Discussion
andym1603 said:
Funny you should mention the Dutch. A colleague at work whose husband is in the traffic police says that the majority of the accidents on the A9 and in the Highlands involve Dutch drivers.
Beware those vehicles with the yellow plates front and back.
Having recently spent a fair bit of time driving around the Netherlands I think I now understand why they're so universally crap at driving. The speed limits are ridiculously slow, even on wide open perfectly sighted rural motorways everyone was trundling along like they were in a funeral procession.Beware those vehicles with the yellow plates front and back.
Reaching the dizzy heights of 40 mph coming down the side of Beinn Eighe must be terrifying if that's what you're used to!
The Belgians aren't much better but at least tend to go a bit faster...
andym1603 said:
Funny you should mention the Dutch. A colleague at work whose husband is in the traffic police says that the majority of the accidents on the A9 and in the Highlands involve Dutch drivers.
Beware those vehicles with the yellow plates front and back.
I shan't post the picture of a Dutch Disco embedded in someone's Cooper S but this is the ONLY accident ever in many decades of pacy group car trips. He was on the wrong side of the road on the Old Military Road. The accident blocked the road, wrote off the Mini and required police. Dutch guy had done an u'ie and forgot to drive on the Left. Beware those vehicles with the yellow plates front and back.
Be careful out there...No doubt this has been covered many times before but it’s a long thread… I’m looking for recommendations for dog friendly (allowed in bars/restaurant not just room) hotel recommendations. 5 nights in March in 5 different hotels, and staying West most likely is our current plan.
…I am being reminded that 4/5* is important and not to just ask for places with good parking. Ideas?
…I am being reminded that 4/5* is important and not to just ask for places with good parking. Ideas?
https://www.newtonlodge.co.uk
They have a room on the ground floor with a door that leads straight outside. Room number 2 IIRC. Dogs welcome in rooms and bar (last time we stayed... worth checking)
As have: https://www.inverlodge.com - the room with the door is room 11. Dogs in room only, as it's fine dining.
Both have really good off road parking.
They have a room on the ground floor with a door that leads straight outside. Room number 2 IIRC. Dogs welcome in rooms and bar (last time we stayed... worth checking)
As have: https://www.inverlodge.com - the room with the door is room 11. Dogs in room only, as it's fine dining.
Both have really good off road parking.
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 14th November 05:36
Beautiful scenery, and I’m sure that road isn’t half bad either!
I made the mistake of expecting it to be quiet and popping out today for a drive near home (west over to mid Wales and back) but my god I was wrong! Busy, and slow drivers too! Could only dream of a drive as traffic free as yours….
I made the mistake of expecting it to be quiet and popping out today for a drive near home (west over to mid Wales and back) but my god I was wrong! Busy, and slow drivers too! Could only dream of a drive as traffic free as yours….
Ffordd Ar Gau said:
Beautiful scenery, and I’m sure that road isn’t half bad either!
- https://maps.app.goo.gl/aLoKDVb6nvSU6SG1AFfordd Ar Gau said:
I made the mistake of expecting it to be quiet and popping out today for a drive near home (west over to mid Wales and back) but my god I was wrong! Busy, and slow drivers too! Could only dream of a drive as traffic free as yours….
The drawback with Wales is it's much closer to major population centres in England. Easier access: more traffic.It's why I'll always prefer the Highlands, despite the extra time and cost of getting there from south of the Thames.
Red Devil said:
The drawback with Wales is it's much closer to major population centres in England.
Shouldn’t say this being a ‘Sais’ originally… (now an adopted Welshman I hope!) 
but the one annoyance is the Sais (English) tourist, particularly caravaners, and those who cannot drive on narrow lanes and the mountain roads, or dawdle presumably looking at the views, nice as they are. But we do need the tourists here financially!! Thanks, for confirming that. I’d have expected the OP to have experienced more traffic on the Bealach na Ba given how well known it’s become with the NC500 popularity.
I am looking forward to doing the Highlands and Islands and hoping to avoid many of the most popular NC500 routes for that reason. I love Wales but honestly, there are far more ‘special’ roads in the Highlands as far as I can tell having yet to visit!
Ffordd Ar Gau said:
I’d have expected the OP to have experienced more traffic on the Bealach na Ba given how well known it’s become with the NC500 popularity.
Mid Nov to end Feb we get sod all visitors in the NW Highlands. I can see part of the NC500 on the far side of the loch from my house and we're talking 2 or 3 cars an hour between 9 a.m and 4 pm. In August it'll be 60+ (and it'll be raining).GetCarter said:
Ffordd Ar Gau said:
I’d have expected the OP to have experienced more traffic on the Bealach na Ba given how well known it’s become with the NC500 popularity.
Mid Nov to end Feb we get sod all visitors in the NW Highlands. I can see part of the NC500 on the far side of the loch from my house and we're talking 2 or 3 cars an hour between 9 a.m and 4 pm. In August it'll be 60+ (and it'll be raining).
What was not helped was grip levels due to summer tyres on their wear markers...
I'd love to come up again at that time of year, although I now have a RWD car and am not that confident in my skillset so am hesitant... lol
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