NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
Planning to go in Easter this year. Will be arriving in Inverness on the saturday, having a look around, stopping over then moving clockwise around.
Never really done a big road trip like this to trying to figure out how far to drive vs getting tired. I have 6 days to go & want to make the most of the journey looking/exploring around as well as getting around in good time.
Also any plans by anybody they want to share or places of interest recommended to stop at
Never really done a big road trip like this to trying to figure out how far to drive vs getting tired. I have 6 days to go & want to make the most of the journey looking/exploring around as well as getting around in good time.
Also any plans by anybody they want to share or places of interest recommended to stop at
bobski1 said:
Planning to go in Easter this year. Will be arriving in Inverness on the saturday, having a look around, stopping over then moving clockwise around.
Never really done a big road trip like this to trying to figure out how far to drive vs getting tired. I have 6 days to go & want to make the most of the journey looking/exploring around as well as getting around in good time.
Also any plans by anybody they want to share or places of interest recommended to stop at
Hi again ;0)Never really done a big road trip like this to trying to figure out how far to drive vs getting tired. I have 6 days to go & want to make the most of the journey looking/exploring around as well as getting around in good time.
Also any plans by anybody they want to share or places of interest recommended to stop at
Some do it in a day, others take a week. Depends how much you want to stop, walk, eat etc. 150 - 200 or so miles in a day is a fair wedge IMHO. Some of the single track roads take time, and you'll want to stop lots for camera moments! If you have good weather you may end up sitting on a beach. If it's pissing down, you'll make better progress.
Have fun.
GetCarter said:
Hi again ;0)
Some do it in a day, others take a week. Depends how much you want to stop, walk, eat etc. 150 - 200 or so miles in a day is a fair wedge IMHO. Some of the single track roads take time, and you'll want to stop lots for camera moments! If you have good weather you may end up sitting on a beach. If it's pissing down, you'll make better progress.
Have fun.
Hello so, plan at the moment is:Some do it in a day, others take a week. Depends how much you want to stop, walk, eat etc. 150 - 200 or so miles in a day is a fair wedge IMHO. Some of the single track roads take time, and you'll want to stop lots for camera moments! If you have good weather you may end up sitting on a beach. If it's pissing down, you'll make better progress.
Have fun.
Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Each day will be about the way to the destination, so stopping off for pictures, breaks, food.Once we arrive we can look around & if need be spend the next morning exploring before heading off to the next destination.
Mileage isn't too big of a worry for me each day & in a diesel tractor so fuel isn't too bad either, with some sensible and some spirited runs.
Will look at booking B&Bs/hotels now though, camping idea is okay but if it's raining won't be too nice of an experience, might mix it up a little.
If anybody does have any suggestions or which page of the thread to look at please let me know.
bobski1 said:
Hello so, plan at the moment is:
Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Each day will be about the way to the destination, so stopping off for pictures, breaks, food.Once we arrive we can look around & if need be spend the next morning exploring before heading off to the next destination.
Mileage isn't too big of a worry for me each day & in a diesel tractor so fuel isn't too bad either, with some sensible and some spirited runs.
Will look at booking B&Bs/hotels now though, camping idea is okay but if it's raining won't be too nice of an experience, might mix it up a little.
If anybody does have any suggestions or which page of the thread to look at please let me know.
Day 3 should be L. Broom to Kylesku via Inverkirkaid & Lochinver. They are almost sold out:Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Each day will be about the way to the destination, so stopping off for pictures, breaks, food.Once we arrive we can look around & if need be spend the next morning exploring before heading off to the next destination.
Mileage isn't too big of a worry for me each day & in a diesel tractor so fuel isn't too bad either, with some sensible and some spirited runs.
Will look at booking B&Bs/hotels now though, camping idea is okay but if it's raining won't be too nice of an experience, might mix it up a little.
If anybody does have any suggestions or which page of the thread to look at please let me know.
http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk
(Fab food at Kylesku).
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 17th February 14:18
GetCarter said:
Day 3 should be L. Broom to Kylesku via Inverkirkaid & Lochinver. They are almost sold out:
http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk
(Fab food at Kylesku).
OOOOHHHHHH good shout there like!http://www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk
(Fab food at Kylesku).
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 17th February 14:18
I drove most of this with the Wife in October last year.
Ok I started from Edinburgh (cos its where I live), but we did it easily and unrushed in 3 days.
Day 1 Edinburgh to Ullapool via an abortive attempt to use the Mallaig ferry to get to Kyle via Skye, so back to Ft William and then across to Dornie, across to Achnasheen (been to applecross many times before), then to Ullapool via Kinlochewe, poolewe etc.
next day was ullapool to Thurso following the 'proper' route, with a few stops on the way - the wee road from lochinver to kylesku is stunning - but I wouldnt want to take a car that is too big or low along it - we were in a 1998 mini and it was perfect. Tea n a stick-bun in Kinlochbervie (ok Inshegra), then a picnic in balnakeil just outside Durness and a nice walk on the lovely beach, then on towards Thurso stopping on tongue breakwater, Bettyhill, Swordly, Totegan and on to Thurso. Good Steak in the Ferry inn Scrabster!
next was along to Wick for Petrol, then down the coast to Inverness, then along to Pennan, then on to Fraserburgh and back to Edinburgh via Aberdoom.
Never felt overtly rushed - only got 64bhp and so no real overtaking ability.
Enjoyed it so much we are going back to do it the other way...and include Applecross again.
Ok I started from Edinburgh (cos its where I live), but we did it easily and unrushed in 3 days.
Day 1 Edinburgh to Ullapool via an abortive attempt to use the Mallaig ferry to get to Kyle via Skye, so back to Ft William and then across to Dornie, across to Achnasheen (been to applecross many times before), then to Ullapool via Kinlochewe, poolewe etc.
next day was ullapool to Thurso following the 'proper' route, with a few stops on the way - the wee road from lochinver to kylesku is stunning - but I wouldnt want to take a car that is too big or low along it - we were in a 1998 mini and it was perfect. Tea n a stick-bun in Kinlochbervie (ok Inshegra), then a picnic in balnakeil just outside Durness and a nice walk on the lovely beach, then on towards Thurso stopping on tongue breakwater, Bettyhill, Swordly, Totegan and on to Thurso. Good Steak in the Ferry inn Scrabster!
next was along to Wick for Petrol, then down the coast to Inverness, then along to Pennan, then on to Fraserburgh and back to Edinburgh via Aberdoom.
Never felt overtly rushed - only got 64bhp and so no real overtaking ability.
Enjoyed it so much we are going back to do it the other way...and include Applecross again.
Mrtee said:
I drove most of this with the Wife in October last year.
Ok I started from Edinburgh (cos its where I live), but we did it easily and unrushed in 3 days.
Day 1 Edinburgh to Ullapool via an abortive attempt to use the Mallaig ferry to get to Kyle via Skye, so back to Ft William and then across to Dornie, across to Achnasheen (been to applecross many times before), then to Ullapool via Kinlochewe, poolewe etc.
next day was ullapool to Thurso following the 'proper' route, with a few stops on the way - the wee road from lochinver to kylesku is stunning - but I wouldnt want to take a car that is too big or low along it - we were in a 1998 mini and it was perfect. Tea n a stick-bun in Kinlochbervie (ok Inshegra), then a picnic in balnakeil just outside Durness and a nice walk on the lovely beach, then on towards Thurso stopping on tongue breakwater, Bettyhill, Swordly, Totegan and on to Thurso. Good Steak in the Ferry inn Scrabster!
next was along to Wick for Petrol, then down the coast to Inverness, then along to Pennan, then on to Fraserburgh and back to Edinburgh via Aberdoom.
Never felt overtly rushed - only got 64bhp and so no real overtaking ability.
Enjoyed it so much we are going back to do it the other way...and include Applecross again.
Any recommended place to stay?Ok I started from Edinburgh (cos its where I live), but we did it easily and unrushed in 3 days.
Day 1 Edinburgh to Ullapool via an abortive attempt to use the Mallaig ferry to get to Kyle via Skye, so back to Ft William and then across to Dornie, across to Achnasheen (been to applecross many times before), then to Ullapool via Kinlochewe, poolewe etc.
next day was ullapool to Thurso following the 'proper' route, with a few stops on the way - the wee road from lochinver to kylesku is stunning - but I wouldnt want to take a car that is too big or low along it - we were in a 1998 mini and it was perfect. Tea n a stick-bun in Kinlochbervie (ok Inshegra), then a picnic in balnakeil just outside Durness and a nice walk on the lovely beach, then on towards Thurso stopping on tongue breakwater, Bettyhill, Swordly, Totegan and on to Thurso. Good Steak in the Ferry inn Scrabster!
next was along to Wick for Petrol, then down the coast to Inverness, then along to Pennan, then on to Fraserburgh and back to Edinburgh via Aberdoom.
Never felt overtly rushed - only got 64bhp and so no real overtaking ability.
Enjoyed it so much we are going back to do it the other way...and include Applecross again.
ullapool - take your pick - stayed in a few bnb's over the years - all are good and there are plenty! we were in the eilean donan - cant say it was as good as it has been in recent years, but was fine.
Thurso - we stayed in the royal Hotel - was a bit tired and run-down, but the room was OK - if an interesting journey from reception, up stairs, down stairs, along corridors - My wife never managed to get it right. It wasnt expensive and the breakfast was quite good I thought.
Thurso - we stayed in the royal Hotel - was a bit tired and run-down, but the room was OK - if an interesting journey from reception, up stairs, down stairs, along corridors - My wife never managed to get it right. It wasnt expensive and the breakfast was quite good I thought.
bobski1 said:
Hello so, plan at the moment is:
Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Look good mileage. Part of the trip is being able to stop off or divert if you fancy it.Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
If you've committed to massive milage everyday you have no time to enjoy it.
bobski1 said:
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
I would avoid Fort William as although its surrounded by lovely places its not a destination town (I grew up there and have a second home locally). May I suggest the Glencoe area to the south by 10 miles: Great bar and decent food The Clachaig or a nicer hotel with fresh seafood etc The Holly Tree.HTH
N.
bobski1 said:
Any recommended place to stay?
I stayed at the "Waterside B&B" in Ullapool recently and liked it quite a lot. Watching the sun rising over the mountains at dawn is amazing.The bar and restaurant at the "Ceilidh Place" in Ullapool seemed nice, the bar was well stocked with craft beer. The whole operation, including hotel, seemed to be run a little leasurely, if that is what you like...
bobski1 said:
Just need to find things to do along the way now
Assuming you are staying at Applecross - there is an okay beach in Applecross bay, but three miles north on the coast road (which you should take, rather than retrace your steps), you'll find Sand Beach (where Monty Hall did his 'big escape'). It's almost always empty, and at low tide is about 3 times the size of this:
Better pic - good view of the Isle of Skye:
You can't miss it, easily seen from the road and good parking available.
ETA - If you want to stop for coffee, our local 'Nanny's' - is nice:
http://www.nannysshieldaig.com/
Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 22 February 07:01
bobski1 said:
All booked, 6 nights away, fairly reasonable prices. Mixture of places finding the best price but genuinely looking forward to it.
Just need to find things to do along the way now
Around Sutherland.Just need to find things to do along the way now
1) Geo Park in Assynt ( http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ ) if that's your thing.
2) Kind of associated with the above are the Bone Caves ( https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ullapool/bonecaves... )
3) Smoo Cave is worth a visit, can take a boat trip deeper in or just enter the main chamber and stare up the way!
4) Lotte Glob Ceramic Artist is worth looking into ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Glob ) between Durness and Tongue.
5) Nice walk up to Castle Bharraich in Tongue ( https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/caistea... ).
6) Coldbackie Beach just east of Tongue is often bypassed but beautiful quiet beach with great views out to Rabbit Islands and Eilean nan Ron ( which was evacuated in the 1930s ).
7) Strathnaver trail which is a self guided drive down one of the main straths on the north coast. Features mainly archaeological sites of interest and includes a couple of significant clearance villages ( http://www.altnaharra.com/activities/strathnaver-t... ).
8) Inland a bit - but I love the drive out from Syre to Kinbrace across open deserted moorland. Passing the ( allegedly ) most remote hotel in the UK ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/4448138/B... ) although not sure I'd recommend staying over!
9) Good beaches in Bettyhill ( Farr Bay ) and between Skerray and Bettyhill ( Torrisdale ) the latter is a bit of a walk across from either side - but worth it.
10) RSPB Centre at Forsinard ( https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a... ) in land a bit again but in the heart of the Flow Country which is seen as a significant natural wonder. If you like the feeling of being in the middle on nowhere - worth a visit.
11) Timespan Centre in Helmsdale ( http://timespan.org.uk/?gclid=CNDWmuy_o9ICFQoUGwod... )
12) Dunrobin Castle near Golspie
13) If you like golf there are certainly some fantastic courses in Dornoch, Brora and Golspie ( also Durness but never played ).
14) Dornoch Cathedral and Jail.
15) Carn Liath Broch between Brora and Golspie is relatively well preserved and often bypassed ( http://www.discoversutherland.co.uk/golspie_broch.... ).
16) Big Burn Walk in Golspie is a nice easy ramble through a leafy gorge ( https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/big-bur... ).
bobski1 said:
Hello so, plan at the moment is:
Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Each day will be about the way to the destination, so stopping off for pictures, breaks, food.Once we arrive we can look around & if need be spend the next morning exploring before heading off to the next destination.
Mileage isn't too big of a worry for me each day & in a diesel tractor so fuel isn't too bad either, with some sensible and some spirited runs.
Will look at booking B&Bs/hotels now though, camping idea is okay but if it's raining won't be too nice of an experience, might mix it up a little.
If anybody does have any suggestions or which page of the thread to look at please let me know.
Fort William is not the best of places to stop for a night. Continue south a few miles and stop somewhere around Ballachulish/Glencoe. Good eating in The Laroch in Ballachulish, or the Holly Tree. Plenty decent B&Bs to stay in.Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Each day will be about the way to the destination, so stopping off for pictures, breaks, food.Once we arrive we can look around & if need be spend the next morning exploring before heading off to the next destination.
Mileage isn't too big of a worry for me each day & in a diesel tractor so fuel isn't too bad either, with some sensible and some spirited runs.
Will look at booking B&Bs/hotels now though, camping idea is okay but if it's raining won't be too nice of an experience, might mix it up a little.
If anybody does have any suggestions or which page of the thread to look at please let me know.
Mrtee said:
I drove most of this with the Wife in October last year.
Ok I started from Edinburgh (cos its where I live), but we did it easily and unrushed in 3 days.
Day 1 Edinburgh to Ullapool via an abortive attempt to use the Mallaig ferry to get to Kyle via Skye, so back to Ft William and then across to Dornie, across to Achnasheen (been to applecross many times before), then to Ullapool via Kinlochewe, poolewe etc.
next day was ullapool to Thurso following the 'proper' route, with a few stops on the way - the wee road from lochinver to kylesku is stunning - but I wouldnt want to take a car that is too big or low along it - we were in a 1998 mini and it was perfect. Tea n a stick-bun in Kinlochbervie (ok Inshegra), then a picnic in balnakeil just outside Durness and a nice walk on the lovely beach, then on towards Thurso stopping on tongue breakwater, Bettyhill, Swordly, Totegan and on to Thurso. Good Steak in the Ferry inn Scrabster!
next was along to Wick for Petrol, then down the coast to Inverness, then along to Pennan, then on to Fraserburgh and back to Edinburgh via Aberdoom.
Never felt overtly rushed - only got 64bhp and so no real overtaking ability.
Enjoyed it so much we are going back to do it the other way...and include Applecross again.
64bhp that's power I could only dream of on my first run up the west coast back in 1974 in a 875 Imp 45 bhp on a good day.Ok I started from Edinburgh (cos its where I live), but we did it easily and unrushed in 3 days.
Day 1 Edinburgh to Ullapool via an abortive attempt to use the Mallaig ferry to get to Kyle via Skye, so back to Ft William and then across to Dornie, across to Achnasheen (been to applecross many times before), then to Ullapool via Kinlochewe, poolewe etc.
next day was ullapool to Thurso following the 'proper' route, with a few stops on the way - the wee road from lochinver to kylesku is stunning - but I wouldnt want to take a car that is too big or low along it - we were in a 1998 mini and it was perfect. Tea n a stick-bun in Kinlochbervie (ok Inshegra), then a picnic in balnakeil just outside Durness and a nice walk on the lovely beach, then on towards Thurso stopping on tongue breakwater, Bettyhill, Swordly, Totegan and on to Thurso. Good Steak in the Ferry inn Scrabster!
next was along to Wick for Petrol, then down the coast to Inverness, then along to Pennan, then on to Fraserburgh and back to Edinburgh via Aberdoom.
Never felt overtly rushed - only got 64bhp and so no real overtaking ability.
Enjoyed it so much we are going back to do it the other way...and include Applecross again.
Back then sheep was your biggest issue, they were everywhere. Skye, Applecross and then onto Gairloch. I've been a regular on the now NC500 ever since.......nowadays it's more people less sheep.
bobski1 said:
Hello so, plan at the moment is:
Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Each day will be about the way to the destination, so stopping off for pictures, breaks, food.Once we arrive we can look around & if need be spend the next morning exploring before heading off to the next destination.
Mileage isn't too big of a worry for me each day & in a diesel tractor so fuel isn't too bad either, with some sensible and some spirited runs.
Will look at booking B&Bs/hotels now though, camping idea is okay but if it's raining won't be too nice of an experience, might mix it up a little.
If anybody does have any suggestions or which page of the thread to look at please let me know.
I understand the desire to allow time for stops and food, but that is an extremely lazy schedule. I worry you've gone too far the other way? Day 1 I would struggle to stretch to 1.5 hours of driving. I'd have a few extra loops and detours in the plan for when you realise it's 10am and you're almost at your destination for the day. Day 1 - Inverness to Applecross (79miles)
Day 2 - Applecross to Loch Broom (111miles)
Day 3 - Loch Broom to Durness (103miles)
Day 4 - Durness to John O'Groats (90.1miles)
Day 5 - John O'Groats to Fort William (208miles)
Dau 6 - Return home via Loch Lomond.
Each day will be about the way to the destination, so stopping off for pictures, breaks, food.Once we arrive we can look around & if need be spend the next morning exploring before heading off to the next destination.
Mileage isn't too big of a worry for me each day & in a diesel tractor so fuel isn't too bad either, with some sensible and some spirited runs.
Will look at booking B&Bs/hotels now though, camping idea is okay but if it's raining won't be too nice of an experience, might mix it up a little.
If anybody does have any suggestions or which page of the thread to look at please let me know.
Another recommendation for The Holly Tree Hotel between Oban and Fort William.
nigelonich said:
I would avoid Fort William as although its surrounded by lovely places its not a destination town (I grew up there and have a second home locally). May I suggest the Glencoe area to the south by 10 miles: Great bar and decent food The Clachaig or a nicer hotel with fresh seafood etc The Holly Tree.
HTH
N.
HTH
N.
A couple of us are doing most of the 500 in a clockwise direction from Friday to Sunday. We are driving up to Ullapool on Friday and striking out from there Saturday morning. Does anyone know what the road conditions are like just now? There have been a few snow flurries recently and I just wondered if these had made it down to road level. We will probably be missing out the Bealach na ba so that's not such a worry but any news on road conditions north of Glen Shiel would be much appreciated.
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