Lonely Planet Journey North Coast 500

I have a great love for Scotland, and this guide would be invaluable for visiting the places I didn’t get to on my last trip. The brilliant pull-out hand-drawn map showcases this iconic drive, which takes you from craggy coastlines, lochs, and historic castles.

This particular trip starts and ends in the historic and vibrant city of Inverness, travelling along the coastal road to places with curious names like John o’ Groats, Thurso, Tongue, Pollewe, and Shieldaig.

Along the way, there is a wealth of information about hiking the Scottish mountains, learning about castles and clans, enjoying fantastic seafood meals, sampling Scottish whiskey, and visiting crofting museums.

Looking through this guide, it covers everything you would need to know to plan your trip. There is so much that is enticing about this coastal stretch – there are lighthouses and charming villages, ancient stones and cairns, numerous castles with their rich history, stunning, rugged scenery, and plenty of distilleries to do tastings.

The guide also offers a ‘Toolkit’ with practical information, including money, where to stay, attitudes, safety, and other valuable details.

Compact, colourful, inspiring and practical, this is the guide you need to enjoy Northern Scotland.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Lonely Planet