NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
AshBurrows said:
Looks like you had perfect weather! One week to go for us exactly. So excited!
Anyone got any "must sees/dos" on the route?
Depends on your definition of "must see/do"....I posted this a couple of months ago :Anyone got any "must sees/dos" on the route?
Around Sutherland.
1) Geo Park in Assynt ( http://www.nwhgeopark.com/ ) if that's your thing.
2) Kind of associated with the above are the Bone Caves ( https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ullapool/bonecaves... )
3) Smoo Cave is worth a visit, can take a boat trip deeper in or just enter the main chamber and stare up the way!
4) Lotte Glob Ceramic Artist is worth looking into ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Glob ) between Durness and Tongue.
5) Nice walk up to Castle Bharraich in Tongue ( https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/caistea... ).
6) Coldbackie Beach just east of Tongue is often bypassed but beautiful quiet beach with great views out to Rabbit Islands and Eilean nan Ron ( which was evacuated in the 1930s ).
7) Strathnaver trail which is a self guided drive down one of the main straths on the north coast. Features mainly archaeological sites of interest and includes a couple of significant clearance villages ( http://www.altnaharra.com/activities/strathnaver-t... ).
8) Inland a bit - but I love the drive out from Syre to Kinbrace across open deserted moorland. Passing the ( allegedly ) most remote hotel in the UK ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/4448138/B... ) although not sure I'd recommend staying over!
9) Good beaches in Bettyhill ( Farr Bay ) and between Skerray and Bettyhill ( Torrisdale ) the latter is a bit of a walk across from either side - but worth it.
10) RSPB Centre at Forsinard ( https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a... ) in land a bit again but in the heart of the Flow Country which is seen as a significant natural wonder. If you like the feeling of being in the middle on nowhere - worth a visit.
11) Timespan Centre in Helmsdale ( http://timespan.org.uk/?gclid=CNDWmuy_o9ICFQoUGwod... )
12) Dunrobin Castle near Golspie
13) If you like golf there are certainly some fantastic courses in Dornoch, Brora and Golspie ( also Durness but never played ).
14) Dornoch Cathedral and Jail.
15) Carn Liath Broch between Brora and Golspie is relatively well preserved and often bypassed ( http://www.discoversutherland.co.uk/golspie_broch.... ).
16) Big Burn Walk in Golspie is a nice easy ramble through a leafy gorge ( https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/big-bur... ).
Skornogr4phy said:
We did it August last year and the roads were full of German and Dutch registered caravans. The MX5 didn't really have enough power to overtake in most sections either...
So, just again, I'd like to say - drive early if you want empty roads. At this time of year you can drive 100 miles and see half a dozen cars. Or you can set off at 10 a.m. and see 1000+ cars & motor-caravans.
justin220 said:
Nice.....though seeing roads out of sequence kinda' does my OCD head in
GetCarter said:
....though seeing roads out of sequence kinda' does my OCD head in
I hear you on that.I got my act together on our 2016 trip:
https://youtu.be/XoEl24dB2mo
less so on our 2015/14 trips
https://youtu.be/XsSwG1kaYI4
https://youtu.be/y0NsPbW4FmU
Heading up to Scotland again in July - could I ask:
1) How are fuel stops from North of Ullapool to John o' Groats - I've made sure we are not doing that on a Sunday, but have limited tank range on our cars?
2) How is the traffic in July if we say try to cover some miles in the early morning and early evening?
Planned route:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Vo0YDd2i...
- --
Rod
mardi said:
I hear you on that.
I got my act together on our 2016 trip:
https://youtu.be/XoEl24dB2mo
less so on our 2015/14 trips
https://youtu.be/XsSwG1kaYI4
https://youtu.be/y0NsPbW4FmU
Heading up to Scotland again in July - could I ask:
1) How are fuel stops from North of Ullapool to John o' Groats - I've made sure we are not doing that on a Sunday, but have limited tank range on our cars?
2) How is the traffic in July if we say try to cover some miles in the early morning and early evening?
Planned route:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Vo0YDd2i...
- --
Rod
There's fuel in Lochinver but that IS shut on a Sunday. Not sure past Durness, not been past there in a few years - I'll let others comment.I got my act together on our 2016 trip:
https://youtu.be/XoEl24dB2mo
less so on our 2015/14 trips
https://youtu.be/XsSwG1kaYI4
https://youtu.be/y0NsPbW4FmU
Heading up to Scotland again in July - could I ask:
1) How are fuel stops from North of Ullapool to John o' Groats - I've made sure we are not doing that on a Sunday, but have limited tank range on our cars?
2) How is the traffic in July if we say try to cover some miles in the early morning and early evening?
Planned route:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Vo0YDd2i...
- --
Rod
Driving early and late in July is fine. Just avoid 10 am to 4 pm. Especially round here (Torridon) on Single Tracks.
mardi said:
1) How are fuel stops from North of Ullapool to John o' Groats - I've made sure we are not doing that on a Sunday, but have limited tank range on our cars?
2) How is the traffic in July if we say try to cover some miles in the early morning and early evening?
1) I'm sure I've read that several of the small petrol stations have pay-at-pump, pumps open 24 hours. Scourie, Durness, Bettyhill etc. 2) How is the traffic in July if we say try to cover some miles in the early morning and early evening?
2) July is not a busy as August. First couple of weeks usually quieter than last two weeks in July as well. Yes, morning and evening times are best for travelling.
I drove the NC500 a couple of months ago with a couple of mates. This was our itinerary:
Friday night:
Aberdeen to Inverness via Lecht.
Inverness to Helmsdale. Turned off at Helmsdale and head North to the A836. This avoided the rest of the A9. Great wee road.
Arrive in Thurso, Stayed in the Weigh Inn and ate at the Captain's Galley in Scrabster (excellent meal).
Saturday.
Filled up with 98ron in Thurso then drove West through Tongue and stopped for coffee and chocolate at the Cocoa fountain in Durness.
We followed the route South and made a detour to Kinlochbervie and to a beach at Oldshoremore. Another great wee road off the published route.
Back on track for a lunch stop at the Kylesku Hotel - superb food.
We then headed south to Loch Assynt. We were given a recommendation to head to Loch Inver this way as the road between Loch Assynt and Loch Inver is amazing. We weren't disappointed. In Loch Inver we bought pies at the Lochinver Larder. Having had lunch, these were for later.
We then headed back the way we came and continued the NC500 route. We stopped in Ullapool for coffee and more 98ron. Our stop for the night was The Old Inn, Gairloch. Great food in the Old Inn. This brought an end to the most amazing day!!!!
Sunday.
We followed the route to Applecross where we stopped for coffee. We headed over the Bealach Na Ba and then up to Strathcarron and Achnasheen. Onwards to Inverness where we stopped beside the water to eat the pies we had bought the previous day.
Finally, back over the Lecht towards Aberdeen. A very memorable trip.
Friday night:
Aberdeen to Inverness via Lecht.
Inverness to Helmsdale. Turned off at Helmsdale and head North to the A836. This avoided the rest of the A9. Great wee road.
Arrive in Thurso, Stayed in the Weigh Inn and ate at the Captain's Galley in Scrabster (excellent meal).
Saturday.
Filled up with 98ron in Thurso then drove West through Tongue and stopped for coffee and chocolate at the Cocoa fountain in Durness.
We followed the route South and made a detour to Kinlochbervie and to a beach at Oldshoremore. Another great wee road off the published route.
Back on track for a lunch stop at the Kylesku Hotel - superb food.
We then headed south to Loch Assynt. We were given a recommendation to head to Loch Inver this way as the road between Loch Assynt and Loch Inver is amazing. We weren't disappointed. In Loch Inver we bought pies at the Lochinver Larder. Having had lunch, these were for later.
We then headed back the way we came and continued the NC500 route. We stopped in Ullapool for coffee and more 98ron. Our stop for the night was The Old Inn, Gairloch. Great food in the Old Inn. This brought an end to the most amazing day!!!!
Sunday.
We followed the route to Applecross where we stopped for coffee. We headed over the Bealach Na Ba and then up to Strathcarron and Achnasheen. Onwards to Inverness where we stopped beside the water to eat the pies we had bought the previous day.
Finally, back over the Lecht towards Aberdeen. A very memorable trip.
Edited by flyboyben on Thursday 29th June 08:01
flyboyben said:
I drove the NC500 a couple of months ago with a couple of mates. This was our itinerary:
Friday night:
Aberdeen to Inverness via Lecht.
Inverness to Helmsdale. Turned off at Helmsdale and head North to the A836. This avoided the rest of the A9. Great wee road.
Once you've reached Helmsdale you're probably better sticking with the A9 for driving pleasure to be honest, definitely if the roads are quieter. Once you reach Latheron stick to the A9 to Georgemas and you will tackle a completely different road with good sighting and a lot better opportunity for making progress.. Friday night:
Aberdeen to Inverness via Lecht.
Inverness to Helmsdale. Turned off at Helmsdale and head North to the A836. This avoided the rest of the A9. Great wee road.
Edited by flyboyben on Thursday 29th June 08:01
I've always said if I had a car for those 20 miles I'd know whether it was the car for me or not and it has worked so far!I think there are several routes earlier in the thread.
This is roughly what I did last year in my Elise - did it clockwise and cut off the North East section because I think it's dull compared to jinking down the road south from Tongue.
https://goo.gl/maps/9GhcDk3EfP62
3 day weekend plus travelling to Glasgow from Yorkshire after work on Thursday.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/giveitfish/albums/72...
Given I've been stalking you in the 4C thread, I think these roads would be fun
One change as your car is a lot faster than mine and prefers smooth tarmac you might enjoy turning right at Kinlochewe and going through Achnasheen and Garve then north to Ullapool - fast and epic but watch for speed camera vans.
This is roughly what I did last year in my Elise - did it clockwise and cut off the North East section because I think it's dull compared to jinking down the road south from Tongue.
https://goo.gl/maps/9GhcDk3EfP62
3 day weekend plus travelling to Glasgow from Yorkshire after work on Thursday.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/giveitfish/albums/72...
Given I've been stalking you in the 4C thread, I think these roads would be fun
One change as your car is a lot faster than mine and prefers smooth tarmac you might enjoy turning right at Kinlochewe and going through Achnasheen and Garve then north to Ullapool - fast and epic but watch for speed camera vans.Gassing Station | Scotland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff