there page for more.
Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt
- Ullapool ferry terminal: CalMac ferry to Stornoway. CalMac says the crossing to Lewis takes 2 hours 45 minutes and recommends vehicle reservations
- Ullapool bus stops: Bus to Inverness. CalMac's Lewis page gives about 1 hour 30 minutes from Inverness; check Traveline Scotland for times
- Inverness: Rail, coach and air hub. The nearest railway station and airport; Ullapool is about 45 miles away by road
- A835 and A837: Car. The A835 links Inverness and Ullapool; the A837 continues to Lochinver past Loch Assynt
Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats
- Thurso: Rail. Northernmost station on the National Rail network, opened in 1874 and managed by ScotRail; trains continue to Wick
- Scrabster: NorthLink ferry to Stromness. NorthLink says the crossing to Orkney takes 90 minutes
- Gills Bay: Pentland Ferries to St Margaret's Hope. Pentland Ferries says the crossing takes just over an hour
- A836 and A99: Car. The A836 follows the north coast from Tongue to John o' Groats; the A99 runs south to Wick
No timetables or fares are copied here: check the operator or Traveline for the day you travel. Taxis and ride-hailing apps operate in most towns, but we have no sourced coverage data for rural areas, so do not count on one at short notice.
With a car
By car
CalMac gives about 1 hour 15 minutes to drive from Inverness to Ullapool. Many roads in the north-west are single-track with passing places. 5
General rules (driving on the left, licences, roundabouts, speed limits in mph, parking, tolls, EV charging): Driving in Britain. Charge points: Zapmap (opens in new tab).
To and from other regions
Straight-line distance from our region centres, and the fastest train time that National Rail publishes on its destination pages (not a timetable; it may include a change). Where we found no figure we say so. The full table is on getting between regions.
| To or from | Straight line | Fastest train (National Rail) | Notes |
|---|
Figures retrieved 25 Oct 2026 for the intercity data. Timetables change.
Stations in our data
19 stations and stops (North Coast 500)
OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Overpass API. Fetched 2026-11-03. This is the list behind the near-me page, not a complete list of stations.
- Altnabreac (rail), ScotRail
- Ardgay (rail), ScotRail
- Brora (rail), ScotRail
- Culrain (rail), ScotRail
- Dunrobin Castle (rail), ScotRail
- Fearn (rail), ScotRail
- Forsinard (rail), ScotRail
- Georgemas Junction (rail), ScotRail
- Golspie (rail), ScotRail
- Helmsdale (rail), ScotRail
- Invershin (rail), ScotRail
- Kildonan (rail), ScotRail
- Kinbrace (rail), ScotRail
- Lairg (rail), ScotRail
- Rogart (rail), ScotRail
- Scotscalder (rail), ScotRail
- Tain (rail), ScotRail
- Thurso (rail), ScotRail
- Wick (rail), ScotRail
Official links
- North Coast 500 (opens in new tab): Official route site with road safety and motorhome advice
- VisitScotland (opens in new tab): National tourist board
- The Highland Council (opens in new tab): Local council: roads, public toilets and local services
- Mountain Weather Information Service (opens in new tab): Mountain forecasts for the Northwest Highlands
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code (opens in new tab): Guidance on responsible access and wild camping
More on North Coast 500: North Coast 500 guide · how to get there
Questions people ask
Can I get around North Coast 500 without a car?
We have not yet assessed getting around North Coast 500. The official links below, and the region guide, are the place to start.
Do I need to check a driving zone in North Coast 500?
We found no charging or low emission zone for North Coast 500 in the official pages we read. Check the council site before you drive in.