NC500 (north coast road)

[Drive Blind]

[GetCarter]

Drive Blind said:

;)

This where, in 1994, I ordered potatoes with cheese and veg, and got potatoes with cheese and chips.

I knew then I had to live here.

[GetCarter]

[f1_dragon]

Heading up to Fort William tomorrow, and then covering West and North West sections Thursday and Friday - can’t wait!
Fingers crossed for good weather and fairly open roads.
Thurs
Fort Willliam - Applecross - Gairloch - Arrina - Ullapool - Lochinver
Fri
Lochinver - Unapool - Tongue - Lairg - Glencoe

Any tips much appreciated!

[GetCarter]

f1_dragon said:

Heading up to Fort William tomorrow, and then covering West and North West sections Thursday and Friday - can’t wait!
Fingers crossed for good weather and fairly open roads.
Thurs
Fort Willliam - Applecross - Gairloch - Arrina - Ullapool - Lochinver
Fri
Lochinver - Unapool - Tongue - Lairg - Glencoe

Any tips much appreciated!

If you want a really pretty route, Ullapool to Lochinver go via Inverkirkaig - You'll use most of the other road the next morning on your way to Unapool

This is the road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRsfrcPAJdQ

If you're staying in Inverlodge in Lochinver.. ask for room 11 (it has access to the gardens).

It probably won't affect you but the road here (Applecross to Shieldaig) is closed through the night. Open 6 a.m.

You in the Porker? I'll look out for you.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 15th June 08:13

[jet_noise]

f1_dragon said:

Heading up to Fort William tomorrow, and then covering West and North West sections Thursday and Friday - can’t wait!
Fingers crossed for good weather and fairly open roads.
Thurs
Fort Willliam - Applecross - Gairloch - Arrina - Ullapool - Lochinver
Fri
Lochinver - Unapool - Tongue - Lairg - Glencoe

Any tips much appreciated!

Nothing is faster than the post office van/truck.

[GetCarter]

jet_noise said:

Nothing is faster than the post office van/truck.

Is your car silver with a tow bar? If so I saw it outside Spar this morning.

[f1_dragon]

GetCarter said:

If you want a really pretty route, Ullapool to Lochinver go via Inverkirkaig - You'll use most of the other road the next morning on your way to Unapool

This is the road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRsfrcPAJdQ

If you're staying in Inverlodge in Lochinver.. ask for room 11 (it has access to the gardens).

It probably won't affect you but the road here (Applecross to Shieldaig) is closed through the night. Open 6 a.m.

You in the Porker? I'll look out for you.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 15th June 08:13

That's great info - thank you very much.

The Porker is in semi-retirement after many years of faultless service. I'll be in a black 458, also with a blue RS3 and a yellow Perf...so you'll probably hear that before you see us. :-)

Thanks again.

[Heidfirst]

GetCarter said:

I understand it but I suspect that you can't put the cat back in the bag ...

[GetCarter]

Heidfirst said:

I understand it but I suspect that you can't put the cat back in the bag ...

We were discussing this earlier, and of course a whole bunch will still go to Applecross because of the Bealach na Ba - but then a whole other bunch will never have heard of it (or Applecross) and just follow the NC500 route like sheep.

I have mixed feelings. Fewer people would pass my house and clog up the single track coast road, but Glen Shieldaig (which is currently quite a quiet relaxed place) will become the next rat-run.

[jet_noise]

GetCarter said:

Is your car silver with a tow bar? If so I saw it outside Spar this morning.

Not unless it was taken without consent. And fitted with a towbar

The silver shed is usually parked alongside my house with red Git Up! in tandem.
Near the newly signed Rockvilla.

[Drive Blind]

Now back home after my road trip.

I did the first route suggested above with the changes mentioned by GetCarter
Inverness, Garve, Lochcarron, Applecross,Fearnmore, Kinlochewe, Drumchork, Inverness

The right turn for 2 miles and back at Kinlochewe was most welcome after getting stuck behind camper vans on the single track section between Torridon and Kinlochewe.

The road I enjoyed the most was the A835 back to Garve.

I also noted the points made by mallygreen. The Applecross peninsula had stunning scenery but the single track roads and camper vans don't mix well. Will need to visit the Lairg / Tongue area on my next visit.

Comedy moment was when I stopped after a period of fast A road driving. I had barely taken the seat belt off when a mobile library came tearing past. I hadn't seen anything in my mirrors for ages.

Didn't fancy the trudge back down the A9 so went,
Fort William, Ballachulish, Connel, Inveraray, down loch long and then over the rollercoaster road back onto the A82.

Total miles = 670
Total driving time = 16hrs
Average speed = 42 mph
Average mpg = 52

[SteffCTS]

Anyone from here? Sango Sands Oasis posted it earlier today.

[bigwheel]

Drive Blind said:

Now back home after my road trip.

I did the first route suggested above with the changes mentioned by GetCarter
Inverness, Garve, Lochcarron, Applecross,Fearnmore, Kinlochewe, Drumchork, Inverness

The right turn for 2 miles and back at Kinlochewe was most welcome after getting stuck behind camper vans on the single track section between Torridon and Kinlochewe.

The road I enjoyed the most was the A835 back to Garve.

I also noted the points made by mallygreen. The Applecross peninsula had stunning scenery but the single track roads and camper vans don't mix well. Will need to visit the Lairg / Tongue area on my next visit.

Comedy moment was when I stopped after a period of fast A road driving. I had barely taken the seat belt off when a mobile library came tearing past. I hadn't seen anything in my mirrors for ages.

Didn't fancy the trudge back down the A9 so went,
Fort William, Ballachulish, Connel, Inveraray, down loch long and then over the rollercoaster road back onto the A82.

Total miles = 670
Total driving time = 16hrs
Average speed = 42 mph
Average mpg = 52

That "roller coaster" will be the A817, 10 minutes from where I live
It is a corker!

[jet_noise]

SteffCTS said:

Anyone from here? Sango Sands Oasis posted it earlier today.

I also saw this (or a similar) lot parked at Cafe Ceardach, Strathcarron, Monday.

[BrotherMouzone]

I don’t see the attraction of traveling in such large group. It’s a pain for hotel, lunch/dinner, fuel stops, parking etc. Plus you can’t be sure if everyone in the group has the right attitude i.e don’t be a d1ck and ps off locals etc

[jet_noise]

Need a midge forecast?
Yes, there is such a thing here

Every day's a learning day, saw it in the NC500 FB group

[Blown2CV]

BrotherMouzone said:

I don’t see the attraction of traveling in such large group. It’s a pain for hotel, lunch/dinner, fuel stops, parking etc. Plus you can’t be sure if everyone in the group has the right attitude i.e don’t be a d1ck and ps off locals etc

and it's utterly infuriating for everyone when the group goes on a single track road.

[f1_dragon]

GetCarter said:

If you're staying in Inverlodge in Lochinver.. ask for room 11 (it has access to the gardens).

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 15th June 08:13

Many thanks for this tip, spectacular room!

[GetCarter]

f1_dragon said:

GetCarter said:

If you're staying in Inverlodge in Lochinver.. ask for room 11 (it has access to the gardens).

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 15th June 08:13

Many thanks for this tip, spectacular room!

Nice when a plan comes together!