NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
Passing places are for passing (either way), the outside two lanes are for overtaking, unsuitable for HGV speaks for itself. There are some muppets or even a
holes out there, maybe I'll be labelled that after buying a modest ancient motorhome this week and aiming to head north soon.
Sadly this won't be leading or on a trailer, but some of these might be inside
holes out there, maybe I'll be labelled that after buying a modest ancient motorhome this week and aiming to head north soon. Sadly this won't be leading or on a trailer, but some of these might be inside
)Many years ago I told my wife that one day I’d drive the whole North Coast in an RS6 - which was a total pipe dream at the time.
Wind forward 14 years and not only had we had 3 kids - but I’d got myself an RS6 so the trip was planned and the whole family was looking forward to it - me especially as I now had 560bhp, AWD, some amazing roads and 5 days to enjoy them.
Unfortunately on the way to our first night at The Torridon I get a tyre pressure indicator warning which is the result of a cracked wheel rim.
Long story short our 3 kids, my wife and I did the NC500last week not in my RS6 - but in this
I cannot convey just what a come-down this was.
Food, scenery and company was all excellent - I’ll just have to go back and do it again in something that will achieve more than 45mph uphill..
Wind forward 14 years and not only had we had 3 kids - but I’d got myself an RS6 so the trip was planned and the whole family was looking forward to it - me especially as I now had 560bhp, AWD, some amazing roads and 5 days to enjoy them.
Unfortunately on the way to our first night at The Torridon I get a tyre pressure indicator warning which is the result of a cracked wheel rim.
Long story short our 3 kids, my wife and I did the NC500last week not in my RS6 - but in this
I cannot convey just what a come-down this was.
Food, scenery and company was all excellent - I’ll just have to go back and do it again in something that will achieve more than 45mph uphill..
Dacia Logan MCV with 74bhp.
In fairness, somehow, I didn’t get overtaken once but that’s because there was nothing on the roads for me to hold up
Everything else about the trip was superb and after 5 days I’d built a bond with the little Dacia which enabled us to have our holiday.
I’m definitely doing it again in my car though - I’m trying to work out if Friday Lunchtime to Sunday night is time enough to do the whole route plus the drive up and back from Northampton
In fairness, somehow, I didn’t get overtaken once but that’s because there was nothing on the roads for me to hold up
Everything else about the trip was superb and after 5 days I’d built a bond with the little Dacia which enabled us to have our holiday.
I’m definitely doing it again in my car though - I’m trying to work out if Friday Lunchtime to Sunday night is time enough to do the whole route plus the drive up and back from Northampton
Mr Gearchange said:
I’m definitely doing it again in my car though - I’m trying to work out if Friday Lunchtime to Sunday night is time enough to do the whole route plus the drive up and back from Northampton
I mean, you could do it, but for me, it wouldn't be very enjoyable - you'd be be constantly on the clock, with barely any time to linger anywhere. Chuck at least another day in.Currently doing some route planning for a possible trip in March next year, lockdown permitting and seeing a lot of comments stating that the west is much better than the east. Still going through a lot of comments but wondering if anyone has any saved routes to include the "better" roads and photo spots, and even to include part of the PEN 287?
Cheers
Cheers
Hi, a question for GetCarter and others with more knowledge than I....
I've plenty of experience early and late season - previous trips have been September, October & April - but next year some friends want to go and we're looking at a date in late May.
I wonder if that is too late for clear roads with regards camper vans etc?
I've plenty of experience early and late season - previous trips have been September, October & April - but next year some friends want to go and we're looking at a date in late May.
I wonder if that is too late for clear roads with regards camper vans etc?
Mr Gearchange said:
Many years ago I told my wife that one day I’d drive the whole North Coast in an RS6 - which was a total pipe dream at the time.
Wind forward 14 years and not only had we had 3 kids - but I’d got myself an RS6 so the trip was planned and the whole family was looking forward to it - me especially as I now had 560bhp, AWD, some amazing roads and 5 days to enjoy them.
Unfortunately on the way to our first night at The Torridon I get a tyre pressure indicator warning which is the result of a cracked wheel rim.
Long story short our 3 kids, my wife and I did the NC500last week not in my RS6 - but in this
I cannot convey just what a come-down this was.
Food, scenery and company was all excellent - I’ll just have to go back and do it again in something that will achieve more than 45mph uphill..
You probably got more waves from the locals 😀Wind forward 14 years and not only had we had 3 kids - but I’d got myself an RS6 so the trip was planned and the whole family was looking forward to it - me especially as I now had 560bhp, AWD, some amazing roads and 5 days to enjoy them.
Unfortunately on the way to our first night at The Torridon I get a tyre pressure indicator warning which is the result of a cracked wheel rim.
Long story short our 3 kids, my wife and I did the NC500last week not in my RS6 - but in this
I cannot convey just what a come-down this was.
Food, scenery and company was all excellent - I’ll just have to go back and do it again in something that will achieve more than 45mph uphill..
We have just planned 10 days at the beginning of April, it was the wife's idea.
We were supposed to be doing Peru in April this year, obviously that was binned off, I re-booked work holiday for the same dates in 2021 with a view for Peru mkII, we've realised that probably still won't work so looking at that for 2022, the wife pipes up a couple of weeks ago "how about the NC500?".
She's worked out a route, we booked B&B's today, we've a friend in Tongue (in the middle of nowhere) with a B&B who's said we can stay there for a couple of days foc.
Would love to take the dogs however my eldest Terrier, Barry, isn't great in the car so whilst up there he'd be OK, the Surrey to Inverness drive is just a no, no for him which is a shame as he'd love the walks and beaches when there.
So we are flying to Inverness, hiring a car (sorry, nothing fancy, just a Clio or similar), doing the NC500 over the 10 days, driving to Glasgow to spend a few days with friends (they are thinking about doing the NC500 with us), then flying home from Glasgow.
We were supposed to be doing Peru in April this year, obviously that was binned off, I re-booked work holiday for the same dates in 2021 with a view for Peru mkII, we've realised that probably still won't work so looking at that for 2022, the wife pipes up a couple of weeks ago "how about the NC500?".
She's worked out a route, we booked B&B's today, we've a friend in Tongue (in the middle of nowhere) with a B&B who's said we can stay there for a couple of days foc.
Would love to take the dogs however my eldest Terrier, Barry, isn't great in the car so whilst up there he'd be OK, the Surrey to Inverness drive is just a no, no for him which is a shame as he'd love the walks and beaches when there.
So we are flying to Inverness, hiring a car (sorry, nothing fancy, just a Clio or similar), doing the NC500 over the 10 days, driving to Glasgow to spend a few days with friends (they are thinking about doing the NC500 with us), then flying home from Glasgow.
HTP99 said:
We have just planned 10 days at the beginning of April, it was the wife's idea.
We were supposed to be doing Peru in April this year, obviously that was binned off, I re-booked work holiday for the same dates in 2021 with a view for Peru mkII, we've realised that probably still won't work so looking at that for 2022, the wife pipes up a couple of weeks ago "how about the NC500?".
She's worked out a route, we booked B&B's today, we've a friend in Tongue (in the middle of nowhere) with a B&B who's said we can stay there for a couple of days foc.
Would love to take the dogs however my eldest Terrier, Barry, isn't great in the car so whilst up there he'd be OK, the Surrey to Inverness drive is just a no, no for him which is a shame as he'd love the walks and beaches when there.
So we are flying to Inverness, hiring a car (sorry, nothing fancy, just a Clio or similar), doing the NC500 over the 10 days, driving to Glasgow to spend a few days with friends (they are thinking about doing the NC500 with us), then flying home from Glasgow.
I know I've said this a thousand times, but don't do the NC500. There are many better roads. DM me for details.We were supposed to be doing Peru in April this year, obviously that was binned off, I re-booked work holiday for the same dates in 2021 with a view for Peru mkII, we've realised that probably still won't work so looking at that for 2022, the wife pipes up a couple of weeks ago "how about the NC500?".
She's worked out a route, we booked B&B's today, we've a friend in Tongue (in the middle of nowhere) with a B&B who's said we can stay there for a couple of days foc.
Would love to take the dogs however my eldest Terrier, Barry, isn't great in the car so whilst up there he'd be OK, the Surrey to Inverness drive is just a no, no for him which is a shame as he'd love the walks and beaches when there.
So we are flying to Inverness, hiring a car (sorry, nothing fancy, just a Clio or similar), doing the NC500 over the 10 days, driving to Glasgow to spend a few days with friends (they are thinking about doing the NC500 with us), then flying home from Glasgow.
LimJim said:
Thinking of a Xmas trip If possible.
Does anyone have any insider info or forecasts on nc500 rules over Xmas for someone who lives in a Scotland tier two area.
I say nc500, I really mean a holiday cottage in Wester Ross somewhere.
Are restaurants and hotels likely to be open?
Along North Coast I doubt there will be any hotels / restuarants open - there usually isn't and with things being as they are this year the chances are slim to zero of anyone opening up. Does anyone have any insider info or forecasts on nc500 rules over Xmas for someone who lives in a Scotland tier two area.
I say nc500, I really mean a holiday cottage in Wester Ross somewhere.
Are restaurants and hotels likely to be open?
If your coming from an area with a higher COVID Tier than the Highlands (currently Tier 1) then you shouldn't be travelling into the area. I'm assuming this guidance (think it may be law now - but very loosely enforced) will continue into the Christmas period and beyond.
GetCarter said:
This, I'm afraid.
Cheers. Just confirming what I thought already. I think the date is set now so we'll just have to deal with it.Most of the route isn't NC500 to be fair but the single-track in the NW could be an issue. I don't want to miss it out though, it's so spectacular it's worth the risk.
Found this for the planning geeks: https://www.visitscotland.org/binaries/content/ass...
Goes into detail how busy different Scottish holiday sectors are month-by-month.
This page is interesting! As I always thought, late April early May is by far the best time to be driving in Scotland
Goes into detail how busy different Scottish holiday sectors are month-by-month.
This page is interesting! As I always thought, late April early May is by far the best time to be driving in Scotland
Edited by giveitfish on Sunday 22 November 21:06
A lot of the car clubs in this part of the world go for a long weekend on the October clock change weekend.
Highland hotels are quiet and are happy to get the business just before they close for the winter.
Extra hour for driving or sleeping.
Also there are no bloody tourists in motorhomes who are totally unaware of what the hell is going on behind them and have no idea of the etiquette for single track roads.
So that would be my suggestion
Highland hotels are quiet and are happy to get the business just before they close for the winter.
Extra hour for driving or sleeping.
Also there are no bloody tourists in motorhomes who are totally unaware of what the hell is going on behind them and have no idea of the etiquette for single track roads.
So that would be my suggestion
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