NC500 Glamping and Unique Stays: Quirky Highland Escapes
From glamping pods with sea views to quirky shepherd’s huts, this list of North Coast 500 glamping and unique stays is full of character and family charm.
These are the ones people keep talking about and I keep this list updated too, so you always have the latest info.
Everything’s laid out by region and in the order of our itinerary to make planning as smooth as possible.
Prefer a different type of accommodation?
👉 Want hotel comfort without the fuss?
Check out the top-rated hotels on the NC500 – perfect for families needing a comfy base after a day of exploring.
👉 Love cosy vibes and a personal touch?
Browse our favourite NC500 B&Bs and guest houses – full of Highland hospitality and charm.
👉 Need space to spread out?
See the best self-catering spots on the NC500 – ideal for family meals and relaxed evenings.
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NC500 Glamping and Unique Stays by Region
Inverness-shire region
Daviot Luxury Pods, Inverness – 5★
Daviot Luxury Glamping Pods offers two spacious, high-end pods just 6 miles from Inverness, perfect for starting or ending the NC500. Both pods sleep up to four with one double bed and one sofa bed. They include underfloor heating, ensuite showers, fully equipped kitchens, and stunning countryside views. The Bramble pod includes a private hot tub.
Guests love: Access to a cosy indoor BBQ hut, making it an ideal year-round retreat. The host, Christine is very welcoming and you have everything you need in the huts.
Nearby: Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns (ancient burial site), Inverness City Centre, Cairngorms National Park.
Top tip: Recommend using the BBQ hut.
The Black Isle region (North East Peninsula)
Culbokie Lodges, Culbokie – 8.4 ★
Culbokie Lodges offers a spacious three-bedroom apartment in the peaceful village of Culbokie, with breathtaking views over the Cromarty Bridge. Perfect for families, the lodge comfortably sleeps up to six with two double bedrooms, one with bunk beds.
Guests love: Stunning sunsets, river views, well-equipped interior featuring a kitchenette, private bathroom, wood-burning stove, washing machine, and free Wi-Fi.
Nearby: Ferintosh Community Market, Culbokie Forest, Dingwall Museum, Fairy Glen waterfalls, Chanonry Point (a magical point for us where we watched dolphins).
Top tip: Make sure you watch the sunset, Spar shop is 2 minute walk.
Easter Ross region (North East Coast)
Delny Glamping, Invergordon – 4.9★
Set in the scenic grounds of historic Delny House, Delny Glamping offers a luxury, family-friendly glamping experience with a variety of unique, well-equipped accommodations. All with private, en-suite bathrooms, WiFi, fire pits, and seating areas.
Guests love: Real quirky North Coast 500 glamping (large family bothies, cosy whisky barrel pods, a luxury smokehouse with hot tub, a historic self-catering apartment), glamping breakfast hamper delivered to your door, BBQ hut and children’s play area, plus animals!
Nearby: Invergordon Mural Trail, Invergordon Naval Museum & Heritage Centre, Nigg Bay RSPB Reserve, Fyrish Monument, Markie Burn Waterfall.
Top tip: Go and visit the resident animals – pygmy goats, miniature Shetland ponies, pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens and ducks.
Sutherland Region (North East Coast)
North Coast 500 Pods, Brora – 4.4★
If you’re exploring the eastern leg of the North Coast 500, the NC500 Glamping Pods in Brora offer a cosy, luxury glamping stop with a touch of indulgence. These stylish pods come with fully equipped kitchens to en-suite bathrooms and even voice-activated Alexa lighting.
Guests love: Luxury touches including underfloor heating and Netflix, on-site sauna and communal area with sofa and firepit.
Nearby: Dunrobin Castle, Brora Beach, Loch Brora, Falls of Shin (great place for spotting salmon), Carn Liath Broch (Iron Age ruin).
Top tip: There are pods that cosily accommodate up to four people with one double bed and one sofa bed, plus free cots are available upon request. A couple of the pods even have hot tubs on the outside decks. Short drive to the village for shops and restaurants.
Caithness Region (North Coast)
North Star Glamping, Lybster – 5★
North Star Glamping offers two luxury glamping pods located on the edge of Lybster in Caithness, right along the NC500 route. The site features stunning sea views across to the Moray Coast, as well as mountain views in a peaceful semi-rural location. The pods are beautifully furnished and fully equipped with en-suite facilities, a kitchenette, TV, and underfloor heating for a cosy stay in all seasons.
Guests love: Just being two pods really makes it feel exclusive, black-out blinds to ensure a great night’s sleep (especially for kids). Maggie is a wonderful host, pods have everything you need including a coffee machine.
Nearby: Whaligoe Steps, Lybster Harbour & Harbour Walk, Laidhay Croft Museum, Dunbeath Strath & Heritage Centre, Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, Wick Heritage Centre.
Top tip: The pods are bigger than you’d expect with one double bed and one sofa bed and plenty of room for two adults and two kids.
Sutherland Region (North West Coast)
Strathy Bay Pods, Strathy – 3.5★ / 9.8★
Located on the scenic North Coast 500 route, Strathy Bay Pods offer luxury North Coast 500 glamping with breathtaking sea views across to the Orkney Isles. Just a short walk from Strathy’s award-winning Blue Flag beach, this peaceful pod site is ideal for a relaxing Highland escape. Sleeping options include one extra-large double bed and a sofa bed or 4 bunk beds.
Guests love: Stunning views, peaceful surroundings, and even sightings of dolphins! Please note that whilst the overall Tripadvisor review is 3.5, this is based on two reviews (one gives 2 and the gives 5 stars). The Booking.com reviews are much, much higher at 9.8. The host, Stacey is mentioned A LOT for her kind and caring nature, offerring a real personlised touch – I wouldn’t hesitate to book.
Nearby: Strathy Bay, Strathy Point Lighthouse, Farr Stone and Bettyhill Museum, Melvich Beach.
Top tip: Pack binoculars for dolphin spotting. Highly recommend reading the Booking.com reviews which honestly describe the pods as a dream stay.
North Coast 500 Pods, Achmelvich – 4.3★
For families craving adventure and beach days, NC500 Pods Achmelvich is the prefect stop. These luxury pods are just a short walk from the stunning white sands of Achmelvich Beach, one of the NC500’s most iconic spots. Each pod is kitted out with a kitchen, en-suite bathroom, underfloor heating, and Alexa smart lighting.
Guests love: Immaculately clean and includes luxury touches including underfloor heating, Netflix and Alexa.
Nearby: Achmelvich Beach, Hermit’s Castle (quirky, tiny stone structure), Lochinver Larder (one of our favourite food stops for it’s famous pies) Bone Caves (walk to a cave where prehistoric bones were found), Ardvreck Castle.
Top tip: There are pods that can cosily accommodate up to four people with one double bed and one sofa bed, plus free cots are available upon request.
Wester Ross Region (North West Coast)
The Fuselage Highland Hangout, Duirinish Oaks – 10★
The Fuselage is my wild card option – a modern aerospace-inspired pod that sleeps 4 (one double bed plus two single bunk beds). Crafted with sustainably sourced wood and recycled aluminum, with triple-layer insulation and a wood-burning stove to keep you cozy in all weather. Nestled in nature with no neighbors nearby, it offers stunning views of Skye, Raasay, Applecross, and Torridon, and abundant wildlife including owls and woodpeckers.
Guests love: Exceptional premium, eco-friendly option for a nature-immersed escape along the NC500. Exclusive access to Cuil na Sith, a tranquil, double-glazed retreat with basic kitchen facilities and panoramic west coast views, perfect for relaxing.
Nearby: Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh, Plockton Village.
Top tip: Pick the Fuselage for a special occasion or just simply to enjoy a glamorous, incredible experience.
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