North Coast 500

Did it in 12 days, admittedly starting from the south coast.

12 days is too little time really



Starts getting good anti clockwise after Thurso.

North coast bit between Thurso and Durness is rather wild. Would have been happy to stay a while longer.



Best part of 2000 mile round trip.
 
I did it in September last year. Excellent.

Midges weren't too bad at that time (mainly as the rain was passing horizontally at 30 knots) but I took an anti-histamine tablet daily. The theory being that although it won't stop you getting bitten, they'll reduce the itching.

Morph.
 
I'm just finishing the route anti clockwise. Beautiful. I've been on the road 14 days now and am loched and mountained out. At the moment I'm overlooking Loch Alsh with a fine smattering of snow having fallen overnight. Thoroughly recommend the route to anyone.
 
We have a 7 metre van on a Ford Transit chassis. Any advice from people who have done the route with a similar sized vehicle would be welcome.
 
Yorkshirehead said:
We have a 7 metre van on a Ford Transit chassis. Any advice from people who have done the route with a similar sized vehicle would be welcome.
Click to expand...

Hi done this about 3 years ago with a transit roller team 6 berth van no problem when your up there you tend to drive a Wee bit slower anyway . There's some narrow roads but no problem if my memory serves me right there seems to be less trees the further north you go so you can see just that bit further . My new vans 8.5 meters long and I'll be doing it again some time this year . Hope you enjoy wully
 
Brilliant!

Looser cruiser said:
Hi done this about 3 years ago with a transit roller team 6 berth van no problem when your up there you tend to drive a Wee bit slower anyway . There's some narrow roads but no problem if my memory serves me right there seems to be less trees the further north you go so you can see just that bit further . My new vans 8.5 meters long and I'll be doing it again some time this year . Hope you enjoy wully
Click to expand...
Hi, Just the answer I was hoping for. Much appreciated.
 
2cv said:
Im doing it clockwise in early June in my 2cv, maybe see you going the other way.
It will have taken 17 years to get from Lands End to John o Groats, maybe one for the Guiness book of records!
Click to expand...

There was a group of 2CV owners from Essex doing it earlier this month. I met them several times along their way.
 
It is on our bucket list , We've done various bits, but the whole thing sounds a different experience.

Plan is to take the motor bike and ...
a) Park the motorhome
b) Do a bit of NC on the bike.
c) Return to MH on bike.
d) Eat / Drink / Sleep
e) Drive MH to next parking place.
f) Repeat from "a"


Still debating which way round to travel.
However, using the bike as above means we will travel each bit of road twice in one direction and once in the other. (does that mean it is NC1500 ?)
To my way of thinking if you do it clockwise the sea is on "your" side of the road, but anti clockwise means pointy bits are on "your" side.

Decisions .. decisions.
 
runnach said:
Whatever way you decide to go, when tackling the Bealach, you have to go down, you can take in the fantastic views descending. Going up, you miss it all.
Click to expand...

Too many double entendres...... smut chip overload!!!:lol-049:
 
North Coast

tadpole58 said:
Having just returned from driving round the NC500 I can thoroughly recommend the experience to you all. Although the weather at this time of year was not of the best at times, nothing could detract from the magnificent views. I decided to travel anti-clockwise but either way round would be good. I would be guided by the weather forecast more next time, you really want the best of the weather for the west coast leg I think. It is the perfect route for wilde campers - so many good places to stop. I did look at the POIs but you really don't need them. I haven't had time to go through all the photos I took but here are a few to whet your appetite for the trip.

View attachment 38357View attachment 38358View attachment 38359View attachment 38360View attachment 38361View attachment 38362View attachment 38363View attachment 38364View attachment 38365View attachment 38366View attachment 38367View attachment 38368View attachment 38369View attachment 38370
Click to expand...


We hope to do this at the end of August this year pictures look awesome it will be quite a trek for us as we are in Plymouth !!!!
 
We head off this weekend. We've planned to do it over 17 days with no fixed plan or anything booked for any particular day apart from going anti clockwise and taking it easy.

We will bear in mind the post about the main route being very busy and explore around it rather than sticking blindly to it.
 
When they say very busy it is all relative.

Still not much traffic.
 
Off round the route by 2cv, starting tomorrow. Weather looks great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top