AITO: The Association of Independent Tour Operators
McKinlay Kidd

North Coast 500 Traveller Reviews

Reviews of North Coast 500

Overall Holiday Rating
99%
Excellent 38
Good 1
Average 0
Poor 0
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 39
Reviews Accepted: 39
Reviews Rejected: 0
39 reviews
Sort by:
North Coast 500 by Happy Tripper Kent, 30 Jun 2018
Holiday Rating:

Terrific tour around the top end of Scotland

We undertook a 6-day self drive tour along the North Coast five hundred in a circular route from Inverness. We stayed in lovely hotels with fresh, local food, there was plenty to do and see along the way, and absolutely stunning scenery around every bend (made even more magnificent by non-stop sunshine!). We especially loved Handa Island, the trip out to Cape Wrath, our wild life cruise from Gairloch and touring Inverewe Gardens. The trip was ...

We undertook a 6-day self drive tour along the North Coast five hundred in a circular route from Inverness. We stayed in lovely hotels with fresh, local food, there was plenty to do and see along the way, and absolutely stunning scenery around every bend (made even more magnificent by non-stop sunshine!). We especially loved Handa Island, the trip out to Cape Wrath, our wild life cruise from Gairloch and touring Inverewe Gardens. The trip was made even more enjoyable with the opportunity to drive a Tesla electric car which was great fun on the many single lane roads, and it was surprisingly easy to keep the battery topped up even in remote areas. The trip was a great success overall and certainly exceeded our expectations.

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent arrangements, all information needed was provided, responses to questions was prompt and helpful. Hotels were in very good locations for breaking up the journey. Tesla pickup and drop off at Inverness was seamless. Overall, we had a very professional tour operator who provided us with an excellent holiday.

North Coast 500 by ales48, 7 Jun 2018
Holiday Rating:

Superb!

Well planned, great accomodation and superb weather. Two out of three of these were entirely due to McKinlay Kidd and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they had a hand in the third!

Well planned, great accomodation and superb weather. Two out of three of these were entirely due to McKinlay Kidd and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they had a hand in the third!

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent service - very helpful!

North Coast 500 by Mr P M 18, 20 May 2018
Holiday Rating:

The Outer Hebrides fly drive

Amazing six days in brilliant weather with fantastic scenery, outstanding food and accommodation

Amazing six days in brilliant weather with fantastic scenery, outstanding food and accommodation

Rating for tour operator:

Extremely well organised and helpful, responding to all my questions and requests speedily and efficiently

North Coast 500 by Fell-rover, 13 May 2018
Holiday Rating:

An invigorating experience

We really enjoyed our trip to the North of Scotland and Orkney. The weather was great, stopping places and hotels well chosen. All four of us agreed we'd had a really good trip.

We really enjoyed our trip to the North of Scotland and Orkney. The weather was great, stopping places and hotels well chosen. All four of us agreed we'd had a really good trip.

Rating for tour operator:

They were very good and accommodated our request for a side trip yo the Orkneys, organising passes and ferry tickets.

Reviewer's images:
North Coast 500 by NC500 driver, 23 Apr 2018
Holiday Rating:

A wonderfully organised holiday around the NC500.

The holiday was a self drive tour around the NC500. McKinlay Kidd organised my overnight stops. They selected some outstanding accommodation that made the trip perfect. They also provided an excellent itinerary that helped make the holiday memorable. Clearly a great deal of time and effort had gone into the planning by the tour operator’s staff. The hosts at my four stops were exceptionally helpful. The food impressive. I was delighted with ...

The holiday was a self drive tour around the NC500. McKinlay Kidd organised my overnight stops. They selected some outstanding accommodation that made the trip perfect. They also provided an excellent itinerary that helped make the holiday memorable. Clearly a great deal of time and effort had gone into the planning by the tour operator’s staff. The hosts at my four stops were exceptionally helpful. The food impressive. I was delighted with all four chosen stays. This was a holiday that exemplified the benefit of booking through an agent. They knew the area and they knew the high quality accommodation. The NC500 meanwhile was a stunning drive.

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent throughout. My previous comments very much highlight how impressed I was with them.

North Coast 500 by GPLK, 29 Oct 2017
Holiday Rating:

A VERY SPECIAL TRIP

An 8 day self drive tour round the North Coast 500 put together by McKlinlay Kidd. It all worked perfectly and the little places they selected for our overnight stops were outstanding, each and every one, as were their recommendations for things to do and places to eat. Their use of the Vamoos App was inspired and made planning a breeze.

An 8 day self drive tour round the North Coast 500 put together by McKlinlay Kidd. It all worked perfectly and the little places they selected for our overnight stops were outstanding, each and every one, as were their recommendations for things to do and places to eat. Their use of the Vamoos App was inspired and made planning a breeze.

Rating for tour operator:

See above

North Coast 500 by Mac, 21 Oct 2017
Holiday Rating:

Excellent

Fantastic scenery, excellent hotels. Very friendly with incredible breakfasts. Great locations selected

Fantastic scenery, excellent hotels. Very friendly with incredible breakfasts. Great locations selected

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent. Holiday was very well planned. Hotels and accommodation well selected. Locations very well selected.

North Coast 500 by Kitty, 20 Oct 2016
Holiday Rating:

Magical journey on the North Coast 500 route

I travelled the North Coast 500 route in the first week of October. It was my first time in the Highlands and my eyes were bursting with all the beautiful landscapes. It was also very interesting historically - I had not realised the important part this area played in the World Wars.

I travelled the North Coast 500 route in the first week of October. It was my first time in the Highlands and my eyes were bursting with all the beautiful landscapes. It was also very interesting historically - I had not realised the important part this area played in the World Wars.

Rating for tour operator:

I am not sure whether McKinlay Kidd organised the wonderful weather, but I wouldn't put it past them - they are so good at attention to detail.

North Coast 500 by Cumbrian Travellers, 21 Sep 2016
Holiday Rating:

Wonderful Scottish North Coast 500

We travelled up the west coast of Scotland - fabulous views of caost and mountains with wonderful if scary at times drives over passses along single trsck roads. Then along the North Coast - unfortinately in fog but this too would have offered amazing views! Down the east coast with spectacular sea views. Great hotels/B&bs on the way. Lots of off the route places to visit. In every way an awesome experience.

We travelled up the west coast of Scotland - fabulous views of caost and mountains with wonderful if scary at times drives over passses along single trsck roads. Then along the North Coast - unfortinately in fog but this too would have offered amazing views! Down the east coast with spectacular sea views. Great hotels/B&bs on the way. Lots of off the route places to visit. In every way an awesome experience.

Rating for tour operator:

Booking was easy and straightforward. Personal service from beginning to end and always ready to help and to listen to what we needed and to our suggestions for improvements for the future. Good information given for the journey and recommendations too. Great choice of hotels/B&Bs - each one different in its own way. Have booked with them before and will again.