NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
Met office reckons the Bealach is close to freezing next Friday with risk of snow showers and thunderstorms, whereas places like Shieldaig and Toscaig (wherever that is) are closer to 12C and intermittent sunshine at the same time How likely are those storms? Presume I wouldn't want to get caught in them?
ScotHill said:
Met office reckons the Bealach is close to freezing next Friday with risk of snow showers and thunderstorms, whereas places like Shieldaig and Toscaig (wherever that is) are closer to 12C and intermittent sunshine at the same time How likely are those storms? Presume I wouldn't want to get caught in them?
I'd say you definitely don't want to get caught in them. We had an "interesting" experience there last week. Everything was ok until about halfway when we got caught in low cloud and very high winds. You literally couldn't see more than a few yards in front. A lot of cars had stopped in the hope it might clear a bit. We considered turning around and going back down but decided to proceed when the cloud cleared a little. The journey down the other side was a bit fraught as a camper van acted as a rolling road block. In my opinion it shouldn't have been on that road in the first place, never mind in those conditions. ScotHill said:
Met office reckons the Bealach is close to freezing next Friday with risk of snow showers and thunderstorms, whereas places like Shieldaig and Toscaig (wherever that is) are closer to 12C and intermittent sunshine at the same time How likely are those storms? Presume I wouldn't want to get caught in them?
Toscaig is near Applecross 
It's VERY rare that any snow settles on the Bealach this early... plus, there's so much traffic at the moment, it won't freeze over.
Bikers seem especially numerous.GetCarter said:
Toscaig is near Applecross
It's VERY rare that any snow settles on the Bealach this early... plus, there's so much traffic at the moment, it won't freeze over.
Thanks for this, I'll be on two very narrow wheels so will double check the weather before heading up.It's VERY rare that any snow settles on the Bealach this early... plus, there's so much traffic at the moment, it won't freeze over.
Saw that you live near Torridon, last time I passed through the glen I thought the rocks looked like the headstones of unfortunate hillwalkers who'd got lost in the mist. This time I'll be doing it in the dark...
More local knowledge requested please.....
The weather forecast for Applecross tomorrow is poor; heavy rain and high winds.
I suspect the answer may be obvious but how bad is the visibility likely to be coming over the pass from Tornapress? I don’t fancy the potential of dealing with oncoming traffic if I can only see 10m up the road.
I guess I may get an indication as I approach the junction for the pass?
I can take the long way round if needed but just need to plan more time as I have lunch booked for 1pm in Applecross.
Many thanks
Rich
The weather forecast for Applecross tomorrow is poor; heavy rain and high winds.
I suspect the answer may be obvious but how bad is the visibility likely to be coming over the pass from Tornapress? I don’t fancy the potential of dealing with oncoming traffic if I can only see 10m up the road.
I guess I may get an indication as I approach the junction for the pass?
I can take the long way round if needed but just need to plan more time as I have lunch booked for 1pm in Applecross.
Many thanks
Rich
Rich.H said:
More local knowledge requested please.....
The weather forecast for Applecross tomorrow is poor; heavy rain and high winds.
I suspect the answer may be obvious but how bad is the visibility likely to be coming over the pass from Tornapress? I don’t fancy the potential of dealing with oncoming traffic if I can only see 10m up the road.
I guess I may get an indication as I approach the junction for the pass?
I can take the long way round if needed but just need to plan more time as I have lunch booked for 1pm in Applecross.
Many thanks
Rich
It'll be fine.. plenty of passing places. It's really busy mind. I just drove down Glen Torridon and counted 43 motorhomes. That's more vehicles that I usually see in the whole of January!The weather forecast for Applecross tomorrow is poor; heavy rain and high winds.
I suspect the answer may be obvious but how bad is the visibility likely to be coming over the pass from Tornapress? I don’t fancy the potential of dealing with oncoming traffic if I can only see 10m up the road.
I guess I may get an indication as I approach the junction for the pass?
I can take the long way round if needed but just need to plan more time as I have lunch booked for 1pm in Applecross.
Many thanks
Rich
We were up last week for a few days doing the West and middle. Skipped the very North East and east coast as I don't think they are all that.
20200917_142144 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
20200918_115713 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
DJI_0011-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
DJI_0074-HDR-Pano by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
DJI_0097-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
Weather was mega, First day from Ft William to the top of the Pass was a little grey and damp but once we got down into the village it stayed warm and sunny for the remainder. Superb!
20200917_142144 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr20200918_115713 by Jamie Atkinson, on FlickrDJI_0011-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on FlickrDJI_0074-HDR-Pano by Jamie Atkinson, on FlickrDJI_0097-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on FlickrWeather was mega, First day from Ft William to the top of the Pass was a little grey and damp but once we got down into the village it stayed warm and sunny for the remainder. Superb!
jet_noise said:
Fishlegs said:
Just had one of the best weekends ever up Gairloch way. A spot of camping, walking and driving. Weather closed in a bit last night, but still a fabulous time was had. 
Blowing and raining all day today. Stay in your car 
Thankfully, I'm home now.Fishlegs said:
jet_noise said:
Fishlegs said:
Just had one of the best weekends ever up Gairloch way. A spot of camping, walking and driving. Weather closed in a bit last night, but still a fabulous time was had.
Blowing and raining all day today. Stay in your car Thankfully, I'm home now.
If you're going fast enough...
Order66 said:
JamieRS250 said:
We were up last week for a few days doing the West and middle. Skipped the very North East and east coast as I don't think they are all that.
Great pics, good route choice to avoid the east......Gassing Station | Scotland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff