NC500 (north coast road)

[GetCarter]

FYI, the NC500 is going to grind to a halt at the Balgy Bridge, east of Shieldaig - on one of the busiest days of the year.

[maxwellwd]

Have a question for the knowledgeable here. Not strictly NC500 related though, I have a flat in Kirriemuir in Angus and wondered if folks of this fine thread knew of any good driving roads/scenic roads/routes etc.

I have driven around Glen Isla, Glen Dole & Glen Clova. Just wondered is there more to see around the Cairngorns.

[Heidfirst]

I take it that you have been up Glenshee, over the top & down Deeside?

[john_1983]

maxwellwd said:

Have a question for the knowledgeable here. Not strictly NC500 related though, I have a flat in Kirriemuir in Angus and wondered if folks of this fine thread knew of any good driving roads/scenic roads/routes etc.

I have driven around Glen Isla, Glen Dole & Glen Clova. Just wondered is there more to see around the Cairngorns.

Blairgowrie north on the A93 as suggested above, and Cairn o' Mount (B974) through Fettercairn are the two obvious ones

[maxwellwd]

john_1983 said:

maxwellwd said:

Have a question for the knowledgeable here. Not strictly NC500 related though, I have a flat in Kirriemuir in Angus and wondered if folks of this fine thread knew of any good driving roads/scenic roads/routes etc.

I have driven around Glen Isla, Glen Dole & Glen Clova. Just wondered is there more to see around the Cairngorns.

Blairgowrie north on the A93 as suggested above, and Cairn o' Mount (B974) through Fettercairn are the two obvious ones

Thanks John, good to know. Will certainly check them out.

[Patrick Bateman]

Both correct although the speed some drivers sit at on the B974 is excruciating with relatively limited overtaking opportunities.

I've often pulled into a layby and waited a while to try and create a gap to enjoy the road- never long before you catch up with the person again.

[5 In a Row]

A923 Blairgowrie to Dunkeld.
It's been a while since I drove it but having done it a few times on a quiet weekday it's a drive that sticks in my mind.
I seem to remember the lovely smell of hot brakes

[toon10]

toon10 said:

My brother and I are doing the route next month over 5 days. We're using his stage 1 S4 Avant and staying over in hotels. Hopefully it will be a good way to test the roads and see if I can do them again in a small camper which I plan to get in a year or so. I appreciate some of the passes and roads are not campervan friendly!

A few shots from the trip. Not many places to fully enjoy the car but we did get a nice flow going in sections. I bought the campervan in the end, so I'll be back but doing it more sedately.

[nebpor]

Some friends and I went up to Mallaig on Wednesday and back down on Thursday. Oban virtually gridlocked, Fort William virtually gridlocked and it's only May. This was outside normal school/rush hour.

These small town's businesses must be desperate now - when the traffic is so bad, people aren't inclined to stop and get a coffee/lunch/etc - they want to get past them as quickly as possible. It's a shame.

[Red Devil]

Good weather for it.

Janluke said:

Loch Stack - https://goo.gl/maps/BBgs53brbsabUECy8

toon10 said:

Loch Eriboll - https://goo.gl/maps/naLYYoBEMjGkqYQ37

[skilly1]

Got a full week to myself over Feb half term and thinking of taking the GR Yaris around the NC500.

Will it be ok weather wise or is lots of roads closed due to snow.

I was just going to wing it - not book any accommodation as I’m on my own.

[sherman]

skilly1 said:

Got a full week to myself over Feb half term and thinking of taking the GR Yaris around the NC500.

Will it be ok weather wise or is lots of roads closed due to snow.

I was just going to wing it - not book any accommodation as I’m on my own.

Without a crystal ball to hand I wouldnt guaruntee that trip until you have the forecast less than 48hrs in advance.
Snow is easily possible until easter.

[tonyg58]

skilly1 said:

Got a full week to myself over Feb half term and thinking of taking the GR Yaris around the NC500.

Will it be ok weather wise or is lots of roads closed due to snow.

I was just going to wing it - not book any accommodation as I’m on my own.

Weather can be variable, but if I were you I would check accomodation, you may find many of the hotels etc will be closed for the season.

[GetCarter]

tonyg58 said:

Weather can be variable, but if I were you I would check accomodation, you may find many of the hotels etc will be closed for the season.

This. Most hotels closed now until Easter. Lots of Air B&Bs still open but many demand two night minimum stay.

Very few roads closed at any time on the NC500 due to snow. The road to Applecross being a notable exception. The main issue might be the roads to get here (A9/ A82 etc) and the roads in the middle between Inverness and the west coast.

Bear in mind mid feb sunrise +/- 8 am and sunset +/- 5:15 pm.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 29th January 08:18

[Tam_Mullen]

maxwellwd said:

john_1983 said:

maxwellwd said:

Have a question for the knowledgeable here. Not strictly NC500 related though, I have a flat in Kirriemuir in Angus and wondered if folks of this fine thread knew of any good driving roads/scenic roads/routes etc.

I have driven around Glen Isla, Glen Dole & Glen Clova. Just wondered is there more to see around the Cairngorns.

Blairgowrie north on the A93 as suggested above, and Cairn o' Mount (B974) through Fettercairn are the two obvious ones

Thanks John, good to know. Will certainly check them out.

I know you asked the question in May, but I would add a trip up Glen Esk to your list if youre still in the area, its actually off the road you'd take to Fettercairn. Its a dead end so an up and down, but a pretty good driving road.

[skilly1]

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe I’ll look somewhere else - any suggestions for a 7 day trip from the Midlands !

[sherman]

skilly1 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe I’ll look somewhere else - any suggestions for a 7 day trip from the Midlands !

France. Reims -Lemans etc

[sjabrown]

skilly1 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe I’ll look somewhere else - any suggestions for a 7 day trip from the Midlands !

I wouldn't rule out NC500 for Feb mid term. You'll have the benefits of empty roads and it can highlight the bleakness of parts which is no bad thing. With a bit of planning there are places to stay in the larger settlements.

[47p2]

NC 500 is best done before Easter, you get the roads all to yourself with no traffic jams. Countryside might not be as lush in February but it will still be stunning

[mikeiow]

sjabrown said:

skilly1 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe I’ll look somewhere else - any suggestions for a 7 day trip from the Midlands !

I wouldn't rule out NC500 for Feb mid term. You'll have the benefits of empty roads and it can highlight the bleakness of parts which is no bad thing. With a bit of planning there are places to stay in the larger settlements.

Plus…take a tent and super warm quilt + sleeping bag - you can wild camp in Scotland, there’s the emergency accommodation sorted