North Coast 500 suggestions of where to stay etc

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24th May 2021, 12:06
Foxy100

North Coast 500 suggestions of where to stay etc

I'm heading to Scotland next month to drive the North Coast 500. The idea is to take a lot of photos of some cars in the spectacular scenery, probably over two (possibly three) days, including some early morning and sunset/dusk shoots. Do you have any tips on where to drive, any viaducts next to beaches accessible by car, particularly scenic diversions and so on please? Anywhere decent and relatively cheap to stay or places best avoided? General tips on what to see/do/take in and what to steer clear of? Best bits for driving with least amount of traffic? Thanks!
24th May 2021, 12:21
noidea

I am going in June and have just ordered this pocket guide literally a few minutes ago from Amazon!

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/n...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Never been before so can't help on any advise.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
24th May 2021, 12:29
pete-r

Ignore the masses, do it anti-clockwise. I would go from Inverness to JoG, stay near Thurso then head West to Ullapool, and finally south to Skye or Applecross or Fort William then come back home towards Glasgow for the routes finale.

If you go this way the route builds and scenery gets better teach day.
24th May 2021, 12:33
Foxy100

Quote:

Originally Posted by noidea

I am going in June and have just ordered this pocket guide literally a few minutes ago from Amazon!

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/n...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Never been before so can't help on any advise.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Fantastic - thank you, I've just ordered it. Maybe see you there!
24th May 2021, 12:35
Foxy100

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete-r

Ignore the masses, do it anti-clockwise. I would go from Inverness to JoG, stay near Thurso then head West to Ullapool, and finally south to Skye or Applecross or Fort William then come back home towards Glasgow for the routes finale.

If you go this way the route builds and scenery gets better teach day.

Great stuff - thank you.
24th May 2021, 12:39
number2

It has some of the most superb scenery that Britain has to offer, I genuinely hope you have a great time - and that it's nowhere as rammed as I think it will be.
24th May 2021, 13:22
dkpw

Quote:

Originally Posted by number2

It has some of the most superb scenery that Britain has to offer, I genuinely hope you have a great time - and that it's nowhere as rammed as I think it will be.

I'm staying with friends in a village on the Assynt peninsula in August. They own and rent out their holiday home, they have never had so many booking enquiries. It's going to be rammed!

https://www.dkpw.co.uk/watch/north1.jpg

https://www.dkpw.co.uk/watch/north2.jpg

https://www.dkpw.co.uk/watch/north3.jpg

https://www.dkpw.co.uk/watch/IMG-20200825-WA0001.jpg

https://www.dkpw.co.uk/watch/IMG-20200816-WA0006.jpg
24th May 2021, 13:26
higham5

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete-r

Ignore the masses, do it anti-clockwise. I would go from Inverness to JoG, stay near Thurso then head West to Ullapool, and finally south to Skye or Applecross or Fort William then come back home towards Glasgow for the routes finale.

If you go this way the route builds and scenery gets better teach day.

This ^^^^^^^^^^. I did it on a motorcycle in 2017. I stayed in Inverness( start point) and Thurso. Booking Inverness and Thurso took me 15/20 mins , I spent the rest of the day booking the west coast! We stayed at the foot of the “ Pass of the cattle” near Applecross and Ullapool. Accommodation was rock hard to find.

Regarding photo opportunities, you will be inundated, as long as the weather affords good visibility the views are jaw dropping.
Steve
24th May 2021, 13:30
blackal

For classic scenery and photo ops - these spring to mind

Glencoe, in any weathers
Oban
Loch Melfort
Connel Bridge
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Kylesku
Ullapool,
Inverpolly Nature Reserve and Stac Pollaidh
Lochcarron.
Applecross
Plockton

Amongst many others..............
24th May 2021, 14:08
davide

I drove it a couple of years ago and echo the advice to do it anti-clockwise as the western coast is breathtaking. At least two weeks is needed to avoid frustratingly missing stuff.

Some good suggestions above - don't miss the long climbing road up Bealach na Bha and Applecross.

Summer gets very busy indeed - we were lucky with late April/early May weather and the roads are empty at that time.

The locals get fed up with slow camper vans (especially those who stock up with provisions before reaching the area and spend nothing locally), people who drive selfishly on the single track sections (most of it) and those boy racers who belt round in a day upsetting everyone else.

Although there is much single track there are plenty of passing places and we never had any problems even driving a large (borrowed) new Discovery.

Have a wonderful time - it's the drive of a lifetime.
24th May 2021, 14:25
Templogin

I have been around it three times clockwise, long before it became popular, by car and motorbike including one trip in October - bad idea. Scenery that would bring a tear to the eye of a rock if it had one. The mile is longer in Scotland and the progress slower due to the single track roads. The NC500 has brought few benefits to most of the locals though, just a lot of traffic to roads unsuitable for that. The best thing that I can advise is spend freely.

I read a tale of a motorhome owner dumping the black water at a place where the local living nearby drew their drinking water from.
24th May 2021, 14:34
Foxy100

Thanks everyone. It's quite possible then we may look at some very early starts and some late finishes, just to take advantage of the photography opportunities and emptier roads.
24th May 2021, 14:44
LukeBird

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete-r

Ignore the masses, do it anti-clockwise. I would go from Inverness to JoG, stay near Thurso then head West to Ullapool, and finally south to Skye or Applecross or Fort William then come back home towards Glasgow for the routes finale.

If you go this way the route builds and scenery gets better teach day.

This, same way I did it.
Skye is very picturesque if the weather is with you. Applecross is pretty spectacular regardless. A82 through Glencoe towards Loch Lomond is stunning, one of my favourite ever drives.
24th May 2021, 14:50
CardShark

Don't miss the Bealach Na Ba as part of the Applecross Loop, probably the highlight for me from the parts of the 500 I've driven. Glencoe is magnificent as are many parts of the west and north coasts.

If you have the time I'd recommend driving the B863 around Loch Leven, it's hasn't earned the nickname Scotsburgring without good reason. Clockwise is best, IMO.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e74a9e4201.jpg

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24th May 2021, 14:55
CardShark

^^^ ref "clockwise" I'm referring to the B863, just to be clear. I'd say the same for the Bealach Na Ba however if you're intending on driving the 500 anticlockwise the pass is still spectacular.

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24th May 2021, 16:20
j0hnbarker

Sounds great Simon, I am very jealous!

Will you be able to update us afterwards? This is something I would like to do on one of my motorbikes some time in the not too distant future.
24th May 2021, 17:20
Foxy100

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0hnbarker

Sounds great Simon, I am very jealous!

Will you be able to update us afterwards? This is something I would like to do on one of my motorbikes some time in the not too distant future.

Yes, although as I'll be there primarily for photography (if I was doing it mainly for driving I'd do it in miserable weather in my MX-5, or overnight) I'll not necessarily have time for taking it easy and sampling as much of the local produce as possible. But I'll have a good go at it. And the photographs will be superb.

I've wanted to do this for ages. Before my wedding a few hundred years ago my wife suggested that since she'd chosen all our previous holiday destinations - all beach holidays in hot places, of no interest to me - I could choose our honeymoon destination. I proposed we drive my old Austin-Healey on the NC500. We had a beach holiday in Thailand.

Thank you to everyone else for the suggestions - I'm noting them down, and please keep them coming.
24th May 2021, 18:24
reggie747

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxy100

I proposed we drive my old Austin-Healey on the NC500. We had a beach holiday in Thailand.

Excellent hahahaha
24th May 2021, 18:43
j0hnbarker

Quote:

Originally Posted by reggie747

Excellent hahahaha

Indeed!
24th May 2021, 19:10
boundary546

5 of us on bikes are setting off this Sunday and having an 8 day ride.
1st night staying on the Isle of Arran
2nd night Balmacara
3rd night Ullapool
4th night Thurso
5th night Orkney Isles
6th night Inverness
7th night Troon
Expecting it to be around 1500 miles door to door
Even crossing to the Isle of Skye on the last manual turntable ferry :
https://skyeferry.co.uk/
24th May 2021, 19:19
village

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxy100

..... We had a beach holiday in Thailand. .

You always said how much you loved that honeymoon and that you wish you could’ve stayed longer. You are also always telling us that the long suffering Mrs F is so often completely right and that you should listen to her more often.

(This message is sponsored by The Friends of Mrs F. Next time I upset her I can point to this post and get back her in her good books :congratulatory:)
24th May 2021, 20:34
Foxy100

Quote:

Originally Posted by village

(This message is sponsored by The Friends of Mrs F. Next time I upset her I can point to this post and get back her in her good books :congratulatory:)

Definitely worth a try!
24th May 2021, 20:50
Chris_in_the_UK

Did the NC500 last year - most enjoyable.

Defo do it anti-clockwise, we started from Edinburgh (stayed at the Malmaison).

Worth scrutinising the map and hugging the coast a bit more in a few places, detour to the Isle of Skye was a good move (drive over the only bridge over the Atlantic) - we stayed at Greshnorish House Hotel (dog friendly and nice food). When heading home we diverted and drove down the side of Loch Ness for our last day - did extra miles but worth the drive.
24th May 2021, 23:06
CardShark

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK

Did the NC500 last year - most enjoyable.

Defo do it anti-clockwise, we started from Edinburgh (stayed at the Malmaison).

Worth scrutinising the map and hugging the coast a bit more in a few places, detour to the Isle of Skye was a good move (drive over the only bridge over the Atlantic) - we stayed at Greshnorish House Hotel (dog friendly and nice food). When heading home we diverted and drove down the side of Loch Ness for our last day - did extra miles but worth the drive.

Technically speaking the Clachan Bridge crosses the Clachan Sound just south of Oban though seeing as the Sound is open ended the bridge itself is referred to as 'Bridge Over The Atlantic'.

The bridge leads to islands that were mined for slate including the island of Easdale where the World Stone Skimming Championship is held! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...01d1f9198c.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ef7ea19442.jpg

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10th June 2021, 20:00
boundary546

Got back last Sunday, 1500 miles round trip.
We stayed at :
Corrie Hotel, Isle of Arran
Balmacara Hotel - Balmacara
Argyll Hotel - Ullapool
Inn Y Not - Thurso
West End Hotel - Kirkwall, Orkney
Royal Highland Hotel - Inverness
Piersland House Hotel - Troon

Not a bad thing to be said for any of the hotels, although overnight parking for the bikes was a bit worrying in Thurso.
All in all a great little trip, we were lucky with the weather and the roads felt like you were in Austria or Switzerland at times.
I'm sure we would all do it again at some point.

https://i.imgur.com/EE5gQ6X.png
11th June 2021, 18:28
Justin Case

Ullerpool?
17th July 2021, 09:32
Foxy100

It rained. But was spectacular. In the end we didn't do much NC500 but mostly some fantastic roads crisscrossing Scotland. Thank you everyone for all the tips, I fancy going back to do the NC500 proper at a slightly more leisurely pace, not that I'm complaining...

https://i.imgur.com/SJpxm2y.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WOFdRoT.jpg
17th July 2021, 10:29
aa388

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxy100

It rained. But was spectacular. In the end we didn't do much NC500 but mostly some fantastic roads crisscrossing Scotland. Thank you everyone for all the tips, I fancy going back to do the NC500 proper at a slightly more leisurely pace, not that I'm complaining...

https://i.imgur.com/SJpxm2y.jpg

That one hell of a car to take up there!!! I’m off up to Applecross I’m a couple of weeks so hopefully you had all the rain that’s coming [emoji106].

Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
17th July 2021, 12:49
CardShark

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxy100

It rained. But was spectacular. In the end we didn't do much NC500 but mostly some fantastic roads crisscrossing Scotland. Thank you everyone for all the tips, I fancy going back to do the NC500 proper at a slightly more leisurely pace, not that I'm complaining...

https://i.imgur.com/SJpxm2y.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WOFdRoT.jpg

How did you wangle that then? I presume that's the same Speedster that has been doing the YT and magazine rounds recently?
17th July 2021, 14:56
Foxy100

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardShark

How did you wangle that then? I presume that's the same Speedster that has been doing the YT and magazine rounds recently?

We asked nicely!
17th July 2021, 23:33
Chukas

North Coast 500 suggestions of where to stay etc

Quote:

Originally Posted by aa388

That one hell of a car to take up there!!! I’m off up to Applecross I’m a couple of weeks so hopefully you had all the rain that’s coming [emoji106].

Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

The weather has been superb for the last couple of weeks and hopefully continues [emoji3] ????

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18th July 2021, 00:02
glyn696486

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardShark

How did you wangle that then? I presume that's the same Speedster that has been doing the YT and magazine rounds recently?

From the outside it’s an impressive looking vehicle, for what I’m not sure. However if you have the money to buy one you probably don’t need a reason. Inside looks pretty soulless, square thick steering wheel and someone else’s parts bin for knobs and buttons? Saying all that I bet it’s a hoot drive and I would happily give part of my kidney to return for some pedal time. How did you find the drive with out a front screen?

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18th July 2021, 08:51
Foxy100

Quote:

Originally Posted by glyn696486

From the outside it’s an impressive looking vehicle, for what I’m not sure. However if you have the money to buy one you probably don’t need a reason. Inside looks pretty soulless, square thick steering wheel and someone else’s parts bin for knobs and buttons? Saying all that I bet it’s a hoot drive and I would happily give part of my kidney to return for some pedal time. How did you find the drive with out a front screen? Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

It's beautifully made but you sit very low and can't see any of the corners (and I'm over 6'). It has nine gears and while the automatic mode is great, you want to use the flappy paddles but just can't hear what's going on and it's not always easy to see the number in the middle of the speedo. I just found myself hitting the up paddle until it felt happy to bumble along and going two or three down when I wanted to overtake or put my foot down, which may have happened more often than not. The screen worked fine but rain - for chunks of it everyone else had their wipers on full speed - felt like you were being repeatedly shot. No point wearig a helmet because the drag pulls your head back but a pair of goggles would have been ideal. I loved it, it just could have done with being 6-12" thinner and a six-speed manual would have been perfect. That said, I think Aston expected the majority of these to sit in collections and not be used much, if at all, and considering they made just 88 of them it's a remarkably polished car that drives beautifully. I remember Bugatti saying that the average Veyron buyer had two planes and 30 cars. Aston Martin have a devoted following of extremely rich people who've bought in to the brand so much they'll buy every car they offer. Which is a bit of a shame for the Speedster, I'd drive it everywhere in all conditions.