Mallaig to Thurso

[Mitsouko67]

We are travelling by car from Mallaig to Thurso and have 2 days and 2 nights to get there.

We don't want to do more driving than is necessary.

If anyone has any recommendations for nice places to visit and especially stay on the way it would be a big help.

Thank you!

I’d recommend stopping at Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint and then staying two nights in Inverness. When you’re there, take a dolphin watching trip.

Do you know whether you'd like to drive up the west coast or not? The previous suggestion would be much quicker but would mean you'd miss one of the most stunning parts of Scotland (in my view) and if you've two days why rush?

You could drive to somewhere around Lochinver one day and then the remainder the next. That said, the section north of Lochinver can be very busy now, with some sections single track. Have a look online or here for threads on here about Route 500.

I've heard v good things about this place - I've not stayed but know the area very well www.tordruim.com/

I would definitely stop at Urquhart Castle - it's about halfway up Loch Ness and is stunning. You can do boat trips on the Loch from the nearby village of Drumnadrochit. There's quite a few Premier Inns in Inverness if you were looking at staying in hotels.

I'd get the ferry to Skye and spend the first night in Portree.

Then take the bridge back to the mainland, and stop off at Inverewe Gardens, spending the 2nd night in Ullapool (at the Ceilidh Place).

Then I'd cut across and get the A9 up to Thurso, because the route round the north west coast is a bit of a slog, unless you're desperate to tick off the North Coast 500, or to see Durness and Smoo Cave.

Between Skye and Ullapool, you'll take in a lot of spectacular scenery.

Thank you all very much, I booked the Loch Ness Inn near Urquart Castle.
Pricey but I went for it.

Now I need to book somewhere within 50 miles of Thurso/Scrabster.

MacKay’s rooms in Durness

MacKays looks wonderful. Have held off on booking as looks pricey. We are already spending 3 days in a bunkhouse elsewhere so not inclined to book that option.

Hearing good things about the Captains Galley restaurant in Scrabster so might look at staying the night in Scrabster which wd be handy for the ferry.

Thanks all.