North Coast 500
Discussion
I've done the East Coast section of that many times, my parents live in Thurso right up on the North coast. It's not a bad bit of road but it's the main route North from civilisation so you can easily get stuck behind something big and slow for many miles. Passing opportunities are few and far between from about Evanton to Golspie and even fewer North of there. Besides HGVs and farm machinery there's also potentially a lot of tourist traffic, depending on the time of year.
I'm looking to do this over a holiday weekend. Our initial thoughts are to travel to Inverness on the Friday night, then on the Saturday go up the east coast and follow the route as far as Kylesku. On the Sunday, head for Applecross and then home to Aberdeen on the Monday. I don't know the far north area well, but does this sound feasible?
164 coupe said:
I'm looking to do this over a holiday weekend. Our initial thoughts are to travel to Inverness on the Friday night, then on the Saturday go up the east coast and follow the route as far as Kylesku. On the Sunday, head for Applecross and then home to Aberdeen on the Monday. I don't know the far north area well, but does this sound feasible?
That is a fair amount of driving. Second day is about 5 hours driving plus stops. The West and North West is much nicer than the east (more dramatic scenery), so if you want to cut down on the driving, cut out the John o' Groats 'loop'. I know this isn't as 'romantic' but…. just depends how many hours you are prepared to stay in the car.ETA Second day is shorter drive.
Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 31st May 08:53
GetCarter said:
That is a fair amount of driving. Second day is about 5 hours driving plus stops. The West and North West is much nicer than the east (more dramatic scenery), so if you want to cut down on the driving, cut out the John o' Groats 'loop'. I know this isn't as 'romantic' but…. just depends how many hours you are prepared to stay in the car.
ETA Second day is shorter drive.
Thanks for that. Looking forward to the west coast part of the run, based on the pictures posted on here!ETA Second day is shorter drive.
Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 31st May 08:53
164 coupe said:
scz4 said:
I did it all in one day from Aberdeen 2 years ago, so yes more than possible 
560 miles in total. What a day......
That certainly is a great day's drive! What did you drive it in? We are planning to use the Mrs's Mini Cooper S. 560 miles in total. What a day......Durness to Ullapool was the definite highlight!
Edited by scz4 on Sunday 31st May 19:18
scz4 said:
164 coupe said:
scz4 said:
I did it all in one day from Aberdeen 2 years ago, so yes more than possible 560 miles in total. What a day......
That certainly is a great day's drive! What did you drive it in? We are planning to use the Mrs's Mini Cooper S. 560 miles in total. What a day......Durness to Ullapool was the definite highlight!
We are not long back from completing the NC500 last week. Excellent trip with some great roads and spectacular scenery. We did it anti-clockwise - we left Banchory around 1030hrs, had some lunch in Inverness and then headed up to Thurso for the night. Day 2's final resting spot was in Loch Torridon and day 3 took in Applecross before heading back to Inverness and home again.
We all loved it and are planning to do it again but maybe in the clockwise direction - for nothing other than to be different! Some of the roads were single track but traffic wasn't too bad with it being through the week. As a comparison, we did the Applecross run last year on a summers weekend and didn't get on well due to the amount of traffic - plus there was a cycle run on the A85 to Fort William that we had to negotiate as well...
We all loved it and are planning to do it again but maybe in the clockwise direction - for nothing other than to be different! Some of the roads were single track but traffic wasn't too bad with it being through the week. As a comparison, we did the Applecross run last year on a summers weekend and didn't get on well due to the amount of traffic - plus there was a cycle run on the A85 to Fort William that we had to negotiate as well...
Hey Eric, was in my own car for most of it (12C) but managed to swap cars with my old boy (458) for a good few hours as well - slopey shoulder bit in case thee was any dodgy driving observed - it wasna me guv, I was in the other car, honest 
A trip that dreams were made of, loved it
An example of some of the scenery the north of Scotland has to offer:
A trip that dreams were made of, loved it
An example of some of the scenery the north of Scotland has to offer:
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