NC500 (north coast road)

[towser]

samsock said:

Can I quiz the hive mind? I'm popping over to Torridon for Christmas, and wondering whether it's a waste of time bringing the mountain bike. Is it always snowy in the glens and lower passes?

It's a bit of a lottery - closer to the coast low lying snow is less likely.

If I was a betting man I'd say you're more likely to get wet and windy weather than snow at that time of year.

[samsock]

Sounds good thanks

[GetCarter]

towser said:

samsock said:

Can I quiz the hive mind? I'm popping over to Torridon for Christmas, and wondering whether it's a waste of time bringing the mountain bike. Is it always snowy in the glens and lower passes?

It's a bit of a lottery - closer to the coast low lying snow is less likely.

If I was a betting man I'd say you're more likely to get wet and windy weather than snow at that time of year.

9 of the last 10 Christmases have not had lying snow at sea level. Usually need to get to 1500 ft and up to reach the snow line.

This was yesterday, and snow is usually like this until mid Jan. (Wasn't last year mind!)



Feel free to PM l me and ask conditions before you come. I'll be here.

[samsock]

Cheers! Much appreciated.

[Mad_Mac]

Hi Carter
After fantastic 3 days in Scotland in April 18 it’s time to plan next visit. This time we are planning 5 days trip so we can spend more time on your roads. After doing whole nc500 last year this year we will ignore east cost as it was boring. We are planning to drive Glencoe to Isle of Skye, drive round island, then west and part of north cost, then back through old military roads.
What is the condition of the roads now? Any worst than 8 months ago? Does anyone knows any hidden gems (roads)?
What I watch my video from April I really can’t wait!
https://youtu.be/JHgcHkINPlo

[GetCarter]

Mad_Mac said:

Hi Carter
After fantastic 3 days in Scotland in April 18 it’s time to plan next visit. This time we are planning 5 days trip so we can spend more time on your roads. After doing whole nc500 last year this year we will ignore east cost as it was boring. We are planning to drive Glencoe to Isle of Skye, drive round island, then west and part of north cost, then back through old military roads.
What is the condition of the roads now? Any worst than 8 months ago? Does anyone knows any hidden gems (roads)?
What I watch my video from April I really can’t wait!
https://youtu.be/JHgcHkINPlo

Roads (potholes) are marginally better in the north west, but depending on winter weather they may deteriorate again. There's been quite a bit of EU money resurfacing here (Torridon), but that'll stop very, very soon!

Traffic gets busy April and gets quiet mid Oct. If you're here during that time, get out early as the roads only get busy at about 10 am.

[Mad_Mac]

Last year we went on 10.04 and west and north were deserted. This time we are going on 21.04 and I hope that 11 days won’t make huge difference. Is Skye worst than west cost of nc500(surface quality wise)? Is it worth to drive round whole Skye?

[ninepoint2]

Mad_Mac said:

Last year we went on 10.04 and west and north were deserted. This time we are going on 21.04 and I hope that 11 days won’t make huge difference. Is Skye worst than west cost of nc500(surface quality wise)? Is it worth to drive round whole Skye?

Might be a tad busier, 21st is Easter Sunday

[GetCarter]

ninepoint2 said:

Mad_Mac said:

Last year we went on 10.04 and west and north were deserted. This time we are going on 21.04 and I hope that 11 days won’t make huge difference. Is Skye worst than west cost of nc500(surface quality wise)? Is it worth to drive round whole Skye?

Might be a tad busier, 21st is Easter Sunday

Indeed. Easter is always very busy.

Skye (again) has had some proper resurfacing, but there are still bits that may catch you out.

[pti]

Slight thread revival. My girlfriend and I have decided that we're definitely going to do this later in the year (sadly looking like August due to various other commitments).

We'll be heading up to Inverness from Leamington Spa (so the best part of 500 miles before we start) and I'm debating which car to take: modified MR2 Turbo which will be thirsty and relatively uncomfortable, but will be a lot more entertaining on the good roads as well as afford far better photo opportunities. Or a diesel V70 which is economical and comfortable, and will allow ad-hoc camping. Negatives being it's not exactly a drivers car, nor is it the most photogenic.

What would you guys recommend?

Edited by pti on Friday 11th January 22:26

[57 Chevy]

pti said:

Slight thread revival. My girlfriend and I have decided that we're definitely going to do this later in the year (sadly looking like August due to various other commitments).

We'll be heading up to Inverness from Leamington Spa (so the best part of 500 miles before we start) and I'm debating which car to take: modified MR2 Turbo which will be thirsty and relatively uncomfortable, but will be a lot more entertaining on the good roads as well as afford far better photo opportunities. Or a diesel V70 which is economical and comfortable, and will allow ad-hoc camping. Negatives being it's not exactly a drivers car, nor is it the most photogenic.

What would you guys recommend?

Edited by pti on Friday 11th January 22:26

If anyone says the Volvo we might as well shut this website down.

[CABC]

57 Chevy said:

pti said:

Slight thread revival. My girlfriend and I have decided that we're definitely going to do this later in the year (sadly looking like August due to various other commitments).

We'll be heading up to Inverness from Leamington Spa (so the best part of 500 miles before we start) and I'm debating which car to take: modified MR2 Turbo which will be thirsty and relatively uncomfortable, but will be a lot more entertaining on the good roads as well as afford far better photo opportunities. Or a diesel V70 which is economical and comfortable, and will allow ad-hoc camping. Negatives being it's not exactly a drivers car, nor is it the most photogenic.

What would you guys recommend?

Edited by pti on Friday 11th January 22:26

If anyone says the Volvo we might as well shut this website down.

well it's August. unless gf is up for early starts i think the Volvo might be best

[GetCarter]

...or fly to Inverness and rent something nice

https://www.highlandsupercars.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobC...

ETA... The Volvo will be better on some bits

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 12th January 08:04

[pti]

CABC said:

57 Chevy said:

pti said:

Slight thread revival. My girlfriend and I have decided that we're definitely going to do this later in the year (sadly looking like August due to various other commitments).

We'll be heading up to Inverness from Leamington Spa (so the best part of 500 miles before we start) and I'm debating which car to take: modified MR2 Turbo which will be thirsty and relatively uncomfortable, but will be a lot more entertaining on the good roads as well as afford far better photo opportunities. Or a diesel V70 which is economical and comfortable, and will allow ad-hoc camping. Negatives being it's not exactly a drivers car, nor is it the most photogenic.

What would you guys recommend?

Edited by pti on Friday 11th January 22:26

If anyone says the Volvo we might as well shut this website down.

well it's August. unless gf is up for early starts i think the Volvo might be best

Yeah, I'm guessing August isn't the best month for clear roads...

[pti]

GetCarter said:

...or fly to Inverness and rent something nice

https://www.highlandsupercars.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobC...

ETA... The Volvo will be better on some bits

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 12th January 08:04

Considered, but sadly a little out of our price range! We'd be up there for 8 days.

I'm leaning towards the MR2 (naturally) but I'm a big fan of the old bus

[GetCarter]

pti said:

Yeah, I'm guessing August isn't the best month for clear roads...

Just to give you an idea, at the moment we get +/- 3 cars an hour past us (I'm on the NC500). I sat outside on a Sunday in August with a beer and just for the hell of it counted the cars over an hour, and there were 84. Doesn't sound a lot, but bear in mind the roads are often single track (almost all of them round here).... meaning some 'passing place maneuvers' will be needed more than once a minute.

...and if you come across someone who doesn't let quicker cars pass, you can get stuck behind them at whatever speed they decide to drive for many, many miles.

[hairybiddy]

dont worry about the economy of the cars fuel is avaliable, I did it in a c63 last year. avalability of super unleaded abover inverness lacking though take some octane booster if the modded Mr2 needs super.

take note of Mr Carters points though, sitting behind an Italian camper van for 40 miles isnt fun... :-) German ones tended to let you past Italians not so much.. I went around September time..

[Rocco1]

We’re heading towards Aviemore, Ullapool Applecross and Oban up next weekend. Fingers crossed we see Applecross and Ullapool dusted in snow.

[pti]

Thanks for the info so far chaps, no doubt I'll be on here asking all manner of stupid questions over the coming months!

MR2 does take super, so octane booster is a must!

[abzmike]

Rocco1 said:

We’re heading towards Aviemore, Ullapool Applecross and Oban up next weekend. Fingers crossed we see Applecross and Ullapool dusted in snow.

Wishing for a dusting is a very specific request - The long term forecast suggests there might be a bit more than that!