RE: North Coast 500 in 24 hours
Discussion
I'm just back yeaterday from doing a large chunk of this route, mostly the wonderful A836/837 loop Inverness to Ullapool with the odd extension up to north of Ullapool. I took the weekend from my home near Aberdeen in my NSX. I was amazed how little traffic there was on truly magnificent roads both scenically and for driving - beware the single track roads though. While scenic, driving can be tiring because of the constant need to be aware of what may be coming round the next blind bend or over the brow of the hill. And it just takes one campervan who won't pull over to spoil the entire piece. One really nasty problem - police mobile camera vans have suddenly appeared. I came across two and probably have tickets from both. If the Highland Tourist authorities want to promote driving on these magnificent roads they need to be more sympathetic, within reason, to people like us who love to drive them sensibly, if maybe not at 60mph. During the 30 miles from Ullapool to Garve along perfect roads with perfect weather I overtook no-one and was overtaken twice - once by an Izuzu pickup truck doing probably 90mph and 2 bikes doing at least the ton. In the middle of nowhere round a fast corner there was a dreaded camera van with me doing about 75 mph. You've been warned!
Soupie69uk said:
JB! said:
Soupie69uk said:
I am sure there is a place in Glasgow that has an Elise.
There are Caterhams available in Inverness also.
Yeah cost wise those are expensive...There are Caterhams available in Inverness also.
Used to love driving up the West Coast to Ullapool and beyond in various Alfas in the 80's. Those roads were designed for Sud's.
Went back a couple of years ago and drove over the Beallach to Applecross in, of all things, a diesel hire Astra. The Astra was suprisingly capable (good damping, long suspension travel and decent brakes are far more important than outright power) but I was shocked at how busy it was. Apparently a lot of tourists go over there these days to see the beach where Monty Hall stayed in his TV series.
Probably best head north of Ullapool these days.
Went back a couple of years ago and drove over the Beallach to Applecross in, of all things, a diesel hire Astra. The Astra was suprisingly capable (good damping, long suspension travel and decent brakes are far more important than outright power) but I was shocked at how busy it was. Apparently a lot of tourists go over there these days to see the beach where Monty Hall stayed in his TV series.
Probably best head north of Ullapool these days.
Covered the west coast section of this route last year - including Pass of the Cattle to Applecross (a favourite haunt of the m/cyclists - we met about 40 to 50 travelling the other way when on the pass). Great driving country but better to take your time to enjoy the scenery and the local produce as well as the roads. We went in late April/early May to dodge the midges.
I'm heading up to drive this next monday. I have to stay at Inverness though so planning to do the route in two stages, with a quick drive back to Inverness inbetween.
Just trying to work out to take either a '99 Jag XJR, a '07 Volvo D5 S80 or borrow a friends Saab 93 V6 Convertible...
Just trying to work out to take either a '99 Jag XJR, a '07 Volvo D5 S80 or borrow a friends Saab 93 V6 Convertible...
mariscalcus said:
I'm just back yeaterday from doing a large chunk of this route, mostly the wonderful A836/837 loop Inverness to Ullapool with the odd extension up to north of Ullapool. I took the weekend from my home near Aberdeen in my NSX. I was amazed how little traffic there was on truly magnificent roads both scenically and for driving - beware the single track roads though. While scenic, driving can be tiring because of the constant need to be aware of what may be coming round the next blind bend or over the brow of the hill. And it just takes one campervan who won't pull over to spoil the entire piece. One really nasty problem - police mobile camera vans have suddenly appeared. I came across two and probably have tickets from both. If the Highland Tourist authorities want to promote driving on these magnificent roads they need to be more sympathetic, within reason, to people like us who love to drive them sensibly, if maybe not at 60mph. During the 30 miles from Ullapool to Garve along perfect roads with perfect weather I overtook no-one and was overtaken twice - once by an Izuzu pickup truck doing probably 90mph and 2 bikes doing at least the ton. In the middle of nowhere round a fast corner there was a dreaded camera van with me doing about 75 mph. You've been warned!
That totally puts me off as well, things aren't great for motorists south of the border, but they sound far worse in Scotland. See also: automatic dangerous driving charge for >100mph.Gandahar said:
Thanks Dan, excellent read.
Love it up there. First went up there in the 80's in the back of a Ford Transit mini bus when at college doing geology degree. Took us 13 hours to get to Bettyhill from London. For a young man it was another world and I loved it. Dolphins in the sea, dead seal on the beach, my lecturer getting beaten up by 3 Glaswegian fishermen. They also beat up a young lady also, too much scotch I guess. But it shows how wild it was.
Been up there a couple of times since. You seem to drive all day and don't actually go that far as the crow flies, but it's just so fecking epic. Everything is epic. The view, the roads, the wildlife and and the people. And when you sit on the beach up there and look north you really look north, next land is past the North pole and is Russia on the other side of the planet.
That's quite cool.
Best car to do it in? Only one choice
It's a great route. One of our best third world road trips in the last 15 years. As with all our annual road trips they are planned in advance only with the use of a 1986 AA European road atlas and no other research. As a result it was interesting to learn that on the whole route there is almost no edible food or petrol to be bought Love it up there. First went up there in the 80's in the back of a Ford Transit mini bus when at college doing geology degree. Took us 13 hours to get to Bettyhill from London. For a young man it was another world and I loved it. Dolphins in the sea, dead seal on the beach, my lecturer getting beaten up by 3 Glaswegian fishermen. They also beat up a young lady also, too much scotch I guess. But it shows how wild it was.
Been up there a couple of times since. You seem to drive all day and don't actually go that far as the crow flies, but it's just so fecking epic. Everything is epic. The view, the roads, the wildlife and and the people. And when you sit on the beach up there and look north you really look north, next land is past the North pole and is Russia on the other side of the planet.
That's quite cool.
Best car to do it in? Only one choice
Edited by Gandahar on Sunday 9th August 17:33
As for the choice of vehicle, the Tiv is a great call but I would counter that an old Rangie Classic bought for £1500 makes better use of the RV8
aww999 said:
mariscalcus said:
I'm just back yeaterday from doing a large chunk of this route, mostly the wonderful A836/837 loop Inverness to Ullapool with the odd extension up to north of Ullapool. I took the weekend from my home near Aberdeen in my NSX. I was amazed how little traffic there was on truly magnificent roads both scenically and for driving - beware the single track roads though. While scenic, driving can be tiring because of the constant need to be aware of what may be coming round the next blind bend or over the brow of the hill. And it just takes one campervan who won't pull over to spoil the entire piece. One really nasty problem - police mobile camera vans have suddenly appeared. I came across two and probably have tickets from both. If the Highland Tourist authorities want to promote driving on these magnificent roads they need to be more sympathetic, within reason, to people like us who love to drive them sensibly, if maybe not at 60mph. During the 30 miles from Ullapool to Garve along perfect roads with perfect weather I overtook no-one and was overtaken twice - once by an Izuzu pickup truck doing probably 90mph and 2 bikes doing at least the ton. In the middle of nowhere round a fast corner there was a dreaded camera van with me doing about 75 mph. You've been warned!
That totally puts me off as well, things aren't great for motorists south of the border, but they sound far worse in Scotland. See also: automatic dangerous driving charge for >100mph.Eta....its not an automatic dangerous driving for 100 plus. I got caught at 113 near Stirling and wasn't charged with dangerous driving.....Didn't lose my licence either....5 points and 1400 fine
Edited by Captainawesome on Wednesday 12th August 09:49
I did this a couple of years ago in my 997. Driving in that part of the country is fantastic but there are a couple of things missed out on that route. One is Applecross which has already been mentioned - take the mountain road to get there but leave by the northern coast loop. If you can, stay overnight in the Applecross Inn, leave early in the morning and have breakfast en route at Kinlochewe. The other is further north - when you get to Tongue on the north coast turn South on the A836 through Altnaharra and on towards Inverness. Its single track with passing places but you can see for miles, no trees and wonderful sweeping corners. There is no other word to describe it than just stunning and it misses out John o'Groats (very missable!) long sections of the A9 where the camera's are.
If you have more time why not take the A82 out of Glasgow & sample a little more of the west (the starter before the main course). I've seen these roads on both motorcycle & car - they're simply stunning and if they don't capture your heart, then you haven't got one!
Finally do them twice - once for the drive & once for the scenery.
Take care.
Finally do them twice - once for the drive & once for the scenery.
Take care.
RedThree said:
Did a large chunk of this last year in the Three Wheeler; same route up to Ullapool and on to Durness then followed the coast roads all the way back south.
More photos on Flickr
You Rule. More photos on Flickr
Did an extended version of this a few years back in the MGB over the course of a week. A really good road trip. It's a different world up there...
With a bit of forward planning it's possible to spend a few days enjoying this beautiful part of the world for not a lot of cash. About 3-4 times a year I fly with Eazy Jet from Gatwick to Inverness and hire a car. It often costs less than £50 for a return flight and car hire through Eazjet or others like Rentalcars.com come in at under £20 a day for the smallest. I take out an annual hire-car insurance for £20 which is better than any hire car rates, even for a one-off trip.
The cars vary and a Fiat 500 or such like is good enough, unless stuck behind a lorry up a twisting hill. Last trip I got a Corsa SRi turbo which was ideal. The purpose is not to treat the drive like the Nuremburg Ring but to take in the scenery and to be aware that round the next bend may be a flock of sheep. The main A9 is an excellent road and you are unlikely to see any traffic lights or have to pay for parking. There is a massive sign between Brora and Helmsdale in different languages urging slower drivers to let quicker motors overtake ! Part of the fun is examining a good map and picking out little used roads where you are unlikely to see another car for hours (just make sure you have enough ground clearance as the grass pushes through the centre of the tarmac track).
What a contrast to driving here within the M25 ! I look forward to my next trip up in October when most of the holiday traffic has disappeared and I can actually enjoy driving for a change.
The cars vary and a Fiat 500 or such like is good enough, unless stuck behind a lorry up a twisting hill. Last trip I got a Corsa SRi turbo which was ideal. The purpose is not to treat the drive like the Nuremburg Ring but to take in the scenery and to be aware that round the next bend may be a flock of sheep. The main A9 is an excellent road and you are unlikely to see any traffic lights or have to pay for parking. There is a massive sign between Brora and Helmsdale in different languages urging slower drivers to let quicker motors overtake ! Part of the fun is examining a good map and picking out little used roads where you are unlikely to see another car for hours (just make sure you have enough ground clearance as the grass pushes through the centre of the tarmac track).
What a contrast to driving here within the M25 ! I look forward to my next trip up in October when most of the holiday traffic has disappeared and I can actually enjoy driving for a change.
Och aye the noo lads. Having lived in Dunrobin Castle for a few years and travelled to climb all the hills, I still frequent the area to climb. Yes, the roads are brilliant but I also know the secrets. Also as a biker, we already know them. I drive a TVR Griffith as well and it has been round the route several times. Unfortunately it has now been publicized as a driving route for all, so better get up here now or bear the traffic jam.
No petrol stations, no high octane, no puncture repair, closed Sunday, no accommodation when busy, super midges, camper vans, etc. There are tons of brilliant roads but we're not going to tell you about them.
John A Malcolm, always TVR
No petrol stations, no high octane, no puncture repair, closed Sunday, no accommodation when busy, super midges, camper vans, etc. There are tons of brilliant roads but we're not going to tell you about them.
John A Malcolm, always TVR
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