What to do on a rainy day along the North Coast 500
*** Due to Covid-19 restrictions some businesses listed may be operating differently, please contact businesses directly to check prior to arriving ***
Don’t let a spell of bad weather spoil your trip along the North Coast 500; come rain or shine, the North Highlands is home to a whole host of sites and activities waiting to be discovered.
Part of the reason that Scotland’s scenery is so magnificent and green is because of the frequent rain – and to put another positive spin on it, if the weather isn’t great, wait for half an hour – it will probably change…
That being said, heavy rain can put a dampener on things, and while much of the scenery in the North Highlands is best enjoyed in dry weather, there’s still plenty to be enjoyed along the North Coast 500 route when the weather takes a turn. In this section, we’ll highlight some of our favourite activities to be enjoyed on a rainy day in the North Highlands…
Make a day of it in Inverness
If the first or the last day of your travels is a rainy one, why not opt to spend the day in Inverness and visit the many attractions in the capital of the Highlands? The beautiful architecture of Inverness Cathedral is worth visiting, and take time to visit Inverness Castle, too – the official beginning and end point of the North Coast 500 route. Why not join the Kingsmills Hotel or The Rocpool Reserve for a spot of Afternoon Tea or alternatively, sample the North Coast 500’s first pancake house with Wild Pancakes?
While you’re in Inverness, why not take a cruise on Loch Ness with Jacobite Cruises? With 10 different cruise and tour experiences available, you’ll be sure to receive a warm, Highland welcome! As you sail down the loch, you’ll learn more about the history, mystery and myths of perhaps Scotland’s most famous loch – and who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of Nessie herself! Loch Ness by Jacobite runs excursions seven days a week, 363 days of the year.
If you are staying the night in Inverness, check out Inverness’ first whisky bar, The Malt Room!
Hop over to the Black Isle Brewery
Make time to explore the Black Isle, too! The Black Isle is famous for the quality of its malting barley, so stop in past the Black Isle Brewery and learn how their fabulous range of organic craft beers are made. After your tour, browse the shop and choose bottles to take home with you, or to enjoy back at your accommodation. During the summer, tours run on average twice an hour. Did you know you can purchase your very own NC500 beer?
While you’re in the area, why not visit the rocpools at Rosemarkie beach? For more information, see our Black Isle guide.
Step back in time at museums and heritage centres
To learn more about Pictish times in Scotland, visit Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie, home to an impressive collection of Pictish carved stones, dating back more than 1,200 years. The museum always has activities for children, so it’s ideal if you’re travelling as a family.
Further up the east coast, Tain Through Time helps to preserve and interpret the colourful history of Easter Ross. Over on the west coast, make sure to visit Ullapool Museum, housed in a Category A listed building, while Timespan in Helmsdale has a virtual reality app which takes you back in time, allowing you to retrace your family history. Great fun for a rainy day! Visit our history section or see how you can get involved with the family
Enjoy some of Scotland’s very best food and drink
From a gourmet feast at The Torridon Hotel to embarking on Glenmorangie’s whisky heritage tour , including a fabulous lunch at Glenmorangie House, the North Highlands has numerous options to delight foodies of all ages, tastes and appetites. Visit the Storehouse and sample their fabulous farm produce, or savour a seafood bonanaza at Kishorn Seafood Bar. The choice is yours!
Warm your cockles with a dram at a whisky distillery
What better way to wait for the rain to pass than by learning about Scotland’s national drink, and the importance that rain has in the whisky distilling process? Just make sure that you have a designated driver, or plan to stop overnight near a distillery.
Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain offers a range of tours daily, all of which allow you to visit the tallest copper stills in Scotland. If you opt for a Heritage Tour, you’ll be served lunch at the iconic Glenmorangie House, too – as well as enjoying a tasting of three key Glenmorangie expressions.
Likewise, make sure to stop by Clynelish, Sutherland’s only remaining, fully-functioning distillery, and Glen Ord, home of the Singleton malt.
If whisky isn’t your drink of choice, why not pay a visit to Dunnet Bay Distillers in Caithness. Producing Rock Rose gin and Holy Grass vodka, using locally foraged botanicals, Dunnet Bay Distillers is owned by husband-and-wife team Martin and Claire Murray.
For more information, check out our whisky itinerary.
Explore the villages and towns off the beaten path
No matter what the weather decides to do, the scenery in the North Highlands is just as beautiful – even with moody skies and rain-soaked landscapes. Achiltibuie and Kinlochbervie on the west coast get our vote for their stunning scenery! Enjoy the beautiful landscapes, stop off in book shops and cafes, and have a relaxing journey.
Explore the North West Highland Geopark – take the rock route or the less travelled roads along the pebble route, or the Coigach geotrail.
Likewise, if you’re looking to get off the beaten path..why not get better acquainted with the fishing villages of the east coast, from the comfort of your car? Did you know that Portmahomack on the east coast only gets just over 600mm of rain a year, compared to the west coast which gets over 2,000mm?
Explore Rockfield, Portmahomack, Tain, Invergordon and Dornoch – and don’t miss Alness, with its pretty floral displays. Read up on our article about the fishing villages of the east coast before you depart.
Why not explore the interior areas of the North Coast 500 on a rainy day, rather than sticking to the 516 miles of coastline? A particular favourite activity of ours on a rainy day is Forsinard Flows lookout tower – visit the Dubh Lochan pools, rich with wildlife, and learn about the peat bogs which make up this natural landscape.
Enjoy art galleries, craft shops and experiences
Join a studio and paint – or simply visit some of the numerous events held along the North Coast 500 route, such as Lyth Arts Centre. For more inspiration, read our dedicated arts and crafts feature.
Pamper yourself
When the weather outside takes a turn, take the opportunity to indulge in a little ‘me’ time! Enjoy a treatment at the Aspen Spa at Links House at Royal Dornoch, or indulge in a spa break at the Royal Marine Hotel Brora,
Indulge in afternoon tea
Treat yourself to afternoon tea along the North Coast 500 – the perfect rainy day activity for foodies in the North Highlands! Start or end your NC500 adventure at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness or the Priory Hotel in Beauly. Alternatively, as you drive west, why not opt for The Torridon’s take on this classic experience, served in th eir plush library, in front of a roaring log fire.
If you are driving the east coast, Dornoch Castle Hotel or Links House offer a traditional Highland afternoon tea in Dornoch.
Browse Picaresque Books and Gallerie Fanoosh
Bookworms, rejoice! The North Coast 500 is dotted with numerous libraries and bookshops, and there’s no better place to begin than Picaresque Books. This charming shop and gallery in Dingwall is home to an eclectic and extensive selection of books on all kinds of subjects. Antiquarian books and first editions can be found here, as well as a wide choice from Dingwall’s own publisher.
In the adjoining Gallerie Fantoosh, you’ll find a mix of modern and unique arts and crafts, glass, ceramics, jewellery and accessories.
Wander through the gardens
On a rainy day, you’ll be able to enjoy the most amazing smells in some of the gardens along the North Coast 500 route. Attadale Gardens by Strathcarron is a delightful hidden gem – and if the weather deteriorates further, stop by their house café for tea and cake.
Take a walk on the wild side
The Bone Caves are a delightful walk, even when it’s raining – at least you’ll be in shelter for part of the time! Walkers here have previously found bones of species such as lynx, reindeer and polar bear which once roamed here centuries ago. Likewise, Smoo Cave, around a mile east of Durness, is set into Sutherland’s limestone cliffs and can be explored on foot or why not take the 20 minute cave tour with the local guide. The area’s weather affects the water levels in the cave..in warmer months you may not be able to see the waterfall.
Visit a castle
On a rainy day, why not take shelter and learn more about Scotland’s history? Dunrobin Castle by Golspie dates back to the 1300s and is one of Britain’s oldest consistently inhabited houses. Did you know it was used as a naval hospital during the First World War, and latterly as a boy’s boarding school? Further up the coast, The Castle of Mey by Thurso was gifted to the Castle of Mey Trust by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1996. While there, visit the Castle, Walled Gardens and Tearoom, and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding county of Caithness.
Look for cruise ships in Invergordon
Why not tie in a trip to Invergordon, where you can spot cruise ships from around the world? Find out what cruise ships are visiting the port.
Take part in a water-based activity
Well, you’re going to get wet anyway! Ace Adventures & Hideaways offer the best white water rafting in Scotland. It’s a good thing Scotland is blessed with plenty of rain!
Why not try out canoeing or sea kayacking with Hamlet Mountaineering or Liquid Footprints – or learn how to gorge scramble with The Torridon activities? Gairloch Canoe Centre also allows you to go sea kayacking around Gairloch and canoeing on Loch Maree.
Get active
If you’re not a fair weather golfer, get stuck in to the numerous top quality golf courses along the North Coast 500 route. With courses at Wick, Brora, Alness and Muir of Ord, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Reay Golf Club is particularly special, as Britain’s most northerly 18 hole links course.
If golf isn’t your game, why not visit one of the numerous leisure centres and indoor sporting facilities along the route?
Hit the shops
Rain – the perfect excuse to go shopping! The Jail Dornoch is a spacious, contemporary store housed in the country of Sutherland’s former 19th century jail, offering a superb selection of unique Scottish gift ideas, jewellery, accessories, luxurious cashmere and quality country wear. Riverside Interiors combines traditional Scottish gifts with an exclusive collection of contemporary and design led gifts – from watches, handbags, designer jewellery, scarves and homeware, to high quality furniture, sofas and lighting.
For more inspiration as to where to shop, why not visit our feature on retail experiences?