Thinking of doing the NC500
- Thread starter MJI
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I did this last year, but I used a campervan !
We took a week but you could easily take two weeks to see everything / go everywhere.
The best time would be end of May beginning of June as this is usually a dry spell for the West Highlands and there is a bonus of few midges !
Plenty of good campsites or you can " wild camp" as long as you leave no mess after you which is the bugbear of locals.
Don't worry about breaking down as garages in the area will recover you if required, just don't break down in an area with no phone signal which there are plenty and forget about Wi-Fi as 2G is the norm.
We took a week but you could easily take two weeks to see everything / go everywhere.
The best time would be end of May beginning of June as this is usually a dry spell for the West Highlands and there is a bonus of few midges !
Plenty of good campsites or you can " wild camp" as long as you leave no mess after you which is the bugbear of locals.
Don't worry about breaking down as garages in the area will recover you if required, just don't break down in an area with no phone signal which there are plenty and forget about Wi-Fi as 2G is the norm.
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What are you waiting for? Just do it!
Scotland is a stunning place. I do live North of The Wall and I'm of largely Scottish decent, but that's not a biased view. The North West is like a different world that doesn't seem to match this country. The Mrs and I did it 30+ years ago in a Renault 5 with a 2 man ridge tent and our border collie, Josh. A day's tour of Orkney is a MUST! I remember standing at John O'Groats with an amazing sensation of being at the top of the world. Similarly on the cliff tops at Cape Wrath. We were lucky with a fortnight of glorious weather, the sort that withers the midge, so we were lucky in that way. (Galladog has given you the top tip, way above any automotive one, never underestimate the power of the midge) I remember everyone had the edges of their tents weighed down at the Cape Wrath site
was calm when we were there though. As you drive down the North west coast the sea in the coves is tropical turqouise in colour, reflecting the shells from creatures brought in on the North Atlantic drift. That's how I remember it, but then again! I was incredibly, incredibly drunk 
Rank Amatuer
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The NC500 is a stunning route but the local infrastructure isn’t up to its increasing popularity. The roads are taking a hammering with axle crunching drop-offs at the verges. A’holes keep using the passing places on single track roads as picnic stops, toilet stops and overnight campsites. Wherever you stop, watch where you put your feet; human **** is worse than dog**** on the floor mats. Watch out for bikers and sheep.
Go by all means, but please be considerate. Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.
Go by all means, but please be considerate. Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.
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Shame. Sounds like we were lucky to tour the Scottish coast when we did.
payydg
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Feb, March and April are by FAR the best months in Scotland. You have to off set the inevitable cold and some snow with generally settled weather, no tourists and mountains which are even more breath taking With a bit of a snowy dusting. Some places are closed how ever.
NC500 is a route that takes in some excellent places but it’s as much a tourism buzz word than anything else. Go and make up your own route. Some of my fav places in that part of Scotland aren’t on the NC500
NC500 is a route that takes in some excellent places but it’s as much a tourism buzz word than anything else. Go and make up your own route. Some of my fav places in that part of Scotland aren’t on the NC500
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Well said that man, there's much more to see here rather than just the NC500.
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Like the rest and be thankful?
Oh aye he better take his landy wiv his winch to pull him through the landsides
I quite often take the evo a blast along the back road to Arrochar the up the rest
slow down for the traffic police sitting on the right going doon the other side
then again at the Dunoon turn off.
Lovely wee hotel at Loch Eck, they do a nice steak pie. Right on the waters edge with the hills all around & a wee bit of trout fishing if you catch anything he will cook it for ye.
Although the steak pie isnt as good as Ardlui if he were to go down the Lomond banks.
Might go tomorrow thinking about it.
Marmaduke
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You lucky bugger, I can't even go on a trip to SwadlincoteOh aye he better take his landy wiv his winch to pull him through the landsides
I quite often take the evo a blast along the back road to Arrochar the up the rest
slow down for the traffic police sitting on the right going doon the other side
then again at the Dunoon turn off.
Lovely wee hotel at Loch Eck, they do a nice steak pie. Right on the waters edge with the hills all around & a wee bit of trout fishing if you catch anything he will cook it for ye.
Although the steak pie isnt as good as Ardlui if he were to go down the Lomond banks.
Might go tomorrow thinking about it.
Rank Amatuer
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"Lovely wee hotel at Loch Eck, they do a nice steak pie."
They also do the best Cullen Skink I've ever tasted.
They also do the best Cullen Skink I've ever tasted.
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As above : Go off season. Take only photographs. Leave only footprints ( and a generous tip for the recovery personnel)
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You lucky bugger, I can't even go on a trip to Swadlincote
That's a shame are you on lockdown
Oh now yer talking il get some the next time im passing.
Marmaduke
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Been on holiday to espanyol, mustn't grumble really I've got two weeks paid leaveThat's a shame are you on lockdown
Oh now yer talking il get some the next time im passing.
but I can't leave the house
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Been on holiday to espanyol, mustn't grumble really I've got two weeks paid leave
Ah I see your tan will have faded by the time you leave the hoose lol
Think il go out in the boat for an hour, See ya ..
Marmaduke
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Has it rained that much up there?Ah I see your tan will have faded by the time you leave the hoose lol
Think il go out in the boat for an hour, See ya ..
Marmaduke
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And my bikini hair will have grown back anorlAh I see your tan will have faded by the time you leave the hoose lol
Think il go out in the boat for an hour, See ya ..
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Haha that's hilarious
Marmaduke
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