NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
Just been reading some blogs on things to do, slowly building up the itinerary of what to do, would quite like to get a kayak in the sea & go to another isle. Entirely weather dependent of course but anybody recommend a play they've been to do it?
Also if there are any shooting places that are worth going to, always wanted to do clay pigeon shooting
Also if there are any shooting places that are worth going to, always wanted to do clay pigeon shooting
Edited by bobski1 on Friday 10th March 14:31
bobski1 said:
Just been reading some blogs on things to do, slowly building up the itinerary of what to do, would quite like to get a kayak in the sea & go to another isle. Entirely weather dependent of course but anybody recommend a play they've been to do it?
Also if there are any shooting places that are worth going to, always wanted to do clay pigeon shooting
Torridon Activities do clay shooting and kayaking. Also if there are any shooting places that are worth going to, always wanted to do clay pigeon shooting
Edited by bobski1 on Friday 10th March 14:31
Shieldiag Outdoor Adventures do Kyaking
Torridon Seatours will take you to Rona
CalMac will take you to all the big Islands.
https://www.thetorridon.com/activities/
http://shieldaigadventures.com
http://www.torridonseatours.com
https://www.calmac.co.uk
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 10th March 15:20
bobski1 said:
would quite like to get a kayak in the sea & go to another isle.
http://www.norwestseakayaking.com/ In Ullapool/Coigach may be able to help. A paddle to (some) of the Summer Isles would be great in good weather.
Other non kayak option could be Handa Island for the sea bird colonies, small 'ferry' boat to get there.
Bigger ferry and island could be a trip to Orkney from Scrabster or Gills Bay.
Morning ferry, day-trip round some of the main sites on Orkney mainland and ferry back in the evening is possible either with your own car or as a passenger and then on a coach (from J O'G's).
Mull and Skye are easily added to a West coast road trip as you can land at one port and leave from another, landing further up the coast. Though neither are on the NC500 route...
Edited by JM on Friday 10th March 22:02
bobski1 said:
In terms of car prep, what do people adivse to take?
I will be changing the wipers the day I go & will have the following:
Oil
coolant
water
spare tyre
air compressor
high vis
first aid kit
spare bulbs for all
torch
safety triangle
Oil if your car burns it on long runs (finding the right oil can be a little tricky up north). I wouldn't really go overboard though you'll never be too far from civilisation!I will be changing the wipers the day I go & will have the following:
Oil
coolant
water
spare tyre
air compressor
high vis
first aid kit
spare bulbs for all
torch
safety triangle
bobski1 said:
In terms of car prep, what do people adivse to take?
I will be changing the wipers the day I go & will have the following:
Oil
coolant
water
spare tyre
air compressor
high vis
first aid kit
spare bulbs for all
torch
safety triangle
Canned foodsI will be changing the wipers the day I go & will have the following:
Oil
coolant
water
spare tyre
air compressor
high vis
first aid kit
spare bulbs for all
torch
safety triangle
Rifle
Sled & Huskies
Guide who speaks the local language
;-)
myvision said:
Has anyone done this and wild camped?
I'm planning on going in August on my motorbike I'm presuming there are plenty of campsites along the way anyway for when I'll need a shower ETC.
Wild camping is fine and legal in the Highlands, except for some areas around Loch Lomond. There are campsites dotted about. There are two near me, Shieldaig and Torridon. Both free. No showers at Shieldaig.I'm planning on going in August on my motorbike I'm presuming there are plenty of campsites along the way anyway for when I'll need a shower ETC.
..and yes... midges will be a problem camping in August. Do it in May.
ReaderScars said:
If it's possible to eliminate mosquitoes maybe the same should be done for the midges.
Or do like having a few around to keep the unwanted south of the border? Talk about feeding the hand that bites
There is one repellent that works (Smidge). But the buggers get everywhere (in your hair etc). So far there is no 100% way of stopping them. They are only around for 3 months, and of those three months much of the time it'll be the wrong sort of weather, so they hide.Or do like having a few around to keep the unwanted south of the border? Talk about feeding the hand that bites
Half the population here were born south of the border and have moved up (like me). So the midges are bad, but not that bad - unlike some of the tourists
GetCarter said:
Wild camping is fine and legal in the Highlands, except for some areas around Loch Lomond. There are campsites dotted about. There are two near me, Shieldaig and Torridon. Both free. No showers at Shieldaig.
..and yes... midges will be a problem camping in August. Do it in May.
I've had experience of the midges before I have to do it in august as it's the only time I can get off work...and yes... midges will be a problem camping in August. Do it in May.
I was planning on going anti clockwise I might go clockwise and get the midges done first!
Mad Jock said:
myvision said:
Has anyone done this and wild camped?
I'm planning on going in August on my motorbike I'm presuming there are plenty of campsites along the way anyway for when I'll need a shower ETC.
Wuss! Camp near a river and dive in.I'm planning on going in August on my motorbike I'm presuming there are plenty of campsites along the way anyway for when I'll need a shower ETC.
Oh, minor note, that is a good walk from the nearest road, so that is probably why we had it to ourselves!
Midges:
Smidge repellent: don't get it near anything sensitive as it'll burn then numb. Following on from that: Make sure you wash/clean the palms of your hands after applying it and before you need to urinate (guy advice here really). Been there, done that, not keen to repeat.
Or Avon Skin-So-Soft, nobody has any real idea why it works but it does. Try and get either before you go otherwise there's a chance you'll be buying it at the Green Welly (the Harrods of the North) just up the road from Crianlarich at a minimum 100% mark up. Which is pretty much their standard pricing policy for everything.
They dislike direct Sun and anything above a stiff breeze will disperse them. So stay away from sheltered spots beside rivers. Oh and for those nicotine addicts among you they also dislike cigarette smoke (they worry about the 2nd hand smoke as it might give them cancer). True story.
Smidge repellent: don't get it near anything sensitive as it'll burn then numb. Following on from that: Make sure you wash/clean the palms of your hands after applying it and before you need to urinate (guy advice here really). Been there, done that, not keen to repeat.
Or Avon Skin-So-Soft, nobody has any real idea why it works but it does. Try and get either before you go otherwise there's a chance you'll be buying it at the Green Welly (the Harrods of the North) just up the road from Crianlarich at a minimum 100% mark up. Which is pretty much their standard pricing policy for everything.
They dislike direct Sun and anything above a stiff breeze will disperse them. So stay away from sheltered spots beside rivers. Oh and for those nicotine addicts among you they also dislike cigarette smoke (they worry about the 2nd hand smoke as it might give them cancer). True story.
Edited by naetype on Saturday 29th April 08:49
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