Enjoy North Coast 500 scenery over the Easter holidays

This Easter holiday, bring the family on an adventure through the rugged coastline of the North of Scotland. Experience breathtaking views, dramatic scenery and enjoy some of the finest seasonal food available. The North Coast 500 is of the UK’s most thrilling driving routes, taking you along a coastal journey that you will never forget. Make sure you stop in Caithness and explore own North Coast 500 scenery, before resting up in Mackays Hotel. 

What is the North Coast 500?

The North Coast 500 – or NC 500 – is a circular driving route with Inverness in the south, Caithness in the north and Wester Ross and Easter Ross at either side. Over 516 miles, you will experience the real Scotland, visiting areas of unspoilt beauty and wildlife havens. 

Whether you drive all or part of the route, it’s a great way to spend your Easter holidays. That’s because you can enjoy all the splendour of the journey but without the queues and traffic that the heigh of summer often brings to the area. 

Sites to visit in Caithness

So where should you stop on your way around to make the most of North Coast 500 scenery in Caithness? Here are some ideas for breaking up your journey.

Keiss Castle

Sitting atop a cliff overlooking Sinclair’s Bay, this ruin looks like something out of Game of Thrones. Keiss Castle was once a 4 storey tower house built in the 17th century. Although inaccessible due to susceptibility to coastal erosion, it makes for a wonderful sight, especially at sunset as the orange light hits the towers.
Read more about Keiss Castle here. 

Dunnet Head

As you travel through Caithness along the NC500 route, make a stop at Dunnet Head. Forget John O-Groats – this is Britain’s most northerly point. Its windswept headland offers breathtaking panoramic views across the Pentland Firth towards the Orkney Islands. Take a moment to soak in the wild beauty of the surrounding landscape and keep an eye out for seabirds soaring overhead.
Find out more about Dunnet Head here.

North Coast Visitor Centre

If you are looking for an indoor attraction to find out more about Caithness, then we highly recommend the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso. Stretching back 416 million years, it tells the story of the area up to today. See the geology, learn about the wildlife and understand the people who lived in this area for thousands of years. There’s also a cafe to keep you fuelled up for the rest of your trip.
Discover the North Coast Visitor Centre here.

The shortest street in the world

Finally, be sure to visit the shortest street in the world, Ebenezer Place, which just happens to be here outside Mackays Hotel! It’s a great place to take a photo as a memento of your trip. The street is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Read more about the shortest street in the world here. 

Relax in our self-catering apartments

Sometimes you just need a place to stretch out and call home, especially when doing a lot of driving. This is why so many people love our self-catering apartments. These are available year-round and offer small and larger groups the chance to spend time together in a homely environment. They are dog friendly too, so there’s no excuse to leave anyone behind!

Enjoy amenities such as free Wi-Fi, en suite bathrooms and comfortable beds. Find out more about our self-catering houses here.

Enjoy Caithness this Easter

This Easter holiday, throw caution to the wind and explore Scotland on the NC 500. Take time in Caithness to enjoy our history and culture, and immerse yourself in the Scottish Highlands. From windswept headlands to historic castles, this captivating region invites exploration at every turn.

Make the most of your stay when enjoying the North Coast 500 scenery and take advantage of our special offers, including a family fun offer for when you take the whole clan on holiday.