Scotland North Coast 500

[CHIMV8 500]

Been tempted to do this in June,but heard the East is worth it,but West is average?

Anyone on here been on this route,comments would be appreciated.

Or is there a better venue to spend a week in Scotland somewhere

http://www.northcoast500.com/

[N7GTX]

You just have to do this in your lifetime. I've done it twice with many years apart. I dont stick to the exact 500 route as there's lots to see and drive.

From Wakefield to Edinburgh. Next day over Forth bridge to Perth then Glenshee using the A93 (top Gear F Type episode) via Braemar to Balmoral then up to Tomintoul via Cock Bridge. From there on to Inverness using the A9. Next day kept to the east coast all the way towards John O' Groats on the A9 which becomes the A99 to Wick. Stayed in Wick. From Wick via John O' Groats along the north coast, A836, towards the west coast. You'll love it from Bettyhill to Kylestrome and down to Ullapool for the night stop.
We dont go back towards Inverness, instead kept as far west on the coast road as possible through Laide, Gairloch, Kinlochewe to take you through Torridon and Shieldaig.
Make time for the amazing trip over the Bealach na ba to Applecross. The landlady of the pub comes from Dewsbury () then back again. You'll love this bit twice!
Follow the coast road down towards Kyle of Lochalsh then turn east to pass Eilean Donan Castle on the way towards Spean Bridge (A87) and Fort William. Overnight near here. A long day but with daylight till 11pm in June, its well worth it.
A82 through Glencoe of course (!) then down past Loch Lomond. You can either go towards Edinburgh or as we did and past Glasgow to Ayr. Next day A76 to Dumfries, A75 to Gretna then back via the M6 and the A66
but you can detour into the Lakes if you have the time.

My route is not the NC500 as scheduled but does include a huge tour of Scotland so you can see some of the best scenery and drive the best roads. Whichever route you choose, you'll love it.

[trev4]

I'm doing this in June but the lazy way, going with scinic tours who organise the hotels for you then just adding a few days on at the end, haven't decided what we are going to do probably won't plan anything to much for those days till we get there.

[CHIMV8 500]

N7GTX said:

You just have to do this in your lifetime. I've done it twice with many years apart. I dont stick to the exact 500 route as there's lots to see and drive.

From Wakefield to Edinburgh. Next day over Forth bridge to Perth then Glenshee using the A93 (top Gear F Type episode) via Braemar to Balmoral then up to Tomintoul via Cock Bridge. From there on to Inverness using the A9. Next day kept to the east coast all the way towards John O' Groats on the A9 which becomes the A99 to Wick. Stayed in Wick. From Wick via John O' Groats along the north coast, A836, towards the west coast. You'll love it from Bettyhill to Kylestrome and down to Ullapool for the night stop.
We dont go back towards Inverness, instead kept as far west on the coast road as possible through Laide, Gairloch, Kinlochewe to take you through Torridon and Shieldaig.
Make time for the amazing trip over the Bealach na ba to Applecross. The landlady of the pub comes from Dewsbury () then back again. You'll love this bit twice!
Follow the coast road down towards Kyle of Lochalsh then turn east to pass Eilean Donan Castle on the way towards Spean Bridge (A87) and Fort William. Overnight near here. A long day but with daylight till 11pm in June, its well worth it.
A82 through Glencoe of course (!) then down past Loch Lomond. You can either go towards Edinburgh or as we did and past Glasgow to Ayr. Next day A76 to Dumfries, A75 to Gretna then back via the M6 and the A66
but you can detour into the Lakes if you have the time.

My route is not the NC500 as scheduled but does include a huge tour of Scotland so you can see some of the best scenery and drive the best roads. Whichever route you choose, you'll love it.

Thanks Iain confidence reinstalled,where did you stop?

[HKGriff]

CHIMV8 500 said:

Been tempted to do this in June,but heard the East is worth it,but West is average?

Anyone on here been on this route,comments would be appreciated.

Or is there a better venue to spend a week in Scotland somewhere

http://www.northcoast500.com/

Mark - I did the NC500 in May 2016. One of the best trips I have ever done (and a comment surprisingly echoed by my wife). PM me your email address, as I prepared an NC500 pack with maps, waypoints etc. Went through the Dales too, so should work well for you.

[QBee]

I made up my own route, but took the daily driver so we could take the dogs with us. It's quite surprising how many dog friendly hotels there are in Scotland. I just booked six hotels and devised routes in between them, and kept it all a surprise for Erin Dawes (to whom I am related by marriage).

I would add in a drive around the isle of Skye if you have the time. Taking N7GTX's route, just go over the Skye Bridge and drive all the way up to the top of Skye at Uig - lovely friendly hotel there.





Then back down and over the ferry to Mallaig would be my choice, but you do need to book it (£15 with two passengers). And yes, Applecross is awesome, both the route around the top end and over the pass at the bottom. And the fish and chips at the Applecross Inn is a must, so make sure you are there around lunchtime.



It is very personal, but I would take a week and avoid long days of endless driving, but then i am over 60 and prefer to be able to stop and see things/go shopping/walk the dogs or just make it a shorter day sometimes. What did surprise me was how near even the Highlands are. I got from home (Newark on Trent) to Dumfries in less than three hours, and back from north of Perth, via Edinburgh and the Borders, in less than 6 hours without rushing.

[N7GTX]

CHIMV8 500 said:

Thanks Iain confidence reinstalled,where did you stop?

1. Holiday Inn Edinburgh Zoo - very easy to find on the main Glasgow Road off the City Bypass and easy to get to the Forth Bridges. Bonus - good parking with a lot under cover.
2. Inverness Palace - overlooks the river opposite the castle. Not bad but parking a downside. Small swimming pool. Not as grand as its name! Central for shopping.
3. Wick - Mackays Hotel - on the main road near the harbour and centre of the town. Parking on the side road outside the hotel.
4. Ullapool - Royal Hotel - good car park and petrol station by the entrance.
5. Moorings Hotel, Banavie, Fort William - right beside Neptune's Staircase (locks) on the Caledonian Canal. Big car park, faces Ben Nevis but insist on a room in the new wing. Best place to eat is the Nevis Bank Hotel in Fort William (book a table) just 10 mins away on the main road so easy to find.
6. Ayr - Chestnuts Hotel - proper Scottish type hotel. The owner has an MGB so into his cars. Good parking and 5 minute walk to the promenade and the beach. Gets busy as popular so book early for food in the restaurant or the bar.

As Anthony has said, if you have the time go on to Skye and drive up to Uig (ferry terminal) then cut across to the east via the Quiraing (Google for pics) and down to Portree. If you decide to stay on Skye the hotels are overpriced (stayed at the Cuillin Hills twice - fantastic views but food can be indifferent -check the prices!!!) so a B&B is probably the best option depending on your budget.
Once north of Inverness the petrol stations get smaller and smaller. Last big outlet is Tesco in Wick but you will find small places in most villages on the NC500 and down the west coast. No Shell Nitro up here!

[QBee]

The Uig Hotel at Uig on Skye is both reasonable (I remember paying £80 B&B for a lovely brand new room in their annexe) and the food is fine. No issues with parking, and the bar is really welcoming.

Views from the hotel:





And that previous seascape shot was from the beach across from the ferry terminal.


We stayed at the Culloden House Hotel outside Inverness (£140 B&B, but fantastic hotel, food great),






and the Mabie House Hotel, which is close to Sweetheart Abbey, just south of Dumfries (£85 B&B, food great, wonderfully quiet, nice woods for a walk). All prices for two people. I would go back to this one like a shot.

Edited by QBee on Monday 9th January 11:41

Edited by QBee on Monday 9th January 11:43

[N7GTX]

Good finds there Anthony. Planning on going to Lewis and Harris in May so staying at the Uig Hotel would be really handy for the ferry. I see that it is rated at No 1 on Tripadvisor for Skye.