North Coast 500

[Pudsey Bear]

We did the run-up to this year's Orkney meet from Inverness via John O'Groats then Thurso for the ferry.

Our first time in the north of Scotland, so all brand new unexplored territory for us.

This was smack bang in the middle of June, taking us just over two weeks there and back home.

Return journey was from Thurso along to Tongue then turned southwards for an overnight stop off at Bonar Bridge (there's a long-time WC-er we know who now lives there).

Headed back down from Bonar with a quick detour to Cromarty on our friend's recommendation, which is lovely and well worth visiting.

Down the east side of Loch Ness, then a quick visit to the Falkirk Wheel (decided not to bother with it) and a look at the Kelpies (certainly worth a visit for a look-see) then onwards to park up for the night at a fairly remote and quiet POI to the south and east.

We passed very few motorhomes/campers on the roads the entire voyage - apart from JoG which was rammed nose to tail with the b*ggers. Honestly, once you've been to JoG why the heck would anyone ever want to go back?! There's no ferries there any more, so its not even a destination for travelling onwards to anywhere interesting by sea, and the main buildings, retail outlets etc. looked desolate (most units were empty, or in the process of being abandoned). Pretty depressing really.

We used to be able to WC on the green at Cromarty, now banned, it was a lovely spot to watch dolphins, big ships, liners etc.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Yes Passed JoG on way back from one of our northern trips ....

I say passed as we didn't even bother to slow down ...the view of it from a distance was enough ...

Almost as dismal and depressing as Morecambe .

People only go for selflessness front of the sign post I think, we did it, but as said it's a poo hole.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

From the Easter trip, before the NC Five Hunner was conceived. Note the sneaky one night stop at Loch Eribol. Weather was fantastic, when we left central belt, it snowing.

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3rd pic if it's the ring of bright water location we've stayed there twice.

 

[Robmac]

3rd pic if it's the ring of bright water location we've stayed there twice.

Great film Kev.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

We used to be able to WC on the green at Cromarty, now banned, it was a lovely spot to watch dolphins, big ships, liners etc.

Plenty of other places to park away from the "green" where I doubt anyone would bother you, and no signs anywhere saying otherwise

But we didn't actually overnight there, just parked for a while to take a look-see at the place.

I did take a couple of pics of an old VW Clubman parked up there out of interest.
Had obviously stood there a fair while, so must belong to a local.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Great film Kev.

It was indeed, I think I'm right but I'm on his ignore list I think.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Plenty of other places to park away from the "green" where I doubt anyone would bother you, and no signs anywhere saying otherwise

But we didn't actually overnight there, just parked for a while to take a look-see at the place.

I did take a couple of pics of an old VW Clubman parked up there out of interest.
Had obviously stood there a fair while, so must belong to a local.

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No dolphins though elsewhere.

 

[guerdeval]

Similar request but AVOIDING NC 500, I’ve arranged for good weather mid October so planning a Scottish trip so where are your favourite spots ?, other half prefers sites for security I prefer off the beaten track, either way looking for big skies,nice coastal villages and good walking and maybe a few quiet pubs for food as the nights are drawing in, all suggestions welcome.

 

[runnach]

Similar request but AVOIDING NC 500, I’ve arranged for good weather mid October so planning a Scottish trip so where are your favourite spots ?, other half prefers sites for security I prefer off the beaten track, either way looking for big skies,nice coastal villages and good walking and maybe a few quiet pubs for food as the nights are drawing in, all suggestions welcome.

See pics I posted at post 40. Pics 4 & 5. 4 was taken from the new road as you head to Applecross peninsula, looking over to Shieldaig Island, and beyond the island is Shieldaig Village itself, where you can find good hostelries for food and a few wet ones. We stayed on the crofter land, which is now a campsite, no idea cost per night. From the site there is a road, then track behind the school, there is a lovely coastal walk along Loch Shieldaig, then returning along Loch Torridon, which is where I took pic 5. It’s basically a peninsula walk, returning back to Shieldaig.

Lochcarron, we stopped at the Wee Campsite, which is behind the village main road and fuel station. Lochcarron hotel for food and wet ones are a short walk from site. Nice walks above the campsite, or walk along the loch towards North Strome and to the ruins of Strome Castle.

October will be beautiful with autumnal colours. Enjoy.

 

[Debs]

I enjoyed the NC500 before it was known as such, once it got labelled I never did it again and will not. I do have a few places that are only known to a relative few, and some of them you need good tyres to access them.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I didn't realise that the Bealach na Bà pass was part of it, that makes loads of sense NOT.

 

[guerdeval]

I enjoyed the NC500 before it was known as such, once it got labelled I never did it again and will not. I do have a few places that are only known to a relative few, and some of them you need good tyres to access them.

We did the 500 in 2022 but my wife fell down a bank into a loch and broke her ankle so we had to cut it short, Inverness hospital was top class though.

 

[Tim120]

Honest question, what does it mean to 'DO' the NC500, I assume there is a start point and an end point roughly 500 miles apart with a route between?

Hired a van in 2016 and had a great 10 days, probably did 'DO' some of it, we could tell with shops selling 'TAT'.
If the Bealach na Bà pass is part of it, we certainly did that part from up top down into Applecross, which is a wonderful place.
Stopped to take this pic. Beautiful scenery.

 

[guerdeval]

Honest question, what does it mean to 'DO' the NC500, I assume there is a start point and an end point roughly 500 miles apart with a route between?

Hired a van in 2016 and had a great 10 days, probably did 'DO' some of it, we could tell with shops selling 'TAT'.
If the Bealach na Bà pass is part of it, we certainly did that part from up top down into Applecross, which is a wonderful place.
Stopped to take this pic. Beautiful scenery.

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Where else would you recommend ?

 

[liz]

Join as a full member you will find plenty of locations on your sat nav after downloading and on the phone app.not many locations between tongue and Durness

Totally agree ,, JOIN

 

[Tim120]

Where else would you recommend ?

I'd find it difficult to recommend particular places, there are so many worth visiting.
Anything I would say has already been said in the above posts.

 

[Robmac]

Honest question, what does it mean to 'DO' the NC500, I assume there is a start point and an end point roughly 500 miles apart with a route between?

Hired a van in 2016 and had a great 10 days, probably did 'DO' some of it, we could tell with shops selling 'TAT'.
If the Bealach na Bà pass is part of it, we certainly did that part from up top down into Applecross, which is a wonderful place.
Stopped to take this pic. Beautiful scenery.

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I've done parts of the NC500 many times Tim, mostly before it was ever called that. I wouldn't consider doing it now as a complete route, I don't like being told where to go (although I often am!).

Applecross is my favourite place on Earth though, I know the locals there and have permissions to park up. Can't wait to get back there.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

And they want you back?

 

[guerdeval]

I'd find it difficult to recommend particular places, there are so many worth visiting.
Anything I would say has already been said in the above posts.

There’s only 2 so far, go on, give it a go

 

[caledonia]

My favourite part which I always recommend and a lot of people miss out is the Coigach peninsula making sure you go right round the coast to Rieff. The views over the Summer isles are. Then from there you take the Inverkirkaig road to the waterfall.