Scotland’s NC500 Liquid Gold Run 11–24 May 2027 14 days / 13 nights
I’m not a whisky connoisseur, but when I lived in Edinburgh I learned to appreciate a wee dram or two — and it got me thinking…
I get lots of requests for an NC500 tour, so why not make it a Liquid Gold Run?
This is the North Coast 500 and then some: dramatic roads, island ferries, castles, historic towns, wild coastlines, great company and the history and mystery of Scotland’s most famous spirit.
We’ll ride the NC500, explore the Isles of Bute, Islay and Jura, and stay in some truly memorable places along the way.
There are just six places on this select tour.
Day 1 — Monday 11 May
Arrive in Matlock. We meet from 5pm at the Duke of Wellington Inn, Matlock.
After arriving from all corners of the country, it will be lovely to sit down to dinner together, get to know one another and chat about the adventure ahead. I’ll bring a special bottle of Derbyshire Liquid Gold so that we can toast our good fortune! We’ll go to bed full-bellied, full-hearted and ready for Scotland.
Day 2 — Tuesday 12 May
Matlock to Bowling, Clydeside.
After breakfast — you’ll notice that becomes a theme! — we head north over the Pennines, through the Scottish Lowlands and across the Clyde to Bowling, Clydeside. Our home for the next two nights is the Customs House Hotel, right by the water. This historic area was once closely connected with the whisky trade, including the nearby Littlemill Distillery — one of Scotland’s earliest licensed distilleries and a name still spoken about with great affection by whisky lovers.
Day 3 — Wednesday 13 May
Lowland Whisky & Glasgow’s Industrial History. Today we visit Auchentoshan, one of Scotland’s best-known Lowland distilleries. Here, every drop is distilled three times, giving its whisky its famously smooth and delicate character. Afterwards, there is time to relax at the hotel, enjoy a walk around the historic district or visit Glasgow’s award-winning Riverside Museum, with its brilliant stories of the industry and transport that made this part of Scotland world-famous.
Day 4 — Thursday 14 May
Dumbarton, Bute, Ferries & Stonefield Castle.
We ride alongside the River Clyde to Dumbarton, where we can stop to marvel at the dramatic volcanic plug on which Dumbarton Castle stands. This Scottish fortress has a story involving William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and Norse invaders — all helped by its commanding position over the Clyde. From Wemyss Bay we take the ferry to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. We ride the island on the A886 beside the tidal waters of Loch Striven, take the short ferry from Rhubodach back to the mainland, then cross again from Portavadie to Tarbert.
Our destination is the magnificent Stonefield Castle Hotel, high on the Kintyre Peninsula overlooking Loch Fyne. Built in 1837, it is a proper Scottish castle stay, with beautiful rooms, history, character and fabulous views.
Day 5 — Friday 15 May Islay & Jura.
Stonefield Castle breakfasts are legendary, so we’ll set off well fuelled. A short ride brings us to Kennacraig, where we board the ferry to Port Askaig on Islay. If the weather is kind, we can continue onwards to the wonderfully remote Isle of Jura and spend a couple of hours at the Isle of Jura Distillery. There is only one road on Jura, so we cannot get lost! We then return to Islay and ride to Bridgend, where we check in at the lovely Islay House Hotel. Built in 1677 and set in gardens and woodland overlooking Loch Indaal, it is a very special base for our island stay.
Islay is home to nine distilleries — Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman and Ardnahoe — and we have three days to enjoy the island’s character, coast and culture.
Day 6 — Saturday 16 May
A Free Day on Islay.Today is yours to explore Islay your way. Visit a distillery or two, take a coastal ride, enjoy the beaches, walk, photograph the scenery or simply slow down and enjoy this remarkable island. I’ll have suggestions for anyone who wants them.
Day 7 — Sunday 17 May Islay to Oban.
After breakfast, we catch the ferry back to the mainland and ride north past Lochgilphead towards Oban. Along the way we stop at Clachan Seil to ride across the famous ‘littlest bridge over the Atlantic’ — a cracking photo stop. Tonight we stay at the Muthu Queens Hotel, overlooking Oban Bay. Originally an Episcopalian home for the Bishop of Argyll, this listed Victorian building is full of character. Oban is a great place for freshly cooked mussels on the quayside, a walk up to McCaig’s Tower, or perhaps a visit to Oban Distillery — one of Scotland’s oldest and smallest working distilleries.
Day 8 — Monday 18 May
Oban to Gairloch. Today we head north along lochsides and over hills towards Gairloch, travelling through some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery. We pass the Glenfinnan Viaduct and ride through Glencoe. If time allows, we can also ride down Glen Etive, made famous in the 007 Skyfall film. Our target is Gairloch Hotel, overlooking the harbour. Fresh seafood is a speciality, and the relatively new Badachro Distillery is just around the corner for anyone keen to explore another local flavour.
Day 9 — Tuesday 19 May
Gairloch to Borgie Lodge. We continue along Scotland’s far northern coast roads, weaving between rivers, sea inlets and open moorland. We make our way to Durness, where chocaholics like me are magnetically drawn to Cocoa Mountain! We may stop at Smoo Cave, said to have a pirate story or two, and there is even a zip wire at Sango Bay for anyone feeling brave. We ride around Loch Eriboll, where submarines were harboured during the Second World War, then cross the estuary at Tongue to reach Borgie Lodge. This is one of my favourite places to stay: great food, great banter, a warm welcome and the sort of peace where the quiet is almost deafening.
Day 10 — Wednesday 20 May
Borgie Lodge to Dornoch. After another magnificent Scottish breakfast, we follow the north coast towards John o’ Groats for that photograph and a cuppa. In Thurso, there may be time to visit a small distillery close to my heart — a story I’ll tell you on the tour, if they are open. Then we turn south along the A9, with big views over the North Sea, before arriving in Dornoch. Our base is the Eagle Hotel, close to the beach and welcoming travellers since 1840.
Day 11 — Thursday 21 May
Dornoch, Dunrobin & Glenmorangie. We stay in Dornoch for a second night, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the area. Dunrobin Castle is nearby and is quite simply stupendous — one of the most beautiful castles in the world. If castles are not your thing, Glenmorangie Distillery is close by, or you could enjoy a visit to the whisky bar at Dornoch Castle Hotel.
Day 12 — Friday 22 May
Dornoch to Edinburgh. Today we ride south through the Cairngorms National Park, past Dunfermline — Scotland’s original capital — and across the Forth Bridge towards Edinburgh. We stay just outside the city with secure parking right by our accommodation. A short bus ride takes us into Princes Street and the heart of Edinburgh.
Day 13 — Saturday 23 May
A Day in Edinburgh. A free day to enjoy Scotland’s historic and cultural capital. Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, museums, galleries, the Dungeons, theatre, Leith waterfront — there is plenty to choose from. The Port of Leith Distillery is also well worth a visit for anyone keen to continue the whisky story. Or simply wander, eat well, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy one final evening together.
Day 14 — Sunday 24 May
Edinburgh to Matlock Bath. After breakfast, we ride south to Matlock Bath, returning to our original meeting point with huge memories, plenty of photographs — and perhaps a bag or two rattling with whisky bottles!
What’s Included :-
There are just six places on this carefully planned, premium Scotland tour.
We have chosen May because it has given us some of Scotland’s best weather in recent years — although, as always in Scotland, sunshine cannot be guaranteed!
I do not condone drinking alcohol and riding motorcycles. Distillery visits and tastings are entirely optional, and many places offer small bottles to take away for later.
Liquid Gold Standard — £3,750 per person
Single occupancy Includes: ● Tour introduction dinner ● Tour brief ● 13 nights’ single-occupancy accommodation with breakfast ● Carefully selected 3, 4 and 5-star hotels ● Guided riding throughout with an experienced tour lead and first-aid instructor ● GPX route files ● All ferry tickets ● Booking of distillery tours and castles ● Tour photography ● Tour video ● A Liquid Gold gift Entry fees for distilleries, castles and attractions are not included.
Liquid Gold Shared — £2,950 per person Twin shared accommodation Includes: ● Tour introduction dinner ● Tour brief ● 13 nights’ shared-room accommodation with breakfast ● Carefully selected 3, 4 and 5-star hotels ● Guided riding throughout with an experienced tour lead and first-aid instructor ● GPX route files ● All ferry tickets ● Booking of distillery tours and castles ● Tour photography ● Tour video ● A Liquid Gold gift
Please note: on Islay, shared-room guests will stay in a different nearby property, as twin accommodation at the main hotel is not available.
Entry fees for distilleries, castles and attractions are not included.
This is a proper, once-in-a-lifetime Scottish motorcycle adventure: the full NC500, the islands of Bute, Islay and Jura, glorious roads, wonderful hotels, great people and a good few tales of Scotland’s Liquid Gold.
Charlie F