Top 5 Hidden Historical Gems on the North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is world-famous for its dramatic scenery, but it’s also a route steeped in history. Scattered across the Highlands are lesser-known sites that tell powerful stories — often missed by those sticking to the main stops. At Highland Tour Company, we love sharing the places that reveal a deeper side of Scotland’s past. Here are five hidden historical gems on the North Coast 500 we think are well worth discovering.
Clava Cairns, near Inverness
Just minutes from Inverness, this Bronze Age burial site offers an extraordinary sense of timelessness. Walking among the standing stones and chambered cairns, you feel the weight of over 4,000 years of history. It’s a place of mystery, where past and present blur in the Highland air.
Badbea Clearance Village, Caithness
Clinging to a wild clifftop above the North Sea, the ruined homes of Badbea tell the story of families forced from their lands during the Highland Clearances. The memorial and tumbled stone walls stand as a moving reminder of hardship, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Highlands.
Castle Varrich, Tongue
A short hike from the village of Tongue leads to this atmospheric Mackay stronghold. Though only a ruin today, its hilltop setting commands sweeping views of the Kyle of Tongue and Ben Loyal. Standing here, it’s easy to imagine the power and presence of clan life centuries ago.
Ardvreck Castle & Calda House, Assynt
Few sites capture the drama of Highland history like these twin ruins beside Loch Assynt. Ardvreck, where the Marquis of Montrose was once held captive, and Calda House, destroyed by fire in the 18th century, embody the turbulent tales of clan rivalries in a breathtaking setting.
Whaligoe Steps, Caithness
Descending over 300 stone steps carved into the cliffs, you reach a tiny harbour once used by hardy fisherwomen who carried heavy creels back up to the village. The setting is dramatic, the history humbling, and the sense of human determination unforgettable.
The NC500 is more than just a road — it’s a journey through the rich and hidden stories of the Highlands. At Highland Tour Company, we love sharing these quieter, more powerful places that bring the Highlands to life in unexpected ways.
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