darkwolf666
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #21
Thank you. I'm going to have to go through all the places people are mentioning and plot them on a map and see what the greatest areas of interest are... Will keep me busy for a while!
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Misc] Anyone done the Northcoast 500 route?
- Thread starter darkwolf666
- Start date
Thank you. I'm going to have to go through all the places people are mentioning and plot them on a map and see what the greatest areas of interest are... Will keep me busy for a while!
Madafwo
I'm probably being facetious.
- Nov 11, 2013
- 1,591
It's on the bucket list of things to do, been going to the West Highlands for years, mentioned it a number of times on here but I fear Bozza is right, the best time to do it has already passed.
I'm back up that way in June, all being well, but I won't be doing the NC500 with 2 small children in tow in 4 days.
I'm back up that way in June, all being well, but I won't be doing the NC500 with 2 small children in tow in 4 days.
I'm on commission.
Best bits are the islands (the ferries are heavily subsidised so quite cheap), the pubs, Oban, Lochinver, the view of Suilven from just about anywhere, Mallaig, Glen Coe, Sutherland in general, Smoo (really!) Cave and the beaches which if they were anywhere else in the world would be unbearable.
Maybe not the worst but the most disappointing bits are Loch Ness and Ben Nevis although Inverness and Fort William are nice enough.
Like I said, the best bet is to get in a car and just drive. For an example most people would head to Kinlochbervie and stop then turn round but there's a little dead end road that takes you out to Oldshoremore and Shegra which is wonderful.
darkwolf666
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #25
There have been some very helpful posts on here.
Next, who has a good programme to recommend for plotting all these locations!!!
In my experience, Skye and Torridon have sadly gone from deserted 15 years ago to packed with tourists now, accompanied by a decline in the standards of restaurants, pubs etc and a ten-fold increase in traffic. Don't get me wrong the scenery is beautiful.
Sadly when I took my wife (in June), we also had rain/snow/fog the whole time.
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
One of the greatest bits of marketing ever. I mean it. They made it a thing. Other areas are trying to replicate the success.
Well worth a trip by the way. The part across the north coast is surprisingly short. We came across a closed road due to an accident - and it resulted in a two hour detour. Classic. Amazing scenery.
Well worth a trip by the way. The part across the north coast is surprisingly short. We came across a closed road due to an accident - and it resulted in a two hour detour. Classic. Amazing scenery.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Sounds like our face masks are still going to prove useful, even post Covid.
MerseySeagull
Active member
I did a version of it back in October from Merseyside, our stops were Mallaig, Ullapool, Thurso and Pitlochry, absolutely stunning scenery full of alien landscapes, would thoroughly recommend
MerseySeagull
Active member
From Mallaig we got the car ferry to Armadale on Skye and drove up to Portree, restrictions meant we couldn't see any more of the islands but there's a ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway that goes most days if you wanted to get right out there
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Hasn't the gorgeous Darcey Bussel been up in those parts recently?
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
We did it as a day trip from Ullapool to Stornoway a few years ago. On a calm, bright day. It was like a cruise. Stunning looking back at the Highlands.
Change at Barnham
Well-known member
Fly easyJet from Gatwick to Inverness.
Rent a car from Avis/Budget or Europcar who have desks in the terminal. The other car hire companies are located on a local industrial estate and you have to get their courtesy mini-bus who will be waiting for you.
As mentioned previously the bit across from Inverness to Applecross and then north up the west coast is stunning, than along the north coast heading east. But it's not so picturesque around Thurso but still lovely.
Book accommodation in advance, May or September are good times to go avoiding school holidays.
I would recommend having a look on YouTube where there is plenty of information provided by people who have also done it.
Change at Barnham
Well-known member
Seagull58
In the Algarve
If you're looking for an overnight stop in Scotland on the way up, I liked Peebles and Perth. If you want to stop further south then Durham is very nice.
darkwolf666
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #36
Last edited:
Lower West Stander
Well-known member
I did it last year at the beginning of September and it was rammed. The good thing is that there aren’t many lorries because there are so many bends. Tends to be bikes and motor homes. Impossible in a caravan which is also good.
Tried to fill up with petrol in Durness and it was an absolute shitshow. There’s one self service pump and that’s it - the queue was down the street. Gave up and was running on fumes by the time we got to Ullapool.
Having said all this, it didn’t really detract. It is certainly the amazing and scenic journey I’ve done in the UK.
I own a timeshare in Ballater so will be doing it again this year going the other way. Really looking forward to it.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Lower West Stander
Well-known member
Hotel recommendation is the Borgie Lodge in Skerray. Just fabulous.
And walk down to Torrisdale Beach. Beyond spectacular.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
And walk down to Torrisdale Beach. Beyond spectacular.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Dick Knights Mumm
Take me Home Falmer Road
Thurso is interesting. It’s the High Street the chains forgot. It just feels like the 70’s. It’s a fairly busy place (we were there on a Saturday morning) and locals seemed to take an age to walk up the street as there were so many people to talk to.
The Fits
Well-known member
- Jun 29, 2020
- 9,631
That was amazing.
Was going to to do it last Summer by bike (but not in 3 days).
This year maybe....