Highlands

[anonymous-user]

I haven't been up that way since about a year ago. The journey from Thurso to the coast was great- flowing and open. Once it became the coastal road, it was a blitz of traffic, roadworks and constant villages. Obviously an early start mitigates some of the traffic.

[leggly]

RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:

I haven't been up that way since about a year ago. The journey from Thurso to the coast was great- flowing and open. Once it became the coastal road, it was a blitz of traffic, roadworks and constant villages. Obviously an early start mitigates some of the traffic.

The coast too is a fast flowing road if you want it to be. The cruise set at sixty will see you through nearly all the bends without braking. Any faster and you start going slower if that makes any sense.

[Red Devil]

RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:

leggly said:

Tomorrow morning I will be traveling one of the best roads in the north of Scotland! Long flowing bends, clear lines of sight and pretty much empty for around 110 miles. Set the cruise control to 60 and enjoy. It’s all about timing as Mr GetCarter has mentioned so many times before, travel early and miss the hoards. The road? That’ll be the A9 from Thurso to Inverness. Timing is the key to a great day

There's a nice top portion of that route. The bottom half of it is fairly awful, traffic or no traffic! At least you're going in the right direction....

Agreed. South of Golspie is often dire. Mixing it with all the tourists who have been to Dunrobin Castle.
Stay off the A9 by going this way. Longer but a much more pleasant drive - https://goo.gl/maps/Nm8AN4w41Y3zdnSq7

[Gallons Per Mile]

I've just been over the Struie Heading home now after visiting family on the North coast. Shhh, don't tell anyone it's a fantastic road...

[leggly]

Gallons Per Mile said:

I've just been over the Struie Heading home now after visiting family on the North coast. Shhh, don't tell anyone it's a fantastic road...

It was looking busy this afternoon as I was dragged by the end of the road to visit Asda in Tain.

[Anonymous-poster]

Lots of total pricks out on the Roads today especially a black MX5 at the front of a small convoy of 2 MX5s a convertible Audi and an older 911.

[Gallons Per Mile]

leggly said:

It was looking busy this afternoon as I was dragged by the end of the road to visit Asda in Tain.

I was through there at about 7am, only saw a couple of people about. Safely back home now at the other end of the country. One speeding ticket on the door mat when I got home. I hope I noticed the temporary 50 limit in Lincolnshire on the way home or there'll be another one

[Sp00ks]

A real shame reading these last few pages regarding so many people abusing the highlands. We go pretty much every October half term staying in private rented accommodation and it has never been busy, and certainly not seen rubbish dumped everywhere. We are going again in a few weeks and I am hoping the situation up there is better and more back to normal now? This year we are staying right up on the North coast near to Loch Hope, we have previously stayed in Shieldaig, Torridon, Skye, Sallachy and Ardheslaig. I am really looking forward to it but a bit apprehensive to not feeling welcome up there if the locals have had a summer of chaos bestowed upon them.

[GetCarter]

Sp00ks said:

A real shame reading these last few pages regarding so many people abusing the highlands. We go pretty much every October half term staying in private rented accommodation and it has never been busy, and certainly not seen rubbish dumped everywhere. We are going again in a few weeks and I am hoping the situation up there is better and more back to normal now? This year we are staying right up on the North coast near to Loch Hope, we have previously stayed in Shieldaig, Torridon, Skye, Sallachy and Ardheslaig. I am really looking forward to it but a bit apprehensive to not feeling welcome up there if the locals have had a summer of chaos bestowed upon them.

It's got a lot quieter in the past week - still busier than your average start of October mind.

[leggly]

Sp00ks said:

A real shame reading these last few pages regarding so many people abusing the highlands. We go pretty much every October half term staying in private rented accommodation and it has never been busy, and certainly not seen rubbish dumped everywhere. We are going again in a few weeks and I am hoping the situation up there is better and more back to normal now? This year we are staying right up on the North coast near to Loch Hope, we have previously stayed in Shieldaig, Torridon, Skye, Sallachy and Ardheslaig. I am really looking forward to it but a bit apprehensive to not feeling welcome up there if the locals have had a summer of chaos bestowed upon them.

You’ll be fine, it’s the folk who park in passing places for the night or camp next their cars and leave a mess that are the problem. You have chosen an excellent area to stay in. Just make sure you are up early enough to watch the sun rise over Loch Eribol at least once during you stay. It is spectacular from Ard Neackie viewpoint. The other option is to head towards Tongue and stop at Moine House.

[Riley Blue]

Having had to cancel our trip in May we're now thinking of late March / early April next year. Instead of staying in B&Bs around the NC500 we think we'll self-cater at a single base and explore from there.

Suggestions where to base ourselves welcome. Garve was previously mentioned but local knowledge may result in somewhere better. We shall be in our '63 Riley so not looking to cover vast distances each day.

[leggly]

Riley Blue said:

Having had to cancel our trip in May we're now thinking of late March / early April next year. Instead of staying in B&Bs around the NC500 we think we'll self-cater at a single base and explore from there.

Suggestions where to base ourselves welcome. Garve was previously mentioned but local knowledge may result in somewhere better. We shall be in our '63 Riley so not looking to cover vast distances each day.

We’re in Portskerra/Melvich so it’s probably not ideal as it’s right on the edge of the good stuff. The Halladale Inn do Pods for hire just down the road but I’d be looking around Kinlochbervie if I were you. It’s not too far from Assynt and Ullapool, Kylesku is just down the road.

[snowandrocks]

Definitely not Garve - I always think it's pretty depressing and is dominated by the main road!

Is it just the NW Highlands you want to explore?

[GetCarter]

snowandrocks said:

Definitely not Garve - I always think it's pretty depressing and is dominated by the main road!

Is it just the NW Highlands you want to explore?

Indeed. Garve is the last place in Highland Scotland you'd like to be based! Okay, Achnasheen would be a lot worse.

So near and yet so far with these places.

[Riley Blue]

Garve deleted - thanks.

[GetCarter]

Riley Blue said:

Garve deleted - thanks.

There are, of course, many fab locations further north (where we visit regularly), but if you are around here, Plockton, Ullapool or Torridon are good places to base yourselves. Shout if you want recommendations.

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 4th October 14:00

[Sp00ks]

leggly said:

You’ll be fine, it’s the folk who park in passing places for the night or camp next their cars and leave a mess that are the problem. You have chosen an excellent area to stay in. Just make sure you are up early enough to watch the sun rise over Loch Eribol at least once during you stay. It is spectacular from Ard Neackie viewpoint. The other option is to head towards Tongue and stop at Moine House.

Thanks for tip, have saved both locations in google maps.

[Riley Blue]

GetCarter said:

Riley Blue said:

Garve deleted - thanks.

There are, of course, many fab locations further north (where we visit regularly), but if you are around here, Plockton, Ullapool or Torridon are good places to base yourselves. Shout if you want recommendations.

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 4th October 14:00

We were looking at a map this afternoon and think we may divide the west coast in two with Torridon the halfway point. That gives us the excuse to make two trips and will also give us more time to explore the lesser known roads, both on the coast and inland. Once we've decided that Steve I'll drop you a line.

[Red Devil]

leggly said:

Riley Blue said:

Having had to cancel our trip in May we're now thinking of late March / early April next year. Instead of staying in B&Bs around the NC500 we think we'll self-cater at a single base and explore from there.

Suggestions where to base ourselves welcome. Garve was previously mentioned but local knowledge may result in somewhere better. We shall be in our '63 Riley so not looking to cover vast distances each day.

We’re in Portskerra/Melvich so it’s probably not ideal as it’s right on the edge of the good stuff. The Halladale Inn do Pods for hire just down the road but I’d be looking around Kinlochbervie if I were you. It’s not too far from Assynt and Ullapool, Kylesku is just down the road.

Having tried both I much prefer the single base format (whether B&B or self-catering) rather than having to unpack/repack on a daily basis.
The latter is a PITA. Much better to leave behind in the house all the stuff you don't actually need and travel light.
That said, you can end up doing more miles than by moving on each day to the next nightly stop on a tour of the NC500. .

For a single base (meaning out-and-back daily excursions), Kinlochbervie is much too far north imo.
Ullapool is my preference. Handy for shops if needed for self-catering with a petrol station* to hand when the tank needs replenishing.
Second choice would be Lochinver.

 * It does super unleaded which is handy as my chariot gets stroppy if fed a diet of 95RON!

[chalda]

In Ullapool I stay at the Waterside B&B. The view from your bedroom window over the water into the raising sun is (was) amazing. And the sun streaming into the dining room at breakfast. A nice place to be.