Discussion
I see where the confusion runs!
B869 - from Lochinver up to the near the Kylesku bridge. Nice road, flows well, has sight lines that can cope with a relative increase in traffic, and enough passing places. This is part of the NC500.
Un-named road from Badnagyle to Lochinver - not part of the NC500 - I've driven it in the past, and it was OK, but with the extra traffic last week it was just a chore to drive, it didn't really flow, and the traffic coming towards me just kept pushing through, hence my constant reversing to the last passing place.
Book found JM, will be obtained, thank you!
Only just back, but missing it already. Next time!
B869 - from Lochinver up to the near the Kylesku bridge. Nice road, flows well, has sight lines that can cope with a relative increase in traffic, and enough passing places. This is part of the NC500.
Un-named road from Badnagyle to Lochinver - not part of the NC500 - I've driven it in the past, and it was OK, but with the extra traffic last week it was just a chore to drive, it didn't really flow, and the traffic coming towards me just kept pushing through, hence my constant reversing to the last passing place.
Book found JM, will be obtained, thank you!
Only just back, but missing it already. Next time!
NC 500 is not like Route 66 , nor even the A66. It is a Visit Scotland idea and has no official status. To plagairise the Yardbirds , run it over , under , sideways , down - it's up to you. Frankly, I wish it had never been invented as the idiot quota has increased exponentially since it was...
GetCarter said:
Another two households near here moved out this month due to the NC500. My best mate is considering doing the same due to the ASTONISHINGLY bad driving we see every day.
It's killing itself.
wow... i knew it was bad but just figured it was kind of normal for Scotland to experience sIt's killing itself.
t driving tourists. it must have got a lot worse... or a lot more concentratedI'm not sure it's just the NC500. Tourist traffic seems heavier than I remember round here with astonishingly bad driving standards on display at times. I'm on the A82, 90 miles north of Glasgow and would like to think that 90 miles is enough for some to get the hang of their hire cars but clearly not!
Of course, camera vans are regularly out looking for folk speeding but it's rare to see the traffic units out during the day when the tourists are at their worst.
Of course, camera vans are regularly out looking for folk speeding but it's rare to see the traffic units out during the day when the tourists are at their worst.
JM said:
Peanut Gallery said:
I was not overly impressed with the road going from the summer Isles up to Lochinver, very narrow, rough, and the trees were growing around the road like a tunnel. I fully admit the road was still in the top 1% in the country though!
Red Devil said:
Interesting how people's PoV differs. The attraction of the B869 for me are the very things which don't impress you. 
A slender and challenging ribbon draped across a uniquely varied landscape.
The biggest issue AFAICS is its inclusion in the NC500.
It's not really suitable for the (often hired) herd of campervans driven by tourists who don't have a clue about single track road etiquette.
Fortunately my trips are always before or after most of them come out of hibernation.
A slender and challenging ribbon draped across a uniquely varied landscape.
The biggest issue AFAICS is its inclusion in the NC500.
It's not really suitable for the (often hired) herd of campervans driven by tourists who don't have a clue about single track road etiquette.
Fortunately my trips are always before or after most of them come out of hibernation.
Peanut Gallery said:
I caught it mid day, and mid season.. Was not aware the NC500 was on that road, that would explain the mighty high amount of reversing I needed to do, on top of the waiting! - no big groups though, which was good! (but a few suicidal motorbikes)
Not sure if there is some mix-up going on. But the 'wee mad road' (a book, look it up) from Badnagyle to Lochinver is not the B869, it is unclassified/unnamed and is not part of the official NC500 route.
https://goo.gl/maps/LLG9NgrrzEQ2
I must have had too much Merlot when I replied to Peanut Gallery.
You are, of course correct. He was talking about the unclassified road south of Lochinver.
Featured in pic 2 of the 4 that he posted earlier.
The B869 (NC500 route) to Unapool via Drumbeg is north of Lochinver.
I reckon that the section from Clashnessie Bay eastwards is just as difficult as the unnamed road from Badnagyle.
GetCarter said:
Approaching Loch Carron.
Love those aerial shots. That's the Kishorn side of the watershed on the A896.
In the centre you can see the bridge where it crosses the Abhainn Cumhang a' Ghlinne.
https://goo.gl/maps/qrRjjoQ81v22
GetCarter said:
Another two households near here moved out this month due to the NC500. My best mate is considering doing the same due to the ASTONISHINGLY bad driving we see every day.
It's killing itself.
Been that way up north in summer for more years than I care to remember. Those of us that lived at the end ot the A830 (Mallaig road) ,much preferred the road in winter to that in high summer. That was in the days when it was single track. (With passing places, but problem was that Home County man couldn't work out that PASSING meant in either direction). It's killing itself.
Rannoch/Glencoe- I and others used to zip up and down in all sorts of RWD vans & cars. It was only in winter with nasty side winds and driving rain that we slowed down. About five years ago, I had my last trip up north .Heading north was not much of a problem, except for a City Link bus.
Coming home, we had an almost funearal procession out of Fort William ,with the lead car not exceeding 25 for the first few miles. By then I'd whittled the lead down to four in front in the first three miles as nobody knew what overtaking meant. At three mile water straight, I'd got the lead car in sight, when it decided it had caused too much of a tail and pulled over. Same thing in Glencoe- strings of 40 anywhere glued nose to tail and objecting to anyone attempting to make good progress.
And in all this mess- WHERE WAS POLICE SCOTLAND. Most possibly sitting in a layby on a quiet road with coffee and donuts, watching slow strings of non speeding cars going nowhere. No speeding, so ALL is safe, that seems to be new Police view.
I did spot one so called safety van , located on one of the few places to get past problems ,at the top end of Loch Lochy.
Who me said:
I did spot one so called safety van , located on one of the few places to get past problems ,at the top end of Loch Lochy.
I'll bet it was on this bit - https://goo.gl/maps/yTHMNP8PyE22The one I saw was lurking in this upcoming layby catching southbound traffic - https://goo.gl/maps/YkwDg2e7xa32
The layby is 450 yards ahead according to the sign. But guess what sign comes afterwards, halfway to the layby.
Yep, a diagram 879 reminder: located there it's about as useful as a teapot made of chocolate...
Blown2CV said:
GetCarter said:
Another two households near here moved out this month due to the NC500. My best mate is considering doing the same due to the ASTONISHINGLY bad driving we see every day.
It's killing itself.
wow... i knew it was bad but just figured it was kind of normal for Scotland to experience sIt's killing itself.
t driving tourists. it must have got a lot worse... or a lot more concentratedStanleyT said:
(he uses Get Carters photo on his website - though I think that is in itself an image he has copied from the tourist board)?
Just FYI, I sold limited rights to NC500 to use the pic and let others use it, so they can. Though many others are using my photos illegally - but life is too short to chase them all!And our fave (Sutherland) hotel that we used to just turn up to, is now pretty much full 18 months in advance. You'd think they would be over the moon, but actually they resent the 'one night only' guests. Clientele has changed from those who want to see the beauty of the Highlands to those who want to 'tick it off their list' as they motor past.
Red Devil said:
Who me said:
I did spot one so called safety van , located on one of the few places to get past problems ,at the top end of Loch Lochy.
I'll bet it was on this bit - https://goo.gl/maps/yTHMNP8PyE22The one I saw was lurking in this upcoming layby catching southbound traffic - https://goo.gl/maps/YkwDg2e7xa32
The layby is 450 yards ahead according to the sign. But guess what sign comes afterwards, halfway to the layby.
Yep, a diagram 879 reminder: located there it's about as useful as a teapot made of chocolate...
My links were at the beginning and towards the end of the first section heading south from FW.
Yours might well be this one after Corriegour Lodge - https://goo.gl/maps/a3CQ76PvUWz
Yours might well be this one after Corriegour Lodge - https://goo.gl/maps/a3CQ76PvUWz
Love this thread - one of my favourites on PH - for the photos, advice and tales (and lack of confrontational comments ).
It appears to me, however, that the NC500 is fast becoming a victim of its own success. We’ve got a camper van, and from various FB forums etc it seems that every man and his dog is now doing it - bikers, cyclists, car clubs, motorhomers, caravanners etc, so we’ll not be taking our MH on the route. Instead, we’ll dip into some sections of it but otherwise explore the stunning Highland landscape on other roads.
Keep the pics and stories coming guys!
).It appears to me, however, that the NC500 is fast becoming a victim of its own success. We’ve got a camper van, and from various FB forums etc it seems that every man and his dog is now doing it - bikers, cyclists, car clubs, motorhomers, caravanners etc, so we’ll not be taking our MH on the route. Instead, we’ll dip into some sections of it but otherwise explore the stunning Highland landscape on other roads.
Keep the pics and stories coming guys!
In 2016, I've been to the Highlands and this year I will return! In October. Cannot wait. Two years ago, I built heavily on the instructions regarding roads to drive from this threat, and I was not disappointed. Moreover, the roads and scenery were breathtaking. So, again.
This year, after staying near Shieldaig, I intend to at least drive once into the NE of Scotland towards John o' Groats. Haven't been there since driving the 2009 LE JOG. So I need a base in Inverness. Could you recommend a B&B or boutique hotel in central Inverness in the range of 80-120 GBP per night? Thanks for your help!
This year, after staying near Shieldaig, I intend to at least drive once into the NE of Scotland towards John o' Groats. Haven't been there since driving the 2009 LE JOG. So I need a base in Inverness. Could you recommend a B&B or boutique hotel in central Inverness in the range of 80-120 GBP per night? Thanks for your help!
Edited by chalda on Wednesday 25th July 20:36
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