North coast 500 (1 Viewer)

Melvin

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We are planning to do this starting mid February , we don't have anytime restriction , I've found www.northcaost500.com which is very helpfull .From what I have read there seems to be a differing of opinion as to which is the best way, clockwise or anti-clockwise .I would like your views on this and any other relevant tips, as I always value personal views as much as published info.
 

Vanman

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Always plan your journey to head off in a westerly direction, when you can, to avoid driving into the sun every morning (y) :)
 
Feb 24, 2013
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end on the west coast every time, save the best till last, or even miss of the north east bit completely, it was one of my few disappointments with Scottish scenery, the last bit up to John o Groats and the north coast back to Dounray, I would now spend more time on the west coast :)(y)

but some bits of the east are equally surprising in their beauty, far more sand than I ever expected :)(y)

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hilldweller

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which is the best way, clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Well it'd only 500 miles, nothing to a FUNster. Do it one way, turn round and do it the other way. I've noticed over the years how different a route can be from each direction.

Mid Feb. That is winter up there. At least the midges can't fly in their raincoats.
 
Jun 25, 2013
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Mid Feb? Stunning scenery but maybe a few roads closed i.e. Pass of the cattle, a road not to be missed ! As mentioned west coast , once seen never forgotten , and the urge to return year after year . I plan a quick 4 weeks to Scotland from Southampton then back for a week then off to Scandinavia for 6 weeks .

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DJA

Mar 5, 2011
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Hi Melvin

We did part of the NC500 last September. There does seem to be a consensus that the Eastern part of the route is nowhere near as attractive as the Western part which is the part we had a look at.

We did not start at Inverness but starting from Killin went West towards Oban. Then worked our way North towards Fort William. We continued further North to Invergarry where we turned West again towards Skye. Travelling vIa Stromferry we turned right at the T junction with the A896 onto the NC500 and missed out the Applecross section. Travelling via Kinglochewe and Gairloch we worked our way to Ullapool staying at Ardmair. From there we worked outr way North stopping at the new Aire on the old harbour at Kinlochbervie which we really lked. Then Via Durness and Tongue where we turned South and stopped at Altnaharra campsite which may not be open early enough for you. From there we returned South missing a lot of the Eastern Section. The scenery is marvellous and involves many miles of A class single track roads which we had no problem with. One thing to note is that when we passed through Durness and Tongue both fuels stations were out of fuel so always keep yourself topped up in anticipation of possible problems.

If you have TV catchup I would suggest you download last Thursdays addition of Landward broadcast on BBC2 at 1.55pm 2/2 as you see some of the NC500 in particular the bit including Applecross. Gives you a taste but let me assure you the route we took did not have the hairpin bends of the Applecross section which some on here have travelled.

If you would like details of the places we stopped at then PM me.

Doug
 
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Melvin wrote,We are planning to do this starting mid February !!

Watch the weather forecast as they often get it very badly wrong !! it can change very very quickly.
That been said the forecast for the coming three weeks is supposed to be -15c and snow !! if possible do no drive in the dark as black ice forms very quickly when the suns goes down.
Take the right precautions , have Propane gas and you will be fine.
Come and enjoy
 

CWH

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Ref Durness, pop into the John Lennon memorial garden , bizarre to think John Lennon as a youngster went up there to visit family , I mean back in those days it must have seamed like the end of universe ?? And yes I can remember visiting Durness many years ago arriving around 2pm sat afternoon and seeing two German motorbikes by the fuel pumps looking confused then asking me are they closed ??? 'Yes till Monday morning '!!!! I told them . But now I was there last year pumps are open for credit cards 24/7 AND there is a power point for electric cars !!!! How times have changed !
 
Feb 9, 2008
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Your trip will be very much weather dependent, the North West is about to get hammered as I type this.
 
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Melvin

Melvin

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First of all, thanks for the replies ,I must admit to having a craft moment in my original post ,I said February but I should have said mid March:whistle:
C R A F T. Can't remember a fxxxing thing.

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Oct 5, 2012
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Always plan your journey to head off in a westerly direction, when you can, to avoid driving into the sun every morning (y) :)
Lol...... sun, in northern Scotland, in march:Eeek: bloody southerners.:moon2:
 
Nov 30, 2009
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We did the NC500 last September here's a link to our trip , we posted on Fun.
http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/north-coast-500-with-whisky-detour.138281/
We saw lots , ate lots and drank lots !!
Stopping somewhere new every night. But we will need to do it again to see all the bits we had to miss , due to only having 3 weeks to do it in.
What ever you do don't just drive it.
Many do.
We spoke to landlords and restauranteurs who said they'd had some guests that have did the official NC500 route in well under a week. Just to say they've done it.

Take time and do a bit of research on the route.
There's so much to see , that you don't , when whizzing by . The East coast has a lot on offer too , even if it doesn't have as much spectacular scenery etc.
Most of all enjoy it.
We did , and can't wait to go back up to do the bits we didn't have time to enjoy .

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DJA

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I can't imagine why you would want to go to the North of Scotland!!!

The first is the view from the van whilst at Mellon Udrigle, Apparently we missed a better view the night before.
The other photo's were taken within 10yrds of the van at the Altnaharra campsite.

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Sep 21, 2007
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I can't imagine why you would want to go to the North of Scotland!!!

The first is the view from the van whilst at Mellon Udrigle, Apparently we missed a better view the night before.
The other photo's were taken within 10yrds of the van at the Altnaharra campsite.

View attachment 147132 View attachment 147131 View attachment 147130
Lovely Campsites indeed. Been to both of those.๐Ÿ‘ Used to go to Altnaharra every year and have paddled up and down that Loch a few times.๐Ÿ˜Ž Wonโ€™t let us on there now as over 8.5m๐Ÿ˜ฉ Well, our last van was too but told a little porkie๐Ÿ˜Š Only club site we have ever stayed at, and in a beautiful area of North Scotland.๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ‘

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Oct 9, 2019
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Lovely Campsites indeed. Been to both of those.๐Ÿ‘ Used to go to Altnaharra every year and have paddled up and down that Loch a few times.๐Ÿ˜Ž Wonโ€™t let us on there now as over 8.5m๐Ÿ˜ฉ Well, our last van was too but told a little porkie๐Ÿ˜Š Only club site we have ever stayed at, and in a beautiful area of North Scotland.๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ‘
Wow, congratulations, youโ€™ve resurrected a 5 year old thread , agreed sites brilliant ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
 

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