NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
I stayed on the north coast at the weekend. If you're looking for a comfy place to stay with off road parking, wifi etc, I highly recommend this:
https://www.welcomecottages.com/cottages/ethels-ho...
(Note: 2 nights the same price as 1 at the moment).
https://www.welcomecottages.com/cottages/ethels-ho...
(Note: 2 nights the same price as 1 at the moment).
we found the below in Thurso, accommodation is quite basic (but then it's quite cheap) the restaurant was surprisingly good
https://www.theinnynot.co.uk/en-GB
https://www.theinnynot.co.uk/en-GB
towser said:
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.
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.
Turns out this info wasn't to be strictly accurate. I guess 'welcome' would be pushing it, but Tier 2 can book holidays in tier 1 under current rules. And applecross Inn is open, just as a sample. Though of course many places are shut.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:
I stayed on the north coast at the weekend. If you're looking for a comfy place to stay with off road parking, wifi etc, I highly recommend this:
https://www.welcomecottages.com/cottages/ethels-ho...
(Note: 2 nights the same price as 1 at the moment).
We stayed there for a week, early part of last year. Lovely little place, we’d happily go back. https://www.welcomecottages.com/cottages/ethels-ho...
(Note: 2 nights the same price as 1 at the moment).
LimJim said:
towser said:
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.
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.
Turns out this info wasn't to be strictly accurate. I guess 'welcome' would be pushing it, but Tier 2 can book holidays in tier 1 under current rules. And applecross Inn is open, just as a sample. Though of course many places are shut.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.
If you live in a Level 0, 1, or 2 area in Scotland, or are considering travel to Scotland from anywhere else, you should:
you should minimise unnecessary journeys between areas in different levels
A wee jaunt along the NC500 doesn't sound like a necessary journey to me.
Ambiguous language? Quite the contrary.
That statement makes it clear that you can make unnecessary journeys, otherwise why request that people minimise the number of unnecessary journeys that they make?
And that's without even having the debate about what actually constitutes an unnecessary journey.
If you can't make an unnecessary journey, you just can't, period! There should be no minimising about it, as that in itself means that a number of unnecessary journeys are therefore allowed.
This sort of language permeates the guidelines.
That statement makes it clear that you can make unnecessary journeys, otherwise why request that people minimise the number of unnecessary journeys that they make?
And that's without even having the debate about what actually constitutes an unnecessary journey.
If you can't make an unnecessary journey, you just can't, period! There should be no minimising about it, as that in itself means that a number of unnecessary journeys are therefore allowed.
This sort of language permeates the guidelines.
21st Century Man said:
There should be no minimising about it, as that in itself means that a number of unnecessary journeys are therefore allowed.
Yeah I guess it's deliberate to appease hospitality a little. Don't shoot the messenger, but booking holidays under the guidelines is allowed as long as you minimise them. :-pI've only contacted a couple but both confirmed they are happy to take bookings from tier 2....
Which is totally fair enough. (The controversy I mean) there are not many icu beds in the highlands.
maybe the ambiguity is about allowing us to make the judgement on ‘necessity’ ourselves...but perhaps more cynically it’s about not being on the hook for ordering all these businesses to close.
Also I suspect the total numbers living in tier 2 who are going on Scottish holidays on December is relatively small.
Either way yes irresponsible to tear round the nc500 for sport right now. I agree.
maybe the ambiguity is about allowing us to make the judgement on ‘necessity’ ourselves...but perhaps more cynically it’s about not being on the hook for ordering all these businesses to close.
Also I suspect the total numbers living in tier 2 who are going on Scottish holidays on December is relatively small.
Either way yes irresponsible to tear round the nc500 for sport right now. I agree.
Edited by LimJim on Tuesday 1st December 21:31
lizardbrain said:
Could anyone give a traffic/weather update please?
The weather forecast in highlands is solid rain, but same is true for the forecast in Edinburgh, however in reality it's swapping between mild sunshine and hail! Which is much better in way.
Traffic, not too bad (very few European visitors).The weather forecast in highlands is solid rain, but same is true for the forecast in Edinburgh, however in reality it's swapping between mild sunshine and hail! Which is much better in way.
Weather.... bloody cold for May. Fri not looking too bad.
https://xcweather.co.uk/forecast/shieldaig
Yeh, that’s not too shabby. I reckon you live in one of, if not the most beautiful part of the UK.
I’ve been coming to the West Coast for 20 years, since a friend told me I must visit.
Last time I was there, I couldn’t believe the change in tourism, compared to my early days. Was planning on heading up this year, but with many people sticking to the UK this year, I don’t want to add to the numbers. I love the wilderness of the whole area, so following countless motor homes doesn’t appeal.
I think some off season visits are on the cards.
I’ve been coming to the West Coast for 20 years, since a friend told me I must visit.
Last time I was there, I couldn’t believe the change in tourism, compared to my early days. Was planning on heading up this year, but with many people sticking to the UK this year, I don’t want to add to the numbers. I love the wilderness of the whole area, so following countless motor homes doesn’t appeal.
I think some off season visits are on the cards.
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