NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
Over the years I've learned that flashing headlights generally just pisses people off.
I generally speed up when I see them in the distance, and when they see a car traveling much faster they tend to pull over.
If not, I have one of these in my car. Perfectly legal.
If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
I generally speed up when I see them in the distance, and when they see a car traveling much faster they tend to pull over.
If not, I have one of these in my car. Perfectly legal.
If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
GetCarter said:
Anonymous-poster said:
GetCarter said:
Just did 42 miles - didn't see a single car. I did get back by 06:30 mind 
ETA Fiat 500 Abarth v Deer yesterday - both written off. Careful out there folks.
Was it a very light grey/stone colour?ETA Fiat 500 Abarth v Deer yesterday - both written off. Careful out there folks.
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 15th May 10:20
GetCarter said:
Over the years I've learned that flashing headlights generally just pisses people off.
I generally speed up when I see them in the distance, and when they see a car traveling much faster they tend to pull over.
If not, I have one of these in my car. Perfectly legal.
If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
Thank you.I generally speed up when I see them in the distance, and when they see a car traveling much faster they tend to pull over.
If not, I have one of these in my car. Perfectly legal.
If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
N.
After a "close to the Covid deadline" dinner at the Smoo Cave Hotel, it was a late run in the truck back to Inverness via Ullapool for the night. Dropped the trailer so as I could get to their small car park.
By the way, the proprietor and staff there couldn't be more helpful
The deer are perfectly camouflaged at the side of the road unless you're lucky enough to see their pale rumps. And that's before it gets dark.
There's not just one or two but herds of them on the edge of the road.
I was on cruise so I could have my foot hovering over the brake pedal.
Several avoiding manoeuvres needed.
By the way, the proprietor and staff there couldn't be more helpful
The deer are perfectly camouflaged at the side of the road unless you're lucky enough to see their pale rumps. And that's before it gets dark.
There's not just one or two but herds of them on the edge of the road.
I was on cruise so I could have my foot hovering over the brake pedal.
Several avoiding manoeuvres needed.
Edited by bigwheel on Sunday 16th May 10:29
GetCarter said:
Over the years I've learned that flashing headlights generally just pisses people off.
I would agree - in general there is not much you can do at all that won't make things (often much) worse.One thing I do do is if I see much slower traffic in the distance is to stick dipped beam on (if not on already) - this means they may be more likely to notice then as you come up behind them, and by not putting on dipped beam when directly behind them does not appear that you are doing it deliberately/flashing them. Doesn't always work, but can help.
Or you could ride a motorbike - folk seem much keener to pull over for bikes for some reason. Wearing hi-viz helps here too. Downside is oncoming traffic sometimes where they think you can squeeze you onto a foot of road to pass, expect you to pull onto the verge, or ask you to select your reverse gear.
GetCarter said:
If not, I have one of these in my car. Perfectly legal.
If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
I'm surprised that works - are you not usually driving something a bit exotic which they would not associate with Poileas Alba and hence they wouldn't be fooled?If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
s2kjock said:
GetCarter said:
GetCarter said:
If not, I have one of these in my car. Perfectly legal.
If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
I'm surprised that works - are you not usually driving something a bit exotic which they would not associate with Poileas Alba and hence they wouldn't be fooled?If someone doesn't let me pass... a few seconds of this and without exception, people get flustered and let you through.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/STARPIA-Warning-Rotatin...
I agree about the lights BTW, they go on in April and stay on until October.
GetCarter said:
ETA Fiat 500 Abarth v Deer yesterday - both written off. Careful out there folks.
I did wonder about this last year when cycling north from Dornie - descending some of those roads at 40mph in the dark the first warning I would get would be when it entered the beam of my lights! Did get to stop and experience a couple of herds of deer just a few metres in front of me though, one on the road south of Shieldaig and one I think up near Kinlochewe, possibly even in the village itself.Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 15th May 10:20
GetCarter said:
Just a heads up... was at Kylesku Hotel earlier. Under new ownership... large glass of wine and G&T = £22.32 
Jeez....aren't the new owners linked to the NC500 company somehow....? I'm sure I read that somewhere and the fact that they were planning buying up some additional hotels round the route. towser said:
Jeez....aren't the new owners linked to the NC500 company somehow....? I'm sure I read that somewhere and the fact that they were planning buying up some additional hotels round the route.
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/new-company-...
GetCarter said:
towser said:
Jeez....aren't the new owners linked to the NC500 company somehow....? I'm sure I read that somewhere and the fact that they were planning buying up some additional hotels round the route.
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/new-company-...
GetCarter said:
Just a heads up... was at Kylesku Hotel earlier. Under new ownership... large glass of wine and G&T = £22.32
Appreciate that delivery charges will be dearer resulting in things being more expensive but that is wow. Just how big was the glass of wine or was it one of an exceptional vintage? 
StonedRollin said:
GetCarter said:
Just a heads up... was at Kylesku Hotel earlier. Under new ownership... large glass of wine and G&T = £22.32
Appreciate that delivery charges will be dearer resulting in things being more expensive but that is wow. Just how big was the glass of wine or was it one of an exceptional vintage? Having been to Kylesku for the past 10 years, and regularly paying London prices ...whilst in London - they just lost my trade.
Taking the piss isn't the way to go IMHO.
I wondered if they were taking advantage of regional hoteliers suffering so much from Covid (notwithstanding good business when they were allowed to open in Scotland) in making them an offer they couldn't refuse. Certainly it seems like very hard work with keeping your head above water/making a long term return for independent rural hotels, so offers must be enticing.
While there are economies of scale for small groups of hotels, that must diminish the further apart they are from each other, and the further you get from your core suppliers (ie Inverness). There is a small boutique group on Skye that seems to survive OK, but IIRC a newer group (Claunie and Loch Lochy) may have fallen by the wayside? Post brexit staffing is also surely causing problems.
I suspect once the "market" returns to "normal" when foreign travel recovers, competition from better value providers may punish the overpriced.
While there are economies of scale for small groups of hotels, that must diminish the further apart they are from each other, and the further you get from your core suppliers (ie Inverness). There is a small boutique group on Skye that seems to survive OK, but IIRC a newer group (Claunie and Loch Lochy) may have fallen by the wayside? Post brexit staffing is also surely causing problems.
I suspect once the "market" returns to "normal" when foreign travel recovers, competition from better value providers may punish the overpriced.
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