NC500 ish - Trip Report

[blaineuk]

Did a good part of this last week. was a fantastic trip, weather was good, traffic light and the roads great. also went over to Skye.

Edited by blaineuk on Sunday 11th October 09:48

Edited by blaineuk on Sunday 11th October 09:49

[blaineuk]

[JamieRS250]

Riley Blue said:

I meant with no other cars. I've never found driving in a group of cars anywhere near as enjoyable as when we've been on our own.

On your own is far better particularly on single track roads. You can drive at your own pace, passing is easier, there are more opportunities to stop, you can have refreshments when it suits only you and so on.

When I've taken part in organised tours and driving events both in the UK and on the continent They've been far less fun; have a look at some YouTube videos of groups driving the NC500 and you'll soon see what I mean.

You've not done it with the right group then imo.

We had loads of fun with 3 of us being the quicker guys with the 355, the 911 and my M3 and the others having their own pace in their little group.

[sherman]

blaineuk said:

So was it the right car?

[coppice]

Nah- this is the right car for NW Scotland . It turns a journey into an adventure. Sometimes a damp one..

[Riley Blue]

JamieRS250 said:

Riley Blue said:

I meant with no other cars. I've never found driving in a group of cars anywhere near as enjoyable as when we've been on our own.

On your own is far better particularly on single track roads. You can drive at your own pace, passing is easier, there are more opportunities to stop, you can have refreshments when it suits only you and so on.

When I've taken part in organised tours and driving events both in the UK and on the continent They've been far less fun; have a look at some YouTube videos of groups driving the NC500 and you'll soon see what I mean.

You've not done it with the right group then imo.

We had loads of fun with 3 of us being the quicker guys with the 355, the 911 and my M3 and the others having their own pace in their little group.

I've never done it with any group, nor would I ever want to. I've never had as much fun driving with others as I have on my own whether it be at 140+ on an autobahn or at 40 on the twistier parts of a Scottish single track but as long as we each enjoy the experience to the maximum, that's what matters.

[blaineuk]

sherman said:

So was it the right car?

yes, although that was partly down to the good weather, the golf would have been better in poor weather.

[monkfish1]

sherman said:

blaineuk said:

So was it the right car?

Id say so. Even if im biased. But possibly a little bit too competent?

[monkfish1]

JamieRS250 said:

Said stuff.

Great write up. It really is great isnt it. Wise move dropping the east coast.

Cant wait to go back again.

[monkfish1]

Riley Blue said:

DannyScene said:

Riley Blue said:

DannyScene said:

cheeky_chops said:

thanks for the detailed post. Missus and i have decided (rather last minute) to make a journey up next week. Got to get planning

We didn't bother with a plan, I've usually found the more I plan the more I fret about hitting certain mile markers and keeping to time scales, I find it much more fun now to have a start, a rough end and a few days in between to see where I end up.

To which I would add: for maximum driving enjoyment - go alone.

That is very true, we did it 3 up in 1 car, the company is nice but its a nightmare working out what you are and aren't going to stop for and inevitably people are going to miss stuff they want to see, next time we're going in a group but a car each

I meant with no other cars. I've never found driving in a group of cars anywhere near as enjoyable as when we've been on our own.

On your own is far better particularly on single track roads. You can drive at your own pace, passing is easier, there are more opportunities to stop, you can have refreshments when it suits only you and so on.

When I've taken part in organised tours and driving events both in the UK and on the continent They've been far less fun; have a look at some YouTube videos of groups driving the NC500 and you'll soon see what I mean.

There a lot of truth in that.

Did it recently (not the whole thing) with about 10 cars. Its too many. You are always hampered by the slowest in the group and/or pace set by the leader.

Previously done it with 3 cars total, with guys i know will set a pace pretty similar to mine. It worked well, we understand each other, and spaced out means it was pretty much as good as going on your own, but with added bonus of mates to talk to if an evening, at luch stops etc.

But as one car, you can truly 100% focus and enjoy the driving.

[sparkyhx]

totally jealous - I would have loved to join had I known. Would have been good to see Kens old S14 again as a bonus.

Drone footage is a nice touch

[Mr Tidy]

That's a fantastic write-up with some great photos.

It reminded me of a trip I did in May 2008 with the OH in my BMW 123d, although that was a tour not a road trip. And we did go up the East coast, and loop across to come back down the West. Mainly because I had to visit Muir-of-Ord as my late Dad was born there.

We took the ferry over to Skye then came back over the bridge.

This thread has reminded me I need to do something similar soon, but without a passenger and as a road trip now I've got a more suitable car!

[damianmkv]

Am starting to look at the NC500 to go with the same friends that we did Wales in the summer in our GTis..

For me, 3 is enough cars for a trip like this especially where the roads are narrow and twisty

Need to look at accomodation too as we're coming from the London area

[sherman]

damianmkv said:

Am starting to look at the NC500 to go with the same friends that we did Wales in the summer in our GTis..

For me, 3 is enough cars for a trip like this especially where the roads are narrow and twisty

Need to look at accomodation too as we're coming from the London area

For a rough route I would be looking at these sorts of distances per day.

London - glasgow
Glasgow- oban
Oban -skye(optional section)
Oban - thurso
Thuso - Edinburgh
Edinburgh - london

[leggly]

sherman said:

For a rough route I would be looking at these sorts of distances per day.

London - glasgow
Glasgow- oban
Oban -skye(optional section)
Oban - thurso
Thuso - Edinburgh
Edinburgh - london

I won’t ask you to plan a route for me then Oban to Thurso in one day is much too far. You would miss so much just trying to cover that distance in a day.

Edited by leggly on Friday 11th December 18:52

[sherman]

Ok add a stop at Ullapool/Apllecross area. It was just a rough guide though.

It very much depends on how much driving/sightseeing you are willing to do and the far north west section has some of the best bits of road.

[sparkyhx]

leggly said:

sherman said:

For a rough route I would be looking at these sorts of distances per day.

London - glasgow
Glasgow- oban
Oban -skye(optional section)
Oban - thurso
Thuso - Edinburgh
Edinburgh - london

I won’t ask you to plan a route for me then Oban to Thurso in one day is much too far. You would miss so much just trying to cover that distance in a day.

Edited by leggly on Friday 11th December 18:52

Tend to agree with the Oban to Thurso, you'd be by-passing a lot (480 miles and 12hrs) , even if you detoured to Skye and set off from there it would be too much from Skye to Thurso

[bomster]

Great post. The photography is stunning.

I really need to go and visit Scotland!

[JamieRS250]

Trip planned and booked for this year with pretty much the same group, can't wait. Hope we get good weather again

[Welshwiseguy]

Literally convinced the Mrs into doing the NC500 this year. Even made her watch the Grand Tour episode to show her and she’s agreed. Can’t wait and reading threads like this make me so excited!! Good job and great selection of cars!!