NC500 (north coast road)

[Humper]

Not so sure on the fags, Highland midgies will just mug you and nick your smokes If you're camping get a midge net hood, you'll look like a tit but you won't care

[GetCarter]

...and Skin so Soft works as it's so greasy/slippery, midges can't get 'purchase'. All the fishermen here use it... makes 'em smell less fishy!

[cat220]

GetCarter said:

...and Skin so Soft works as it's so greasy/slippery, midges can't get 'purchase'. All the fishermen here use it... makes 'em smell less fishy!

This, been fishing up the North west coast all my life and short of a net its the only thing that really helps.

[johnwilliams77]

cat220 said:

This, been fishing up the North west coast all my life and short of a net its the only thing that really helps.

Smidge works for me too

[rovcallum]

Hi all,
I am planning a night trip around the NC500 (clockwise) in mid-June. Shouldn't be dark for very long though at that time of the year.
I would leave Inverness at around 6pm and plan to be back in Inverness around 6 or 7am the following day.
Looking to get some good photos along the way.

The only issue I see is petrol station availability. I've been searching for up-to-date info on opening times but short of phoning places and asking, I'm hoping someone on here can direct me as to where I can fill up during the night.
I see Scourie has a 24 hour operation with a chip & pin facility. Applecross as well?
Those two would probably cover my needs until I get to Tesco at Wick.
Any more?

Thanks in advance.
rovcallum

[johnwilliams77]

Durness 24hr also

[GetCarter]

rovcallum said:

Hi all,
I am planning a night trip around the NC500 (clockwise) in mid-June. Shouldn't be dark for very long though at that time of the year.
I would leave Inverness at around 6pm and plan to be back in Inverness around 6 or 7am the following day.
Looking to get some good photos along the way.

The only issue I see is petrol station availability. I've been searching for up-to-date info on opening times but short of phoning places and asking, I'm hoping someone on here can direct me as to where I can fill up during the night.
I see Scourie has a 24 hour operation with a chip & pin facility. Applecross as well?
Those two would probably cover my needs until I get to Tesco at Wick.
Any more?

Thanks in advance.
rovcallum

Applecross, 24 hr chip pin, yes, as has Lochcarron

[rovcallum]

Thanks for that.
On further checking, Tesco at Wick only opens at 6am.
Does anyone know of a chip & pin 24 hour petrol station from John O'Groats to, say Golspie?

[mon the fish]

If you can get at Durness, Inverness is only ~200 miles away - surely you can make that on one tank?

[johnwilliams77]

mon the fish said:

If you can get at Durness, Inverness is only ~200 miles away - surely you can make that on one tank?

Inverness to Thurso is crap anyway - skip that bit!

[rovcallum]

I should easily expect a 200 mile range but based on my last decent long drive (when I first purchased the car) it seemed to have quite a thirst. I hope it was just because I was driving "in a spirited fashion".

Anyway, nothing like a bit of planning and having options is always good.

cheers
rovcallum

[TartanPaint]

Yeah... if you average 11mpg, it's best to go prepared.

[AshBurrows]

I get 11mpg too and we're booked up for Endish of June!
3 M3s, Megane RS250, S2000 and 964.
Very excited!

[Rocco1]

Morning all
Anyone doing NC500 this coming Monday. There are six of us touring most of NC500 along with Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull not to mention the odd military roads from Mon 15th May - Fri 19th May feel free to join us (will have spare radio/walkie twlkie to join in with the banter)
The driver of the lead car has completed the NC500 7/8 times and has in depth knowledge of the area :-)
All the best
Tony Rocco

[JM]

rovcallum said:

Thanks for that.
On further checking, Tesco at Wick only opens at 6am.
Does anyone know of a chip & pin 24 hour petrol station from John O'Groats to, say Golspie?

The Wick Tesco petrol station has some pay-at-pump pumps which I'm pretty sure are 24hr.

[rovcallum]

Thanks for this.
I should be OK from Durness to Inverness as said above, but it's good to have options.
cheers
rovcallum

[JM]

Just so you know of other options.

Asda at Tain is pay at pump only and Skiach Services at Evanton is 24hr as well. I'm not sure if Brora has pay at pump now or not, I suppose a quick phone call to them would confirm.

[alangla]

Spotted this earlier - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39894789 - probably all in Gaelic, but I guess it'll have subtitles.

[JM]

alangla said:

Spotted this earlier - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39894789 - probably all in Gaelic, but I guess it'll have subtitles.

Should be worth watching.



Despite the Beetle...

[scoobyc]

For info really - Dunnets in Thurso have a 24 hour pump now as well but no SUL, so could do the job for some that "need" it.