North Coast 500 Accommodation: Top Hotels, B&Bs and Unique Stays
Looking for the best North Coast 500 accommodation – all in one place and easy to follow? We’ve got everything you need right here.
If you’re planning a family road trip along Scotland’s epic NC500 and feeling overwhelmed by the endless amount of information and options? I completely understand – I think I’ve read everything out there!
You just want a straightforward list of hotels, B&Bs, glamping spots and other available options, ideally mapped to your NC500 route so you can stop wasting time and start getting accommodation booked. That’s exactly what we’ve done.
While we travelled the route in our motorhome (and have a full NC500 campsite guide if that’s more your thing), I know not everyone wants to travel with their bed on wheels.
So, I went headfirst into the research, just like I would if I were booking our stays myself. I’ve spent hours reading reviews, asking questions in family travel and NC500 Facebook groups, and checking recommendations from real people who’ve stayed there.
This guide is designed to sit perfectly alongside our detailed NC500 family itinerary and best NC500 beaches post, so you can follow your route and find the best family-friendly stays as you go.
Let’s find your perfect places to stay on the North Coast 500.
How to Use This North Coast 500 Accommodation Guide
This guide brings everything together in one place, ordered to match our detailed NC500 itinerary so you can book your accommodation as you plan your route.
If you want to dive straight into searching by type of accommodation, click on the accommodation type boxes below and view a full list organised by region.
All of the accommodation I recommend is family-friendly, handpicked as if researching and choosing for my own family. Each one offers rooms suitable for at least two adults and two children, and I’ve made sure they’re reasonably priced too.
Or continue reading for more information on choosing accommodation along the NC500. Plus, take a look at our interactive North Coast 500 accommodation map and top recommendations.
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NC500 Accommodation vs Camping: Why You Might Choose a Hotel, B&B, Self-Catering or Glamping Spot
Camping is a classic choice on the NC500, but if you’re travelling with kids (or just value your sanity), booking accommodation can seriously upgrade your trip.
Here’s why many opt for indoor accommodation instead:
- Weather-proof your trip: Let’s face it, Scottish weather can be… dramatic. Accommodation offers a warm, dry space no matter what the Highlands throw at you.
- Make it a year-round adventure: While camping is best suited to summer, accommodation makes an NC500 road trip realistic in spring, autumn, or even winter. No need to worry about frozen fingers and toes, and cold trips to the toilet.
- Escape the midges: Those tiny biting pests can be relentless in summer, especially near water and in the evenings (Smidge repellent spray is an essential!). Accommodation gives you a midge-free haven.
- More sleep, less stress: After a long day of driving and sightseeing, a proper bed and a hot shower can make all the difference (especially if you’ve got little ones in tow).
- No set-up or pack-down: Setting up and taking down a tent again and again is hard work. You’ll be thankful for not having deal with tent poles and and tarp in sideways rain.
- Access to meals and amenities: Many B&Bs and hotels offer breakfast and/or on-site dining, which is ideal when remote stretches offer few food stops.
- Support local businesses: Booking accommodation directly supports the local communities that make the NC500 so special. It’s a feel-good way to travel more sustainably.
🏕️ If you’re still on the fence, you can always mix and match a few nights of camping for adventure, and a few nights in accommodation for comfort.
North Coast 500 Accommodation Map
To help you visualise all the different family-friendly accommodation options along the NC500 route, I’ve created an interactive map.
The interactive North Coast 500 accommodation map shows all the accommodation choices we review and recommend along route. Each accommodation type is color-coded and represented by distinct icons: hotels (red), B&Bs/guest houses (orange), self-catering accommodations (yellow), and glamping spots (purple).
To find out more about each accommodation, click the links below the map. We’ve also listed our top three for each accommodation type further down.
- North Coast 500 Hotels
- North Coast 500 B&B’s / Guest Houses
- North Coast 500 Self-Catering Accommodation
- North Coast 500 Glamping Spots
Top 3 North Coast 500 Hotels
- Bettyhill Hotel, Bettyhill – Charming coastal hotel with sea-view rooms, hearty meals, and a warm Highland welcome.
- Bannockburn Inn, Helmsdale – Traditional Highland inn offering comfortable family rooms, and a cozy pub serving homemade meals.
- The Portland Hotel, Lybster – Family-run hotel near Lybster Harbour, offering cosy rooms and hearty local meals.
Top 3 North Coast 500 B&Bs / Guest Houses
- Shandwick House, Tain – Elegant Georgian B&B with sea views and spacious family rooms.
- Kindale House, Helmsdale – Cosy B&B with a warm, homely feel.
- Scourie Lodge and Gardens, Scourie – Historic lodge with beautiful gardens and a tranquil coastal setting.
Top 3 North Coast 500 Self-Catering Accommodation
- Fishermans Cottage, North Kessock – Charming waterside cottage with stunning views over the Beauly Firth.
- Clashmore House Garden Cottage, Dornoch – Peaceful countryside retreat with lovely garden views.
- North Coast Escapes Apartment, Thrumster – Stylish modern apartment perfectly placed for exploring the east coast.
Top 3 North Coast 500 Glamping Spots
- North Star Glamping, Lybster – Cosy glamping with sea views and stargazing skies.
- Strathy Bay Pods, Strathy – Secluded pods just a short walk from a stunning sandy bay.
- North Coast 500 Pods, Brora – Comfortable, family-friendly pods ideally located for NC500 adventures.
Tips for Booking North Coast 500 Accommodation
Book Early: Especially for summer and school holidays, accommodation fills fast.
Flexibility: Consider cancellation policies in case of weather or route changes, which might require adjustments.
Family-Friendly: Look for places with kid-friendly amenities or flexible meal options.
Transportation: Check parking and access if travelling in a campervan or motorhome.
Use Local Reviews: Just like we’ve used for this invaluable information, NC500 Facebook groups and traveller forums are gold mines for up-to-date advice.
Final Thoughts on North Coast 500 Accommodation
Finding the perfect place to stay along the North Coast 500 is key to an unforgettable trip.
Whether you prefer hotels, charming B&Bs, or unique glamping experiences, this guide helps you choose trusted, well-reviewed options aligned with our full itinerary.
With this one-stop resource, booking your NC500 accommodation along with your whole trip couldn’t be easier.
Happy travels and enjoy every breathtaking mile of Scotland’s epic coastal route!
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