Discussion
Hi everyone,
Just read through most of this thread! All I can say is WOW!!
I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.
We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.
What would you guys recommend as a route? I've done a draft (here: https://goo.gl/maps/zDDxFbzbDQT2). I've picked up some places to go from this thread, but some extra pointers would be handy. Also does the route and venues on the route cater well for groups? At the moment there are around 7 of us hoping to make the trip.
Thanks,
Mitch.
Just read through most of this thread! All I can say is WOW!!
I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.
We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.
What would you guys recommend as a route? I've done a draft (here: https://goo.gl/maps/zDDxFbzbDQT2). I've picked up some places to go from this thread, but some extra pointers would be handy. Also does the route and venues on the route cater well for groups? At the moment there are around 7 of us hoping to make the trip.
Thanks,
Mitch.
Mitch_TCF said:
Hi everyone,
Just read through most of this thread! All I can say is WOW!!
I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.
We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.
What would you guys recommend as a route? I've done a draft (here: https://goo.gl/maps/zDDxFbzbDQT2). I've picked up some places to go from this thread, but some extra pointers would be handy. Also does the route and venues on the route cater well for groups? At the moment there are around 7 of us hoping to make the trip.
Thanks,
Mitch.
I wouldn't double back from Applecross, just follow the coast road round to Shieldaig.Just read through most of this thread! All I can say is WOW!!
I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.
We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.
What would you guys recommend as a route? I've done a draft (here: https://goo.gl/maps/zDDxFbzbDQT2). I've picked up some places to go from this thread, but some extra pointers would be handy. Also does the route and venues on the route cater well for groups? At the moment there are around 7 of us hoping to make the trip.
Thanks,
Mitch.
And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.
s70rmp said:
that's a lot of driving for a 4/5 days
wont give you much time to stop and enjoy the places you see/find
wont give you much time to stop and enjoy the places you see/find
GetCarter said:
I wouldn't double back from Applecross, just follow the coast road round to Shieldaig.
And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.
Thanks for the advice guys!! I will try and make the route last as long as possible, but it depends on what everyone can do. We've always wanted to go to Jon O'Groats, one of those places to say you've been. But if the drive is that drab then I think driving through the middle of the highlands would be a better route. And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.
Mitch_TCF said:
Thanks for the advice guys!! I will try and make the route last as long as possible, but it depends on what everyone can do. We've always wanted to go to Jon O'Groats, one of those places to say you've been. But if the drive is that drab then I think driving through the middle of the highlands would be a better route.
It's really pretty disappointing by all accounts so we gave it a miss. The drive from Tongue to Lairg is decent. Especially if you only have 4/5 days. Groups are fine but you will have to book well ahead, and don't be surprised if you are asked for deposits. AMG Merc said:
That is a gorgeous looking piece of engineering. Where is it?
That's Kylesku I believe?We normally go to Skye this time of year but this time decided to do the West coast section of the NC500. We stayed one night at the Kylesku hotel and the other at the Torridon, both were extremely good with the highlight of the Kylesku being able to watch a 14 point stag enjoying his evening meal from the balcony of our room. The Torridon was fantastic and especially so as they upgraded our room to the master suite.
Even with two days I don't think there was enough time to be able to do this section of the NC500 justice, there was far to much to see than was possible, I don't suppose it helps with doing it at this time of year and the days being so short, though the good thing about doing it in Novemebr is that the roads were really quite, doing the loop around Applecross we came across about six other cars which was great as it made for very relaxed driving, I don't know what its like in the summer but I bet fifty miles of single track road with lots of traffic wouldn't be quite so much fun. Overall it was a great trip, the scenery is fantastic, I remember coming round one bend heading towards Torridon just as the sun was setting to hear the wife go "wow" and it was one of those wow moments to see the sun setting on the hills was stunning. The funniest bit was at one point was when the wife thought she saw a cat walking along the road and commenting how it was a bit strange for a cat to be out here in the middle of nowhere, only to find when we got a bit closer it was actually an otter, think I've only ever seen a couple of these in the wild.
The tough decision is do we do it again next year or go back to Skye.
Even with two days I don't think there was enough time to be able to do this section of the NC500 justice, there was far to much to see than was possible, I don't suppose it helps with doing it at this time of year and the days being so short, though the good thing about doing it in Novemebr is that the roads were really quite, doing the loop around Applecross we came across about six other cars which was great as it made for very relaxed driving, I don't know what its like in the summer but I bet fifty miles of single track road with lots of traffic wouldn't be quite so much fun. Overall it was a great trip, the scenery is fantastic, I remember coming round one bend heading towards Torridon just as the sun was setting to hear the wife go "wow" and it was one of those wow moments to see the sun setting on the hills was stunning. The funniest bit was at one point was when the wife thought she saw a cat walking along the road and commenting how it was a bit strange for a cat to be out here in the middle of nowhere, only to find when we got a bit closer it was actually an otter, think I've only ever seen a couple of these in the wild.
The tough decision is do we do it again next year or go back to Skye.
Edited by davidexige on Monday 20th November 10:36
Mitch_TCF said:
Thanks for the heads up! I'll change the route accordingly
Just a heads up... when you get to the single track roads, don't convoy in groups of more than 3 or you can get seriously snarled up... just leave 10 mins between each group and you'll end up getting there quicker.If you can imagine what happens when 7 cars going down this hill meet 7 going up... or some caravans (eek)... you'll see what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn8xzp7fUlI
Mitch_TCF said:
I'm planning on heading up north in the spring / summer next year with some friends. We've been to Wales numerous time, North Yorkshire Moors and now want to head a little further afield.
I recommend spring not summer: mid May at the latest. We always go mid/late April.*No midges and before all the motorhomes/caravanners start clogging up the roads.
* I'm counting down the days already!
Mitch_TCF said:
We are all setting off from Derby, so our first day will mainly be taken up travelling to Scotland. I'm thinking of planning the trip to be around 4/5 days. I've been as far as Dumfries a few times before, but never any further.
It partly depends on whether the primary focus is on just driving or frequent stops for food/culture/taking pics etc.The north west Highlands are lot further than most people realise. You'll need the full 5 days to get the most from it imo.
If you haven't been that far up before be aware that fuel stations are not plentiful and close quite early.
There is a 24/7 pay-by-card pump at Scourie though.
If time permits I would suggest one or both of these route modificatons on Day 1.
Go via Dumfries and the A702 over the Dalveen Pass - https://goo.gl/maps/SsTJP554RHK2
I'm not a great fan of the A82 along Loch Lomond tbh, especially if you're in a camel train behind a HGV.
This is my preferred route - https://goo.gl/maps/cFUeADDKNTN2
The A817 Haul Road is a great drive. Rest And Be Thankful photo op on the A83.
Inverary is good for places to eat and has an excellent whisky shop.
If time is an issue stay on the A85/A82 instead of the B8074.
Much less traffic on the latter though and a bit more fun.
GetCarter said:
I wouldn't double back from Applecross, just follow the coast road round to Shieldaig.
And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.
+1And unless you have a burning desire to visit John o' Groats, I'd turn right at Tongue and avoid the (relatively) boring scenery (and busy roads) on the east coast.
Unless you have a pressing need to tick off an item on a bucket list, JoG is a waste of time and fuel. imo
If you must go there leave asap and take the dead end road up to the lighthouse at Duncansby Head.
Park up and walk over the head for the view of the magnificent cliffs and sea stacks.
Otherwise, from Tongue take the A836 to Lairg. I can recommend the Pier cafe for lunch or tea.
Then continue to Bonar Bridge: stay on the A836 across the bridge over the Kyle of Sutherland.
After that the B9176 over The Struie to the A9 near Alness.
Alternatively continue east from Tongue via Bettyhill and Melvich then the A897 to the A9 at Helmsdale.
The A897 scenery is quite different from the A836. Try 'driving' them both using Google Street View and see.
Fully endorse GetCarter's and Red Devil's suggestions, we took a load of McLarens around the best bits of the Nc500 (renamed the Mc500) a few months back and cut out the top bit. Following the coast road after Applecross around towards Torridon will take you past Steve C's house (remember to stop and get a selfie by his recycling bin!) it's a much nicer road than we first thought with some great viewing points.
Would also suggest you try and fit the loop around Loch Leven known as the Scotsburgring near Glencoe village.
It can be tiring though, try and keep the mileage within reason each day. By day four we were all exhausted!
Tasters...
Would also suggest you try and fit the loop around Loch Leven known as the Scotsburgring near Glencoe village.
It can be tiring though, try and keep the mileage within reason each day. By day four we were all exhausted!
Tasters...
M838T said:
Tasters...
B863 north side - https://goo.gl/maps/8LuAhWzHV9uCoast road from Applecross - https://goo.gl/maps/4zdLgewXurM2
Red Devil said:
B863 north side - https://goo.gl/maps/8LuAhWzHV9u
Coast road from Applecross - https://goo.gl/maps/4zdLgewXurM2
Ha ha, I did leave a couple of clues in there, but your knowledge of Scotland's highways and laybys is impressive! Coast road from Applecross - https://goo.gl/maps/4zdLgewXurM2
The roads are awful and there's nothing to see, do yourselves a favour and don't bother.
Ben Loyal by Squiffy1308, on Flickr
Ben Loyal by Squiffy1308, on Flickr
leggly said:
The roads are awful and there's nothing to see, do yourselves a favour and don't bother.
Ben Loyal by Squiffy1308, on Flickr
Heaven looks and sounds awful!Ben Loyal by Squiffy1308, on Flickr
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff