NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
fsouthbeachtals said:
Thanks to Get Carter for some great tips too.
Came here to say this. I was bimbling around up there a couple of weeks or so back, and Steve supplied some great inside knowledge, although was unable to arrange the weather for me 
Took a spot (understatement, I have reams of it to edit) of 360 video while the sun was out around Loch Eriboll (of Ard Neackie Lime Kilns fame) - https://youtu.be/V-qADZ2ZUQE?t=300
But my view from the top of the Bealach Na Ba wasn't so hot... https://youtu.be/oyfJ6Q4Ibbk
What I will say is that I had very few issues with traffic in the end - I don't know if I was just late enough in the year, or people adjusted plans after looking at the weather forecast. Whatever the reason, it was a joy to encounter so little traffic.
Should finish with an ObCarPic I guess...
I found another few days to go for a random drive. 
After Junes excursion over the Bealach, the plan this time was to do Inverness - Lairg - Tongue - Inverness. However the road from Lairg to Tongue is closed which I only discovered after passing all the signs. D'oh.
Plan B involved taking the A839 from Lairg to Ullapool. Had fish n chips for lunch then headed back to Inverness.
With a few hours daylight left I headed over the A939 to the Lecht Ski Centre.
I took the scenic route up the A82 this time. Tarbet - Crianlarich - Aberfeldy - Tummel Bridge, before joining the A9 near Blair Atholl. Surprising I got pretty much a clear run from there to Inverness. Just stuck the cruise on at 62 and I didn't catch anyone.
Total distance - 742 miles
Average speed - 46 mph
Average mpg - 50
After Junes excursion over the Bealach, the plan this time was to do Inverness - Lairg - Tongue - Inverness. However the road from Lairg to Tongue is closed which I only discovered after passing all the signs. D'oh.
Plan B involved taking the A839 from Lairg to Ullapool. Had fish n chips for lunch then headed back to Inverness.
With a few hours daylight left I headed over the A939 to the Lecht Ski Centre.
I took the scenic route up the A82 this time. Tarbet - Crianlarich - Aberfeldy - Tummel Bridge, before joining the A9 near Blair Atholl. Surprising I got pretty much a clear run from there to Inverness. Just stuck the cruise on at 62 and I didn't catch anyone.
Total distance - 742 miles
Average speed - 46 mph
Average mpg - 50
Drive Blind said:
A837 heading west just past the cattle grid - https://goo.gl/maps/LDQPx2MwLTQHXCyu8
Loch Borralan in the middle distance. The three mountains (l to r) are Cùl Beag, Cùl Mòr, and Suilven
Hi everyone, it might be a bit cold but we'll soon be back driving in some lovely spring sun
I'm planning my second Trip in Mid May of this year after doing the full 'official' 500 route last time around in late may early June, we'll certainly be skipping the east coast this time by taking either the Grand tour route past Lairg or one of the other routes e.g. A836.
Can anyone advise what the wild camping opportunities are like around lairg to Tongue? I'm using google maps street view to try sight some locations near the road but most forests look to be fenced in which must make them private land?
I completed the trip last time in an MX5 MK3 NC1, this time it will be in an NC2!
I'm planning my second Trip in Mid May of this year after doing the full 'official' 500 route last time around in late may early June, we'll certainly be skipping the east coast this time by taking either the Grand tour route past Lairg or one of the other routes e.g. A836.
Can anyone advise what the wild camping opportunities are like around lairg to Tongue? I'm using google maps street view to try sight some locations near the road but most forests look to be fenced in which must make them private land?
I completed the trip last time in an MX5 MK3 NC1, this time it will be in an NC2!
RamsdenWakefield said:
Hi everyone, it might be a bit cold but we'll soon be back driving in some lovely spring sun
I'm planning my second Trip in Mid May of this year after doing the full 'official' 500 route last time around in late may early June, we'll certainly be skipping the east coast this time by taking either the Grand tour route past Lairg or one of the other routes e.g. A836.
Can anyone advise what the wild camping opportunities are like around lairg to Tongue? I'm using google maps street view to try sight some locations near the road but most forests look to be fenced in which must make them private land?
I completed the trip last time in an MX5 MK3 NC1, this time it will be in an NC2!
I think you may have more of a problem this year as many that wild camped in the last two years left endless rubbish, burned land, sI'm planning my second Trip in Mid May of this year after doing the full 'official' 500 route last time around in late may early June, we'll certainly be skipping the east coast this time by taking either the Grand tour route past Lairg or one of the other routes e.g. A836.
Can anyone advise what the wild camping opportunities are like around lairg to Tongue? I'm using google maps street view to try sight some locations near the road but most forests look to be fenced in which must make them private land?
I completed the trip last time in an MX5 MK3 NC1, this time it will be in an NC2!
t, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired. GetCarter said:
I think you may have more of a problem this year as many that wild camped in the last two years left endless rubbish, burned land, st, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired.
That's appalling. I do a bit of wild camping in my van conversion, I wouldn't ever leave any kind of mess or evidence that I'd ever been there. I like to park up out of the way in a non nuisance manner and then support local pubs/restaurants.t, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired. GetCarter said:
I think you may have more of a problem this year as many that wild camped in the last two years left endless rubbish, burned land, st, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired.
Spot on Mr Carter!t, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired. Sadly, the genuine folks who truly "wild camp" will just get lumped in with the selfish savages who've used the highlands as a toilet during COVID.
Personally, I don't see what is wild about parking a campervan in a layby or up a forest track....
GetCarter said:
I think you may have more of a problem this year as many that wild camped in the last two years left endless rubbish, burned land, st, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired.
Similar across most of Scotland and really bad in the Lake District.t, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired. Saw TV & WWW coverage of Loch Lomond, AONB in the Lakes looking like a refuse tip.
People who usually fly on cheap package holidays abroad were blamed for a lot of it whether true or not. Whoever it was, should be ashamed but they won't be. Someone else has to clear it up.
Skyedriver said:
GetCarter said:
I think you may have more of a problem this year as many that wild camped in the last two years left endless rubbish, burned land, st, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired.
Similar across most of Scotland and really bad in the Lake District.t, and a seriously bad attitude towards the locals. Having spoken to many, I think It'll take years before that damage will be repaired. Saw TV & WWW coverage of Loch Lomond, AONB in the Lakes looking like a refuse tip.
People who usually fly on cheap package holidays abroad were blamed for a lot of it whether true or not. Whoever it was, should be ashamed but they won't be. Someone else has to clear it up.
t everywhere, bit annoying but it does make a prettier picture to relive.All set for two trips this year to make up for the ones I've missed in the last two years due to you-know-what.
Late April already sorted. Second bite will probably be late September. Don't do camping, so no potential for conflict with the local residents.
Will only be using the NC500 where practically unavoidable. There are quite a few dead end roads to explore which I haven't been down thus far.
Late April already sorted. Second bite will probably be late September. Don't do camping, so no potential for conflict with the local residents.
Will only be using the NC500 where practically unavoidable. There are quite a few dead end roads to explore which I haven't been down thus far.
Red Devil said:
All set for two trips this year to make up for the ones I've missed in the last two years due to you-know-what.
Late April already sorted. Second bite will probably be late September. Don't do camping, so no potential for conflict with the local residents.
Will only be using the NC500 where practically unavoidable. There are quite a few dead end roads to explore which I haven't been down thus far.
Diabaig?Late April already sorted. Second bite will probably be late September. Don't do camping, so no potential for conflict with the local residents.
Will only be using the NC500 where practically unavoidable. There are quite a few dead end roads to explore which I haven't been down thus far.
Thevet said:
Well, we have always picked up far more than we left, as we are ashamed to be in the same group of campers/walkers that st everywhere, bit annoying but it does make a prettier picture to relive.
Thank you, wish folk would take their stuff home.t everywhere, bit annoying but it does make a prettier picture to relive.Our local beach & dunes (machair) after the end of the first lockdown: bottles (broken many of them), bottle tops, cans, old barbeques, various items of clothing, soiled nappies (ffs), etc along with motorhome users tipping the contents of their toilets into a loch and down a road drain which connected direct to a watercourse.
Aye a wee bit of salt here and there but cant wait to get out in the car.
https://youtu.be/rpkAZBxk8y4
https://youtu.be/rpkAZBxk8y4
My brother and I are renting a Caterham for 4 days for a bit of exploring of the North West. He’s coming over from NZ and never driven up there ever before.
I’ve been round the NC500 many times and reckon a few days exploring the best bits up the west are better than doing the full 500. That east coast stretch down from JoG to Inverness is just awful in my opinion.
Really looking forward to it and hopefully the weather in mid June will be fine for a Caterham, and the fact that the schools are still in hopefully not too much tourist traffic to battle with either.
I’ve been round the NC500 many times and reckon a few days exploring the best bits up the west are better than doing the full 500. That east coast stretch down from JoG to Inverness is just awful in my opinion.
Really looking forward to it and hopefully the weather in mid June will be fine for a Caterham, and the fact that the schools are still in hopefully not too much tourist traffic to battle with either.
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