North Coast 500

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Rodgpeace
Posts: 343
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:33 am

North Coast 500

Post by Rodgpeace »

I would appreciate any feedback members could give on touring on this 500 mile route around North Scotland.
How many miles to travel per day if one wants to allow time to see the key sights?
Does it matter if travelling clockwise or reverse?
Where to stay, ie B&Bs via airbnb etc?
Many thanks
mojo
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Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:41 pm

Re: North Coast 500

Post by mojo »

Some local press feedback here:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... c500-main/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I go to that area regularly (typically twice a year for several weeks at a time) and I now avoid the NC500 route wherever I can. IMO it really is a victim of its own success, and has grown beyond the capability of the local infrastructure to support it.

Outside of "peak season" it will still be lovely, but any time during May - September you are likely to find B&Bs and campsites booked for days or weeks in advance, the route will be overloaded with hired motorhomes with inexperienced and/or inconsiderate drivers, plus huge convoys of car clubs who won't allow faster following traffic to pass, and foreign drivers who stop in stupid places to take photos.

When there late last year I stopped for what should have been a tranquil evening just off the Applecross road, but there was no peace because of large groups of bikers who wanted to treat the single track road as a race track.
BJWilliams
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Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:37 pm
Location: Berrow, Burnham on Sea

Re: North Coast 500

Post by BJWilliams »

Did the NC500 in July last year. Went clockwise and would recommend that way round. We did an average of 90 miles per day (max 126 and min 43 miles). I would allow more time for the first, approx., first two thirds of the route.To be honest we could have taken longer, it seemed that every corner we went around there was a view that needed to be stopped at and taken in. The weather was a bit damp but did not spoil the trip. Scenery is magnificent. You will need to book the hotels early, we thought we had started booking early enough but it turned out to be a little difficult to find places on the route. For one stop we had to do a 34-mile round trip for the evening stop, but well worth it, the B&B that night was superb. In fact, all the other Hotels / B&B’s were on route and were excellent.
Rodgpeace
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Re: North Coast 500

Post by Rodgpeace »

Planning to take this trip in May, which will be in my Volvo P1800.
I am aware that in the height of summer this route can be busy, and there might be considerable numbers of camper vans at times.
My P1800 is a great car to tour in. It is very manageable on tight roads, with steering and brakes well suited to the type of roads expected.
Had a trip to Sweden, Denmark and Norway a few years ago, 4,000 km without incident.
Also drove up to Skye and toured for several days on the isle. In my experience if you book ahead, and then plan to pass the overcrowded spots, most tours can still be enjoyed in the British Isles.
Perhaps I am an optimist.....
Blast
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Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:39 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: North Coast 500

Post by Blast »

Can Suggest you look at the more recently developed Borders 500. We did it with a group of Smart Roadsters about a month ago and loved it. Found roads I had never driven that were outstanding and epic scenery that begged to be lingered over.

Chris
Ex CV8 104/2013
Ex 541 no 541585633

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Reprs
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Re: North Coast 500

Post by Reprs »

Rodgpeace wrote:I would appreciate any feedback members could give on touring on this 500 mile route around North Scotland.
How many miles to travel per day if one wants to allow time to see the key sights?
Does it matter if travelling clockwise or reverse?
Where to stay, ie B&Bs via airbnb etc?
Many thanks
Done this a couple of times and it is outstanding! Last trip we went from Marlow, Bucks on a boys blast and can't wait to do it again!

Dates Hotel Address BB £ Miles Time

14th Friday The Brander Lodge Hotel Taynuilt,PA35 1HT 01866 822243 £110 473Miles 8hr

15th. Saturday Dundonnell Hotel, Little Loch Broom, IV23 2QR 01854633204 £70 230miles 5.5hr

16th.Sunday Mansfield Castle Hotel,Tain IV19 1PR 01862 892052 £113 221miles 6.50hr

17th.Monday Huntingtower Hotel, Perth PH1 3JT 01738 583771 £97 200miles 4.5hr

18th.Tuesday Return drive 431miles 7hr

Totals £390 1,555miles 30hr
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Richard

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Chris_R
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Re: North Coast 500

Post by Chris_R »

Reprs wrote: Totals £390 1,555miles 30hr
Plus at least £550 in petrol if done in an Interceptor!
Chris
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Reprs
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Re: North Coast 500

Post by Reprs »

Chris_R wrote:
Reprs wrote: Totals £390 1,555miles 30hr
Plus at least £550 in petrol if done in an Interceptor!
Oh yes, forgot that bit! But you can’t put a price on grins/mile!
Richard

1974 Jensen Interceptor MkIII
1974 MGB GT
1989 Mercedes 300SL
2020 Moto Guzzi V85TT
2018 Alpine A110
Rodgpeace
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Re: North Coast 500

Post by Rodgpeace »

Just back from doing the North Coast 500, being the tour around the coast of the top end of Scotland. Did this in my P1800 which was well suited to the route, some of which was twisting and narrow, which was great in my agile car. We live in Buckinghamshire and decided to take 15 days to enjoy the full experience, including stopping off to see sites and relations in Northern England and the Scottish Borders. We also wanted to include a day trip to Orkney whilst we were so far north.
The round trip door to door was 1,931 miles and we used 450 litres of fuel; I guess another benefit of using my P1800 rather than an Interceptor, CV8 or 541.
May is an ideal time to do such a trip, as the traffic is light and there are no midges!

To wet a few people's appetite I attach a few photos.

Image
Image
Imageconfessor cromwell
Image
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ajc9415
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Re: North Coast 500

Post by ajc9415 »

Great pictures and a lovely looking car. What a great trip. :D
Adrian
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