NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
GetCarter said:
EyeHeartSpellin said:
Hi all, driving the NC500 next week for first time. Most of the things me and my brother need (pub, Beach, nature, hostel) are open now but any tips in the new world? Thanks.
Not sure where you live, but bear in mind face masks are compulsory in shops here. I saw someone refused entry yesterday.Good indicator that lock down is easing at it seems that the NC500 (a.k.a race track) speeding quota is back on the increase....
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/police-charg...
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/police-charg...
towser said:
Good indicator that lock down is easing at it seems that the NC500 (a.k.a race track) speeding quota is back on the increase....
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/police-charg...
That will be the locals getting past the tourists https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/police-charg...
towser said:
Good indicator that lock down is easing at it seems that the NC500 (a.k.a race track) speeding quota is back on the increase....
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/police-charg...
The other problem is the young wildlife/farm animals who have grown up thinking roads were empty and a nice place to sleep or chill, and now have cars driving at them at warp factor. Already seen a dead sheep. Many more to follow, no doubt.https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/police-charg...
GetCarter said:
The other problem is the young wildlife/farm animals who have grown up thinking roads were empty and a nice place to sleep or chill, and now have cars driving at them at warp factor. Already seen a dead sheep. Many more to follow, no doubt.
Indeed - my brother has a croft on the north coast....lost plenty of animals on the road sadly.EyeHeartSpellin said:
Other than not speeding is there a way to reduce the chance of that? I really don't want to hit a sheep! And if you do, any way to know who it belongs to so you can tell them? That might be stupidest question ever but city dweller 
A few things. If you see a deer, it'll often run the wrong way (in front of you). It'll nearly always have a mate who'll follow.If you see a lamb on one side of the road and a sheep on the other... the lamb will often run across your path to get to mum.
Highland cows will just stand in the middle of the road and look at you. Drive very slowly and angle to one side, eventually they'll move.
They are gentle giants.
GetCarter said:
EyeHeartSpellin said:
Other than not speeding is there a way to reduce the chance of that? I really don't want to hit a sheep! And if you do, any way to know who it belongs to so you can tell them? That might be stupidest question ever but city dweller
A few things. If you see a deer, it'll often run the wrong way (in front of you). It'll nearly always have a mate who'll follow.If you see a lamb on one side of the road and a sheep on the other... the lamb will often run across your path to get to mum.
Highland cows will just stand in the middle of the road and look at you. Drive very slowly and angle to one side, eventually they'll move.
They are gentle giants.
As for sheep, they like to lie at the side of the road or on some cases on the road for a bit of heat (and residual salt from winter spreading). If you’re driving in an area where the road is relatively quiet and has grass around it there’s a chance that you’ll get sheep lazing on or around the road itself. A lot of land is common grazing so is often unfenced and as a result can be hard to determine who an animal belongs to. Each sheep killed on the road represents lost income to a farmer / crofter. A lot of drivers view them as collateral damage sadly.
Pitchforks getting sharpened.....seems to be a lot of irresponsible behaviour along the NC500 route getting locals pretty worked up. This year is noticeably worse than previous, even had folks camping out during lockdown.
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/invernes...
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/invernes...
I have also found sheep like a warm road when elsewhere is cold - so evenings and after a quick rain shower and the sun is back out they come onto the road for a warm up.
That said, the sightlines on most of the roads are brilliant, so if you travel at non crazy speeds you can see fine. (though you may well have to pull over to let a local or postie past).
That said, the sightlines on most of the roads are brilliant, so if you travel at non crazy speeds you can see fine. (though you may well have to pull over to let a local or postie past).
Peanut Gallery said:
I have also found sheep like a warm road when elsewhere is cold.
We walk our dog at about 5:30 a.m. at present and 'pre-rescue' half a dozen frogs and toads every morning.... sitting warming in the firing line of traffic. (I should point out that there are frogs here that are found nowhere else in the world).EyeHeartSpellin said:
Here is me thinking I'm going to drive one of the most scenic routes in Europe but it turns out will probably just be assisting a sheep and frog genocide while defacating in a field and delaying the post man.
....and at this time of year getting into midge season!It’ll be fun though.
EyeHeartSpellin said:
Other than not speeding is there a way to reduce the chance of that? I really don't want to hit a sheep! And if you do, any way to know who it belongs to so you can tell them? That might be stupidest question ever but city dweller
First time you cross a cattle grid you will know it is a bigger chance of being a sheep areaGassing Station | Scotland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff