NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
Looks like we did pull over and park up in a passing place yet when you see a car in a ditch and someone stranded you do what comes natural. Luckily for all this passing place was very generous in size, our cars caused no obstruction or delays to other road users, in fact it took us about 10 mins to get the car out/up and running and in all that time not a single car drove past.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/4veAseG8.png)
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/4veAseG8.png)
Blown2CV said:
wow, amazing cars and weather there. I'd kind of forgotten the Celica a bit but they look just right, and I don't just think it is 90s rose tinted specs either! Presume they are perfectly suited to that weather too.
The Celica GT4 is a well balanced car, where others failed we succeeded!! We covered approximately 1000 miles over three days in what can only be described as glorious weather. It was our seventh visit to the Highlands and last weekend was arguably the best, no camper vans, no rv’s, no bikers, no cyclists, no ramblers and no cows or sheep on the roads!! We had the Highlands to ourselves and it was awesome. Thank you Scotland!!
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Y2xh0jwO.png)
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Sv6uC0Dm.png)
connoisseur21 said:
Great pictures and solid advice on here, thanks go out to all. Me and swmbo are taking two weeks end of March/start of April to drive the NC500 in our 2006 Lexus RX350 old fashioned V6 with a good sound and appalling consumption!
A couple of years ago we drove 3500 top down miles down to southern Spain and back in a sadly missed Lexus SC430. The NC500 reads as an enjoyable UK alternative driving tour.
Going anti-clockwise from Inverness. Guidance on likely weather at that time would be very welcome. Are hoping for quieter roads by going before Easter, and will be spending 2 days + on the coast around Orkney, and same at Applecross.
Bealach na Ba is a must for me; aiming to drive the pass early morning or in the evening, if it is light enough for decent photo opportunities?
Also what does local knowledge say about mosquitos and/or midges as a problem at end of March?
Looking forward to a great road trip, at an unhurried pace and supporting the local economy by filling up at anywhere but Tesco or Morrison’s lol. We’ll see......
Thanks in advance
Michael
We’ve done NC500 for the past three years in mid May and there was no signs of any mosquitos or midges
A couple of years ago we drove 3500 top down miles down to southern Spain and back in a sadly missed Lexus SC430. The NC500 reads as an enjoyable UK alternative driving tour.
Going anti-clockwise from Inverness. Guidance on likely weather at that time would be very welcome. Are hoping for quieter roads by going before Easter, and will be spending 2 days + on the coast around Orkney, and same at Applecross.
Bealach na Ba is a must for me; aiming to drive the pass early morning or in the evening, if it is light enough for decent photo opportunities?
Also what does local knowledge say about mosquitos and/or midges as a problem at end of March?
Looking forward to a great road trip, at an unhurried pace and supporting the local economy by filling up at anywhere but Tesco or Morrison’s lol. We’ll see......
Thanks in advance
Michael
We’ve done NC500 for the past three years in mid May and there was no signs of any mosquitos or midges
carparkno1 said:
Quick Q... what's the phone reception like on the NC500 as a whole? Pal and I are debating cheap 2way walkie talkies as we drive, or should we just connect on bluetooth with our phones?
We do the NC500 3/4 times a year and we’re heading back in May. Phone reception is 50/50 we use Mitex General walkie talkie radios, good for half mile range due to the terrain We were stopped by a local policeman near Applecross who watched us drive down the pass where the oil platform is or was back in January. We were told that we drove better than the locals ie allowing traffic to pass at passing points. I asked the policeman how many offices patrol the west coast his response was three due to cut backs. Wow three officers to patrol such an area doesn’t seem an awful lot
Edited by Rocco1 on Tuesday 30th April 12:14
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