NC 500 info

[BusyBuilder]

Just a note for anyone thinking of coming up to the Highlands.

The roads around the Highlands which includes the NC500 are in use 12 months of the year by the locals who actually live up here.

Midges are out in force June July August.

So in answer to those who keep asking yes you can drive the NC500 or any other roads.

 

[Southdowners]

We intend to come up to the highlands in a month or so. We won’t be sticking to the N500 though. Just out of interest.... How do you all cope with the midges? Do you build up an immunity to their bites when you live with them?

 

[robnchris]

I always thought that the midges weren`t a problem on the east coast just the west, is this truth or just a fable?

 

[WillH]

The East is generally much better, up in Sutherland and Caithness they are endemic, as they are on the West coast. Last year was really not bad for midges.

 

[Bobby22]

Midges like hot humid conditions, they don't like breezes and they don't like direct sunshine. The east coast doesn't get much of a problem mainly due to the wonderful sunshine and gentle breeze theyget in the summer.

Midges are not going to spoil any tour of the NC500

We were in Cromarty for the Gala Week in July and never came across a midge.

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[nabsim]

I had my worst ever midge bites when we stopped in a field just outside Inverness. Had been drizzling when we arrived so as soon as it stopped I went out the caravan to put the awning up.

A break came in the cloud and I instantly turned black, was like something from a horror film and felt like thousands of pin pricks. Sun hit me and they vanished again, bites everywhere. I do seem to be tasty to midges but never had anything like that anywhere else thankfully

 

[Dan and Jan]

Living on the East Coast in Fife, we never see midges. Our local Loch is packed in summer with boating types and walkers. Everyone heads north to the NC500 missing out the great beaches and hills in Fife.
They have just started to let Motorhomes stay overnight for a £10. Chemical waste and water, limited showers.
If you are going to do the NC500 get a midge net of stay in doors like the locals.

 

[emo]

View attachment 215601 Living on the East Coast in Fife, we never see midges. Our local Loch is packed in summer with boating types and walkers. Everyone heads north to the NC500 missing out the great beaches and hills in Fife.
They have just started to let Motorhomes stay overnight for a £10. Chemical waste and water, limited showers.
If you are going to do the NC500 get a midge net of stay in doors like the locals.

Looks good ,one of the areas we plan to come up to.

 

[WillH]

Which loch is in the picture? We have cycled round Loch Leven before, fabulous location.

 

[Dan and Jan]

Which loch is in the picture? We have cycled round Loch Leven before, fabulous location.

Lochore Meadows. Plenty of off road cycling different grades or just easy stuff.

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[obanvanman]

GlenCoe in July.

Midges welcoming our German cousins.

 

[moggyg]

If your from the east, the West midgies will eat you and if your from the west the east midgies will eat you,.... and if your English?

Your lunch!

Ciao

 

[WillH]

Many thanks, looks good, will check it out in the spring.

 

[Bobby22]

View attachment 215620
Lochore Meadows. Plenty of off road cycling different grades or just easy stuff.

Is that where they do the power boating and high speed water skiing?

 

[Dan and Jan]

Is that where they do the power boating and high speed water skiing?

Not as yet, it’s still a bird sanctuary. They have a few jet skis and St Andrews Uni base their 8 man rowing boats there.
In Summer they have Rockore which is a concert of music. Highland games and all manner of events.

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[Bobby22]

Not as yet, it’s still a bird sanctuary. They have a few jet skis and St Andrews Uni base their 8 man rowing boats there.
In Summer they have Rockore which is a concert of music. Highland games and all manner of events.

Town loch Dunfermline is what i was thinking of.

 

[nabsim]

Have been based near Blairgowrie and around Bridge of Cally a few times and lots to see over that side. Probably need ski’s fitted at the moment though

 

[dawolf]

We intend to come up to the highlands in a month or so. We won’t be sticking to the N500 though. Just out of interest.... How do you all cope with the midges? Do you build up an immunity to their bites when you live with them?

you do not get midges,when there is a slight breeze,i live 5 miles from john o groats,midges are not there all the time,and not an issue on the east coast,its almost always breezy on the west and east coast,so they are exagerated ,a lot by people who get calm weather when touring.

 

[dawolf]

View attachment 215601 Living on the East Coast in Fife, we never see midges. Our local Loch is packed in summer with boating types and walkers. Everyone heads north to the NC500 missing out the great beaches and hills in Fife.
They have just started to let Motorhomes stay overnight for a £10. Chemical waste and water, limited showers.
If you are going to do the NC500 get a midge net of stay in doors like the locals.

what a load of rubbish,are you trying to promote fife,compared to the beaches of north east scotland,fife is full of pollution,we have the best beaches in the world,the beach in sinclair bay caithness.has just been voted the 9th most beautiful beach in the world.dont think you have done the north coast 500,or you would not compare.fife with beautiful places.ps we do not get midges in the east coast,

 

[42208]

I see Roome Bay and Ruby Bay, both in Fife, were classified as two of the best 10 beaches in Scotland so cannot be all bad.

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[Dan and Jan]

what a load of rubbish,are you trying to promote fife,compared to the beaches of north east scotland,fife is full of pollution,we have the best beaches in the world,the beach in sinclair bay caithness.has just been voted the 9th most beautiful beach in the world.dont think you have done the north coast 500,or you would not compare.fife with beautiful places.ps we do not get midges in the east coast,

I remember when the NC500 used to be just a road, it didn’t need a fancy name. I used to live in Lossiemouth and lived for a few years in the Outer Hebrides, regularly touring through the Highlands.
The reason I now promote Fife is the beaches are so easy to get to and the infrastructure down here is more able to sustain visitor numbers.
Doing the NC500 these days is more dodging Italian MHs then enjoying the scenery, and yes we don’t get wind and midges. Win Win.

 

[Bobby22]

what a load of rubbish,are you trying to promote fife,compared to the beaches of north east scotland,fife is full of pollution,we have the best beaches in the world,the beach in sinclair bay caithness.has just been voted the 9th most beautiful beach in the world.dont think you have done the north coast 500,or you would not compare.fife with beautiful places.ps we do not get midges in the east coast,

You are obviously new to this site, i don't see anywhere in the quoted post that is being compaired to anywhere else.
Many people reading this thread head from down south, and from further afield. In my opinion the information in it is invaluable to the reader and gives the reader more info for their tour, if coming to Scotland.

People don't just materialise in Inverness to do the NC500.

Would it not be a nicer and more FUN way to have promoted your area than pour scorn on another.

Just saying.

 

[Wardleyweb]

Hi, we are hoping to do NC500 early AUG , does anyone having any tips as to the best places to stay, and best places to see, also can you get fuel ok? Any other info would be greatly appreciated thanks..Dave

 

[Bobby22]

Hi, we are hoping to do NC500 early AUG , does anyone having any tips as to the best places to stay, and best places to see, also can you get fuel ok? Any other info would be greatly appreciated thanks..Dave

Fuel is easy to come by but i would fill up in the major towns before setting off.
Card payment systems are open 24 hrs at Tain Asda and at Durness Gleaner.
Inverness morrisons.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Best advice is don't let your tank get below 50%. Also try Skye if you have the time.

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[bigtwin]

Best advice is don't let your tank get below 50%. Also try Skye if you have the time.

Hmm, fearful of of not coming across a fuel station for more than 150 miles. It’s Scotland not the Australian outback!

The bike in my avatar has a fuel tank range of 110 miles. I’ve never come close to running out of fuel on numerous NC500 type trips to the north and west coasts of Scotland.

Ian

 

[BusyBuilder]

Agree, but some may not be open, especially on a Sunday.

 

[Wardleyweb]

does anyone know of places to refill my gaslow bottles on route

 

[BusyBuilder]

Use FillLPG on your phone.

 

[kelpie]

View attachment 215601 Living on the East Coast in Fife, we never see midges. Our local Loch is packed in summer with boating types and walkers. Everyone heads north to the NC500 missing out the great beaches and hills in Fife.
They have just started to let Motorhomes stay overnight for a £10. Chemical waste and water, limited showers.
If you are going to do the NC500 get a midge net of stay in doors like the locals.

Have uses Tayview site at Monifeith a couple of times and love it . We're going to that are for a week shortly , where is the loch , and is the chargeable bit open now?
Thanks in advance.
John