10 Of The Best Hotels On The NC500 2026

If you’re travelling the iconic 500-mile road around the north coast of Scotland and wondering where you can get the best night’s sleep, then this is the blog for you.

I’m sharing the best hotels on the route, chosen for their breathtaking views, access to beautiful beaches, excellent service and cosy comfy rooms. As a mid-range traveller, value for money and affordability is also really important to me. So almost all of these are around £150 or less per night with the exception of a couple of slightly more luxurious stays.

Plus, to make planning your journey easier, I’ve marked each of these spots on the map below. Read on to discover all the best accommodation working from east to west (the direction I’d recommend travelling in!) and find more tried and tested tips below.

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1. Conon Hotel

Location: Conon Bridge (just 25 minutes from Inverness)

Price: £172 per night including breakfast

We’re kicking things off with the historic Conon Hotel, sat on the banks of the river Conon and built in 1780. The building has recently been lovingly restored into a charming hotel just a short 25 minute drive from the start of the NC500, Inverness.

With a range of spacious rooms (some complete with their own sitting rooms), a fantastic restaurant serving the best of traditional British and Scottish dishes, luxury bedding and excellent service, this is the perfect first stop.

Plus, if the sun is shining, head out into their garden for dinner or grab a drink as the sun sets on the start of your adventure!

2. Royal Marine Hotel

Location: Brora

Price: £254 per night including breakfast

Now, when I said a couple of these spots were more luxurious, I was talking about Royal Marine Hotel. This really is a treat you won’t forget in a hurry…

Set in a 21-room manor house on the edge of the sweeping golden sands of Brora Beach, no expense has been spared in providing the best experience. The hotel is beautifully designed with nods to Scottish history and heritage complemented by a calming and natural colour palette. While the rooms are incredibly comfortable with plush bedding, stylish bathrooms and excellent views.

When it comes to the food, their resident chef is on hand to cook a delicious breakfast with Scottish favourites or head to the dining room for a fine dining dinner. Ready to get cosy on chillier evenings? Curl up by the roaring fire in their sitting room to read a good book!

3. Navidale House

Location: Helsmdale

Price: £94 per night

Further north up the east coast you’ll come to Navidale House. This cosy B&B is most loved for its super friendly owners, spacious rooms and beautiful views out to sea.

Head here for a relaxed stay and enjoy evening games in a traditional billiards room, complete with nostalgic atmosphere and a range of local Scottish whiskies.

Another great thing about this place is they’re also happy for you to bring your own dinner. So you can save a bit of money and get a take away or simpler meal to eat in the dining room. All round, an excellent value stay to make room in your budget for more experiences!

4. Acarsaid B&B

Location: Lybster

Price: £124 per night including breakfast

Further north again, you’ll come to one of the best reviewed B&Bs you can find. This is Acarsaid – the 9.8* family-run spot with cosy rooms, freshly made cocktails and charcuterie board dinners crafted with local ingredients. Need I say more!?

This B&B is well loved for a reason – it’s relaxed, welcoming and great quality. So don’t miss out on trying it for yourself if you’re looking for a restful stop near Lybster.

5. Burnside Cottage

Location: Upper Gills, Wick

Price: £176 per night including breakfast

Heading onto the north coast, you’ll find Burnside Cottage. A cosy stop with different sized rooms to suit everyone from solo travellers to family adventurers. Choose one of their beautifully decorated rooms, head to their on-site restaurant for a tasty meal and then settle in for a comfy night.

Plus, each room has its own kettle and fridge for storing snacks or fresh milk for a morning brew. As well as the option of ordering a packed lunch for your day of exploring.

6. Bettyhill Hotel

Location: Bettyhill

Price: £176 per night including breakfast

In beautiful Bettyhill you’ll find this excellent hotel with easy access to the golden sands it’s famed for. Almost every room has a view of the coast including the great restaurant and terrace, perfect for refuelling and relaxing after a day of swimming and exploring.

Other facilities include a games room with darts and billiards for a classic evening in, as well as a shared lounge to read a good book or sip a local whisky.

7. Bonnie Haven

Location: Lochinver

Price: £150 per night including breakfast

Starting your journey south along the west coast, choose Bonnie Haven for an absolute hidden gem. Facing out over Lochinver Harbour, the A-frame building gets all the best views and plenty of sunshine streaming in through the generous windows.

Not only that but the hosts are incredibly welcoming, offering hot drinks on arrival, the best local tips and extra touches for the perfect stay. This really is the place to sit back and relax!

8. Croft Cottage

Location: Ardmair

Price: £159 per night including breakfast

Just outside Ullapool you’ll find Croft Cottage, a traditional croft that’s been restored to a very high standard. It now has a range of thoughtfully decorated rooms that ooze calm.

Settle into the spotlessly clean and fresh space, take in the stunning sea views and watch their brood of cute hens wander around the site. Does it get much better…!?

9. Ardvreck House

Location: Ullapool

Price: £181 per night including breakfast

I think this photo of Ardvreck House says it all… Perched on the hill overlooking Ullapool Bay, the space has been designed to make the most of those breathtaking views. Here you’ll feel worlds away from bustling Ullapool even though you’re only a short distance away. It’s really the best of both worlds – easy access to more restaurants and shops but a dose of tranquility and calm.

Plus, they serve a delicious freshly cooked breakfast and have an honesty bar for late night snacks and treats!

10. Aultbea Hotel

Location: Achnasheen

Price: £153 per night

Last but by no means least is our final very stylish stay – Aultbea House. This property has easy access to a delightfully remote beach for a quiet dip or lounge on the sand. Their range of rooms are all newly decorated with classic styles, luxurious colours and thoughtful touches.

Enjoy dinner in their wood-panelled restaurant before watching the sunset on the perfect final night of your NC500 journey!

That’s a wrap – those are my top recommended hotels and guesthouses to rest your weary head as you make your way around the epic NC500. If you have any other questions about driving the route or exploring the Scottish Highlands, please let me know in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help. Happy travelling!

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