Are we mad?

chenderson1965

chenderson1965

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Aug 3, 2019
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Nottingham
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62,953
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N+B Arto 79R A Class
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10 years with hires, Newbie owner
We’re thinking of doing a 3 week trip to do the North Coast 500 in August. We live in Nottingham so thinking 3 days to get up and back and a couple of weeks to do the circuit. We know it will be peak season but it’s the only time we can get away for a long enough period due to work.

I’ve read that it gets very busy. Does that mean we have to book sites way in advance? We’re happy to wild camp a fair bit. How easy will it be to find places that aren’t chocca at that time of year?

We can and will research the route generally ourselves - but is there anything else we ought to know specifically about doing it at that time of year (other than the midges)?

Thanks
Chris
 
I genuinely don’t understand why it is that on so many forums and social media people comment on threads when they have nothing to say which is of value. It’s a waste of their time and potentially irritates others. I just don’t get it.

I think my questions are clear and reasonable. Does anyone who has travelled the route in August have information or views that would be helpful to us?

Thanks
Chris

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Obviously not at this early stage ?
 
We've done bits of the NC500 during March and October. As to what it will be like in August. don't know first-hand, but from comments from locals it's busy particularly with rented vans. This, in itself, causes problems as their drivers tend not to understand (or refuse to respect) the "rules of the road" for single track. We've even seen one van apparently overnighting in a passing place!

On both occasions there was a reasonable volume of traffic however did not encounter any major issues with either hold-ups or space availability with the exception of the C&MC site at Dunnet Bay. On speaking to the warden was advised site was, generally, close to full all the time as folk seem to use it for dumping black \ grey, filling fresh and showering. Others use it as a stop-over prior to ferry to Orkney (as we were last time around). They even regularly have "non-residents" trying to use the facilities so much so the gate was closed after 20.00 and opened again at 07.00 however think this may have been discontinued.

When we were there in October there was around 10-12 rented vans on the site every day.
Despite there being "No Overnighting" signs in the car park outside the gate this is ignored on occasions to such an extent I believe the public toilets have been closed. Think the Club used to maintain these but ....

It's a beautiful part of the world (OK maybe we're biased!) as long as you get "peace and quiet" to enjoy without having to be constantly aware of others.
Go ahead and do it but just be aware of this.:xThumb:
 
We set out to do it in September. We also included the Isle of skye and that's where our trip ended. We were battered for 3 days by a storm and when we established contact with the outside world again we learnt that our daughter was having complications with her pregnancy so the trip was aborted and we headed south to Sussex.
We had planned the trip and all our stops were booked in advance (we have to have ehu for the hairdryer!!!)
(granddaughter born 31st. Oct. Both healthy.)
 
We did the nc500 in may as we were worried about the midges and the weather often seems good that time of year. I think your timing will work we did it in less than that from Leicester

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To answer your original question......YES.

Head in the opposite direction and take sunscreen instead of midge spray ?
 
chenderson1965 said:
I genuinely don’t understand why it is that on so many forums and social media people comment on threads when they have nothing to say which is of vaue. It’s a waste of their time and potentially irritates others. I just don’t get it.

I think my questions are clear and reasonable. Does anyone who has travelled the route in August have information or views that would be helpful to us?

Thanks
Chris
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just go do it stop a couple off days in johnagroats area take a trip to orkney islands for a few days
much nicer ,take care on the single track roads.
 
A group of us did it on motorcycles in May. Even then I was amazed at the volume of traffic and how slow the top part across Scotland was on the single track roads. I guess if you have the time it is worth it for the views and scenery but be prepared to keep daily distances down. Hauling a MoHo around is going to be challenging.
I can't comment on places to stay as we used hotels.
Having said all that, I remember the scenery as being some of the finest in Europe. That is except Skye where it howled down and blew a gale all day. Scary on a 'bike! Would I take a MoHo? - the jury is out on that.
If you go, enjoy.
 
will there be any scottish people in scotland in August or will they all be in Blackpool?

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MisterB said:
will there be any scottish people in scotland in August or will they all be in Blackpool?
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Most of them will be back at work/school. They have noticed that the best of a British summer is usually over by August.
 
Pausim said:
Most of them will be back at work/school. They have noticed that the best of a British summer is usually over by August.
Click to expand...
That's when winter starts.
 
We did it five years ago with a 7.40m 'van as part of a bigger Scotland trip before anyone had ever dreamed of the NC500 and it was superb. I'm sure it's a lot busier now but I would think it's still eminently do-able and the scenery will make up for any other frustrations.
As someone else has suggested, it may be an idea to do it the 'wrong way round' i.e. anti-clockwise. You will then finish with the best of the scenery.
 
Beltie said:
We did it five years ago with a 7.40m 'van as part of a bigger Scotland trip before anyone had ever dreamed of the NC500 and it was superb. I'm sure it's a lot busier now but I would think it's still eminently do-able and the scenery will make up for any other frustrations.
As someone else has suggested, it may be an idea to do it the 'wrong way round' i.e. anti-clockwise. You will then finish with the best of the scenery.
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But you may well meet hundreds of motorhomes going round clockwise and spend a lot of time in passing places waiting for yet another one to get past.
 
We took time out on part of the route in May2018. Amazing. But too many people are doing it as a race! Take your time. If you find somewhere good - stay two or three days and enjoy. Stopped for one night at Ullapool ended up staying for four.
Yes we missed lots but “we will be back”

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chenderson1965 said:
I genuinely don’t understand why it is that on so many forums and social media people comment on threads when they have nothing to say which is of value. It’s a waste of their time and potentially irritates others. I just don’t get it.

I think my questions are clear and reasonable. Does anyone who has travelled the route in August have information or views that would be helpful to us?

Thanks
Chris
Click to expand...

My answer is to the point, as I live on the route. Beginning of the year starts with the Dutch then Germans followed by Italians with everyone else and their mother in between.
Don't worry about it just do it.
 
BusyBuilder said:
My answer is to the point, as I live on the route. Beginning of the year starts with the Dutch then Germans followed by Italians with everyone else and their mother in between.
Don't worry about it just do it.
Click to expand...
I seem to recall a particularly fine Dutch cheese shop in Cromarty when I was last that far north. It was rather unexpected, is it still there?
 
Watch out for car clubs, racing around in anything from vintage cars to high end sports cars. We had 4 idiots racing Golf GTI's, Audi and Jags.
The golf overtook us , spun out of control and binned it into a field removing front bumper and putting a post through his wing. He was not amused and his car was probably written off, he was lucky he went right and not left as he left the road as he would be dead instead of bruised. The clubs tend to arrive in summer time. Winter and autumn are great times to do this as you'll get dark skies and fantastic views whilst it will be a little quieter. We wild camp all year round, plenty of places to pitch up for a small donation or free even.
 
Go for it & enjoy yourselves.

Only words of caution I have is that you learn how to use single track roads properly.
Misuse & lack of consideration is the main thing which miffs the local folks.
It can be difficult to avoid travelling in convoy, very few people do this deliberately but, its a bit difficult to dodge as everyone tends to catch up with the slowest vehicle, simply turn off the main drag & have a cuppa & it'll be a lot less stressful.

What I'm trying to explain is this, imagine a string of perhaps 6 motorhome which have caught up due to a very slow moving motorhome or car, then you meet the same coming the other way? It doesn't take a genius to work out how these situations descend into farcical chaos.
If traffic catches up with you, pull in & let them pass, tis easy.
Its not really the fault of the slow or steady driver, they're on holiday just like yourselves & yes its irritating but a simple bit of give & take goes a very long way.

As I've said, just turn off the road for a while & let the traffic settle down, it'll be slow but why be in a hurry with scenery like that to enjoy.

Please take plenty of photo's & show us how your adventure is going & here's hoping you get some decent weather.
 
do it in the spring, good weather normally, no dreaded midges, and not so busy.

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We did it in May 2017. I pre-booked campsites. Dont expect to do much daily mileage and make sure your wipers are in good shape!
 
Did a lot of it in Aug last year. Went up to Aberdeen to see a nephew and overnighted then up to Tain. On to Thurso and Orkney for 5 days then back to the mainland and west then south. Didn't see a lot of traffic now that I think of it. Probably more than at this time of year but if you are coming from Kent you will see more cars in the first 100 miles than you will see for the rest of the trip.
Just do it.
 
Chris chenderson1965 there's a good bit of sensible advice above with regard to staying back from slow traffic, learning the rules of driving on single-track lanes (particularly - don't go onto the verge - not just to protect the verge and the edge of the road, but also because it's often bog), avoiding becoming part of a convoy, taking time out, actually seeing the spectacular landscape etc - living in the slow lane.

I totally agree with Neil Bedwin about the volume of traffic compared with south of the border - but the roads also tend to be narrower, whether single or two-lane, with un-driveable verges, and an awful lot of people not only aren't familiar with the roads they're driving, but also often aren't paying attention - they're on holiday!

But what I really wanted to say is that the huge increase in rented motorhomes is to a large extent made up with foreign drivers - and in consequence there has been an even more huge increase in people driving on the wrong side of the road. Whether urbanites can't conceive of a two-way road being narrow (UK and foreign drivers) or people fall back into their way of driving at home I don't know, but it's really quite scary. Here on Skye there's been a big investment in painting arrows on the carriageways - but it doesn't seem to help! Other areas have signage in English, French, German, Spanish etc.
I don't think it'll be stopped; so we all need to drive with an awareness that on every corner, somebody could be coming straight at us!

Don't feel you have to stick to any 'route', take side-roads, stop for a visit in places not identified in the books, follow your instincts!

And having said all of that - Just Do It - if you like motorhoming, you'll love it: you'll have the most fantastic time, I promise you.
 
I've only done it in April and had brilliant weather and quiet roads.
The single track roads are ok as long as people are sensible. Some passing places are narrow so be careful and don't rush. If you think there is not enough space to pass, get someone out to check.
Hired vehicles are more popular and have inexperienced drivers, so watch out for them.
Two weeks is more than enough to do the whole circuit, but it does depend on how long you want to stay at the different places and the weather will play an important part.
Enjoy it, and take midgie spray for the time of year you are talking about.
 
Hi Chris

Why would you want to do the NC 500. Maybe the 2 pictures in the following may help you decide if you think it is worth it. :unsure:.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Anyone done the NC500?

Fancy visiting the Pre-65 Scotish m/c trial start of May and thought about trying to fit in a tour of top end of Scotland (NC500) .Are there any places to camp en-route in M/H and what is the weather likely to be like (mid April/May ?) No midges at that time of year?
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

The first was from the front of our Van at the campsite in the village mentioned. We found that after the main site at Poolewe was booked up. Tthis was in September and we would certainly go to that campsite again as the following second picture which is the view from the front of our van at the Camping Club site in Altnaharra. I would suggest that if you want to go there that you book it in advance. We also stayed at the Air on the old harbour at Kinlochbervie. Believe they have put the price up a fair bit but a nice spot with Electric.

We did the route clockwise but turned South at Tongue to Altnaharra although we missed out the bit via Applecross.

Hope the pics help you decide to Go. :xrofl::xrofl:

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