Autumn on the North Coast 500: Experiences to Enjoy Along the Route
Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie (c) John Braid / Adobe Stock
Autumn is a great time to explore the North Coast 500. During this season, the Highlands come alive with rich seasonal colours, the evenings begin to draw in and the slightly quieter roads can offer a more relaxed pace for exploring. From crisp walks and changing landscapes to cosy food and drink experiences, it’s a chance to see a different side of the route.
We’ve gathered some of our favourite experiences to enjoy along the North Coast 500 this autumn, from visiting local distilleries to exploring castles, enjoying local food and making the most of the darker skies.
Chasing the Northern Lights
Graham Bradshaw: Achnahaird Beach, March 2017
Autumn can offer some of the best opportunities to experience one of the Highlands’ most spectacular natural sights: the Northern Lights. Northern Scotland is particularly well placed for aurora sightings, and the dark skies and open landscapes along the North Coast 500 provide a beautiful setting for experiencing the Aurora Borealis. September and October can be particularly favourable times for aurora viewing around the autumn equinox.
There’s never a guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights, but clear, dark skies and low levels of light pollution can improve your chances. Before heading out, check the latest aurora activity alongside the local weather forecast, as clear skies are essential for viewing the aurora.
If you’re hoping to capture the moment, take a look at our Top Tips for Taking Photos of the Northern Lights from local photographer Graham Bradshaw. His guide highlights a number of locations along and around the North Coast 500 that are popular for aurora spotting.
Whisky Experiences
Autumn is made for cosy whisky experiences. From distillery tours and tastings to discovering the stories and traditions behind Scotland’s famous spirit, it’s a lovely time of year to experience a taste of the Highlands.
There are a number of distilleries to enjoy across the North Coast 500 route, each offering something a little different. Here are just a few to inspire your autumn adventure.
8 Doors Distillery (John O’Groats)
Right at the northern end of the North Coast 500, you’ll find 8 Doors Distillery in John O’Groats. Scotland’s most northerly mainland whisky distillery, 8 Doors opened in 2022 and offers a chance to discover how whisky is made in a unique coastal setting.
There are a few different ways to experience 8 Doors, depending on how much time you have. The Behind the Scenes Distillery Tour takes visitors into the production area to see the mashing, fermentation and distillation processes, before heading to the warehouse and finishing with a tasting. If you’re short on time, whisky flights are available every day in the lounge, with self-guided tasting notes. The lounge is also a relaxed place to stop for coffee, cake, a dram or a whisky cocktail, with views across the surrounding landscape.
For a souvenir with a difference, you can also Fill Your Own Bottle straight from a distillery-exclusive Seven Sons cask and add a personalised label. It’s a fun way to take a little piece of your North Coast 500 adventure home with you.
Find out more about 8 Doors Distillery
The Singleton of Glen Ord (Muir of Ord)
Located in the heart of the Black Isle, The Singleton of Glen Ord is a great stop for whisky lovers exploring the route. The distillery welcomes visitors throughout the year, with a range of tours and tastings to choose from.
The Classic Distillery Tour takes you behind the scenes to explore the art of whisky-making, the craft of distilling and the mystique of maturation, before finishing with a tutored tasting. For those wanting to delve a little deeper, the Malt to Cask Tour takes you into the onsite drum maltings, through the distillery and into the traditional bonded warehouse, where more than 3,000 casks are maturing. There’s also a Premium Tasting, offering the chance to sample five of The Singleton’s drams with a host in the private tasting room.
The Singleton Sessions take place on the first weekend of every month, bringing together music and whisky at the distillery.
Find out more about The Singleton Distillery
Exploring Highland Castles
Autumn brings a different atmosphere to the Highlands, making it a great time to explore some of the castles and historic places along the North Coast 500. From grand stately homes to atmospheric ruins steeped in history, there are plenty of stories waiting to be uncovered along the route.
Dunrobin Castle (Golspie)
Few places on the North Coast 500 have quite the presence of Dunrobin Castle. Set just north of Golspie, its distinctive turrets rise above the formal gardens, with views across the Moray Firth creating a memorable setting for an autumn stop. With a history dating back to the 13th century, there is plenty to discover both inside and outside the castle.
Explore the castle at your own pace before heading into the gardens and Victorian museum. The museum offers a fascinating collection of archaeological finds, Pictish stones and objects gathered from around the world by the Sutherland family. When it is time for a break, the Dunrobin Tearoom is a welcoming place to stop for homemade soup, sandwiches, hot meals, cakes, pastries and local ice cream.
There is also the chance to catch one of the daily falconry displays, where birds of prey take to the skies above the castle grounds. Watching the birds in flight with Dunrobin as the backdrop makes for a memorable part of the visit.
Find out more about Dunrobin Castle
Ardvreck Castle (Loch Assynt)
For a castle experience with a more mysterious atmosphere, make a stop at Ardvreck Castle, where the weathered ruins sit on a rocky peninsula on the shores of Loch Assynt. The castle is thought to have been built by the MacLeods of Assynt towards the end of the 16th century. It has a fascinating place in Highland history too. In 1650, the Marquis of Montrose was captured and held at Ardvreck following his defeat at the Battle of Carbisdale, before the castle was besieged and captured by the MacKenzies in 1672.
Today, the ruined castle and dramatic Assynt landscape make for an atmospheric stop, particularly as autumn approaches and Halloween draws near. Local folklore has given Ardvreck a spooky reputation, with stories of ghostly apparitions associated with the castle and its tragic past. While these tales belong to local legend rather than recorded history, they certainly add to the sense of mystery surrounding the ruins.
With Loch Assynt and the surrounding mountains providing the backdrop, Ardvreck Castle offers a chance to pause, take in the scenery and imagine the stories held within its ancient walls.
Outdoor Adventures
Autumn is a beautiful time to explore the North Coast 500 on foot. Crisp air, changing colours and dramatic Highland scenery make it a great season for getting outdoors, whether you are wandering through woodland, following coastal trails or stopping to admire waterfalls along the way. From beaches and forests to mountain paths, there are plenty of beautiful places to enjoy on foot.
If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, Liquid Footprints offers mountain guiding experiences, helping you discover some of the Highlands’ more rugged landscapes with a local guide.
North Coast Watersports (Thurso)
If you fancy swapping the mountains for the sea, head to Dunnet Beach and try your hand at surfing with North Coast Watersports. As summer gives way to autumn, the changing conditions can bring more consistent swell to the North Coast, with bigger waves beginning to appear as the season progresses. September can be an especially appealing time to get in the water, with the sea at its warmest around this time of year.
North Coast Watersports offers surf lessons at Dunnet Beach, a long sandy bay that is well suited to beginners and those looking to improve their skills. More experienced surfers can also join a guided surf trip, with the team choosing a suitable beach based on the conditions and providing coaching along the way.
Find out more about North Coast Watersports
Wildlife by Night at Links House (Dornoch)
As the evenings become darker, the Highlands take on a different atmosphere, making autumn a great time to experience the landscape after dark. Wildlife by Night at Links House offers a chance to spend an afternoon enjoying outdoor activities before heading out on a private wildlife safari after dark.
Using thermal imaging equipment, the safari gives you the opportunity to look for wildlife that is active at night and experience the Highland countryside in a completely different way. It is an unusual addition to an autumn North Coast 500 adventure and a great option for anyone looking to see a different side of the Highlands.
Find out more about Wildlife by Night
Shopping Along the Route
There is a wonderful selection of shops along the North Coast 500, whether you are looking for a special gift, something made in Scotland or a little treat for yourself. Shopping locally is a great way to support independent businesses along the route while finding something memorable to take home. Here are just a few places to inspire your next NC500 shopping spree.
The Old School Beauly (Beauly)
Set inside a beautifully restored Victorian primary school, The Old School Beauly is an award winning lifestyle shop with plenty to browse. Its former classrooms now house clothing, homewares, jewellery, books, toiletries, cards and gifts, with a mix of Scottish and other carefully selected products. It is the sort of place where you can easily spend a little longer than planned looking around.
Logie Steading (Forres)
Just a short detour from the North Coast 500, Logie Steading is a unique shopping village and visitor centre that makes a brilliant day out. Set in the beautiful Findhorn Valley, its historic sandstone buildings are home to a collection of independent businesses, with shops specialising in everything from books, art and fashion to food, plants and timber. There is also a café, gardens and riverside walks nearby, so there is plenty to see and do beyond the shops.
Food and Drink
Autumn is a lovely time to slow down and enjoy some of the food and drink experiences along the North Coast 500, from relaxed picnics to cosy Highland pubs.
Ness Walk (Inverness)
For a special picnic with a Highland setting, Ness Walk offers luxury picnic hampers prepared by the Torrish kitchen team, using seasonal Scottish ingredients. Enjoy your picnic around the River Ness or choose a suitable location further afield, with private transfers available within 15 miles of the hotel. It is a lovely way to pause, enjoy the scenery and make a little more of your time in Inverness.
Brass Tap Bar (Tongue)
For a relaxed stop further north, head to the Brass Tap Bar at Tongue Hotel, a Highland pub at the edge of the Kyle of Tongue where locals and travellers can enjoy casual food and drinks. Open seven days a week, the bar serves food from 12pm to 5.30pm, with evenings focused on drinks and a lively social atmosphere. There are also live music sessions on the last Friday of each month, featuring local musicians and traditional music and songs.
For more inspiration, explore our North Coast 500 Food and Drink Guide for more places to eat and drink along the route.
Autumn on the North Coast 500 offers a different way to experience the Highlands, from colourful landscapes and atmospheric castles to local food, wildlife and outdoor adventures. Whether you are planning a weekend escape or taking your time around the full route, it is a wonderful season to discover a quieter side of the North Coast 500.
