Off to do the NC250

[Baileysbus]

We've got a few days spare so we're going to throw supplies in the Moho in the morning and head off to do the top half of the NC500
Weather forecast looks relatively better than elsewhere so planning to go a little off piste and head for Balintore then up to Inver then across the top staying at KLB then down to Ullapool and back. Probably detour into Lochinver and other places and we'll see how it goes ....... back later next week
Will post a few pics as we go if you're not too bored with photos of the far North by now

 

[Teuchter]

We've got a few days spare so we're going to throw supplies in the Moho in the morning and head off to do the top half of the NC500
Weather forecast looks relatively better than elsewhere so planning to go a little off piste and head for Balintore then up to Inver then across the top staying at KLB then down to Ullapool and back. Probably detour into Lochinver and other places and we'll see how it goes ....... back later next week
Will post a few pics as we go if you're not too bored with photos of the far North by now

You MUST visit Portmahomack as well as Balintore & Inver - it is by far the prettier of the three Villages on the Tarbatness peninsula!!

 

[Baileysbus]

Yes Portmahomack is a cracking village and there's a great restaurant there too http://www.the-oystercatcher.co.uk/. Probably won't stop there this time as SWMBO has family memories of Balintore and hasn't been there in years so we'll stay over there but if we have time we'll do a drive through Portmahomack and Tain too ....... and Dornoch ...... phew So many places so little time

 

[Baileysbus]

So we're off and made it to Balintore. On the way up the A9 we stopped at House of Bruar for a wallet emptying session

They've got everything there now including a fish and chip emporium so have all bases covered!

Then we stopped off at the former TIC at Daviot wood before the big hill down into inverness. There's ample parking and no problem overnighting so far as I can see
Only useful if you're heading north though cos you can't access it easily from the south.

Now up at the Balintore Inn overnighting. Hound having a well earned bowl of water and we're having a wee beverage Sun is shining. All's well with the world.

Catch you all tomorrow

 

[Rosemary1]

We have recently come back from top of Scotland and also called in the House of Bruar - fabulous things for sale there but the prices were a bit eye watering

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[TheCaller]

OH said "Oh look, there's the House of Bruar" as we went past.

I just said "Oh yes" & kept driving.

Occasionally, very occasionally, being the only driver has it's compensations.

 

[Paul an Jane MK]

Watching with interest as we are planning a trip up that way in Sept. loving the pics as well.

Have a good trip.

 

[Teuchter]

Yes Portmahomack is a cracking village and there's a great restaurant there too http://www.the-oystercatcher.co.uk/. Probably won't stop there this time as SWMBO has family memories of Balintore and hasn't been there in years so we'll stay over there but if we have time we'll do a drive through Portmahomack and Tain too ....... and Dornoch ...... phew So many places so little time

I know Portmahomack well - I was born & brought up there - going there next week for a few days before we once again "do" the West Coast!

 

[Baileysbus]

Had a good overnight and set off this morning headed up through Tain and back onto the A9. Intended to stop at the Coffee Bothy in the square in Golspie, which I know is good and there's handy public loos there - but the bothy was closed for the day
Undaunted, we headed up past Dunrobin and stopped at Helmsdale at the informal "aire" down by the harbour.

Had a wander round Helmsdale and up the riverside a wee bit then a quick coffee at the Timespan visitor centre. Weather had definitely improved at that point

SWMBO hadn't been up to John O'Groats before so we headed up the coast and through Wick ....... which has improved a tad since I was last through now having a couple of decent supermarkets and cheap(ish) fuel if you need it. JoG hasn't changed that much despite the squillions spent there in recent years. Obligatory photo and ice creams were had

Now parked up at the CC site at Dunnet Bay so we can use the facilities and top up/empty before we start to head west for the "real" bit of the trip ....... aiming for KLB aire tomorrow night

 

[Teuchter]

Nice one!! - have a great trip - we set off on Thursday from Home (Hampshire) to - Tebay, Oban, Mull Ardnamurchan, Mallaig, Sky, Ullapool, Lochinver, Durness, Altnahara, Portmahomack, Tebay then home well that's the rough plan - we shall see how things pan out!

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[Baileysbus]

Cracking run over to KLB even though the weather was a bit dreich but it's cleared up now. More about the KLB aire in a mo.
A few pics of the way over starting with a look up the Kyle of Tongue complete with random fisherman ........ wish I'd packed the rods!

Cruised round Loch Eriboll which again was pretty spectacular and then found a fabulous wee beach just east of Sangobeg. Definitely worth the stop over in fact it's a must do beach

I went all geological for a while ....... it's worth going over to the rocks on the far side. There's also a zip wire going over the beach for the keen types.

Stopped in at Balnakeil just past Durness and went into Cocoa Mountain for a hot chocolate and some "samples". The "village" looks a bit tatty in parts but there's a ceramics place an print shop with some nice stuff.

Now down at the KLB aire. Ticket £15 from the SPAR shop which is down by the fish harbour and right about 100 yds. Guess we could have just wild camped but I figured if the council have allowed an aire, might as well use it
There's electric and water and a place to dump rubbish and a decent view too

3 wifi working and tv reception as well. All's good for the night. Ullapool tomorrow via Lochinver

 

[The general]

Cracking run over to KLB even though the weather was a bit dreich but it's cleared up now. More about the KLB aire in a mo.
A few pics of the way over starting with a look up the Kyle of Tongue complete with random fisherman ........ wish I'd packed the rods!

Cruised round Loch Eriboll which again was pretty spectacular and then found a fabulous wee beach just east of Sangobeg. Definitely worth the stop over in fact it's a must do beach

I went all geological for a while ....... it's worth going over to the rocks on the far side. There's also a zip wire going over the beach for the keen types.

 

[The general]

Reference that zip wire at sandgo beach is it up and running with screaming public , I was up there earlier on in the year and was shocked that they could ruin such a good view ? At the moment I am in Finland enjoying the Nordic way of life 5 more weeks thru Sweden , Denmark a 7 week road trip from the start , the Russian border

 

[Baileysbus]

Reference that zip wire at sandgo beach is it up and running with screaming public , I was up there earlier on in the year and was shocked that they could ruin such a good view ? At the moment I am in Finland enjoying the Nordic way of life 5 more weeks thru Sweden , Denmark a 7 week road trip from the start , the Russian border View attachment 176163

There were about half a dozen folk went over it while we were there. Quietly actually and as we were at the other end of the beach and didn't hear most of it. I know what you mean though. Does rather spoil a fine view.

 

[Baileysbus]

The "aire" at KLB is community owned ....... I stand corrected. There's also a chemical waste dump as well

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[The general]

Oh if more communities took up this offer, Scotland is such a great country I mean wildcamping accepted, so you could mix and match one nite wild it next pay reasonable fee , especially if you don't need the full site amenities . It averages out . Nice site at shieldag , community run , deffo need more of them , do any funsters know of anymore north of the border just run by the community with basic facilities ?

 

[Baileysbus]

Oh if more communities took up this offer, Scotland is such a great country I mean wildcamping accepted, so you could mix and match one nite wild it next pay reasonable fee , especially if you don't need the full site amenities . It averages out . Nice site at shieldag , community run , deffo need more of them , do any funsters know of anymore north of the border just run by the community with basic facilities ?

Good tip on Shieldaig there @The general I agree about mixing up the wild camping with community run facilities. Years ago, I used to work up in this part of the world and I know how hard it is for folk up here to make a coin, so I've no problem supporting an initiative like this All power to them

 

[Baileysbus]

Time for a catch up while I've got wifi back
So one day at a time then. Yesterday was brilliant. We left KLB in reasonably gloomy weather and headed south to visit Lochinver. Here's a wee stopover looking out at the Kylesku bridge.

Main purpose of the visit to Lochinver was to head in to "the pie shop" ....... well it had to be done.

I can highly recommend the savoury lamb pie

Suitably "topped up" we headed towards Ullapool stopping at Ardbreck Castle ....... or the ruins of...... to let hound out for a walk/charge about/ swim

By the time we got near Ullapool, the weather brightened up and cos we knew the forecast for Wednesday was crap, we pressed on through, down past Inverewe, Loch Maree, Torridon to stop over at Shieldaig ( thanks @The general)
Fabulous views of Ben Eighe, Liathach and Ben Alligan

The "aire" at Shieldaig is run by the local crofters. No facilities as such other than somewhere to dump rubbish but great location and a donation tin at the gate. Short walk down to the village where there's a great pub with views to die for

What's not to like

 

[The general]

Now I am in pyhäsalmi Finland , catching up on funsters and those photos of Scotland are top dollar you got everything there the rain , gloom, and bright clear skies. Now kylesku bridge that area is where they train the X subs in WW2 keep the photos coming I can't wait to get back up there !

 

[The general]

Don't forget to do pass of the cattle wild camp at the top ! Old transit Russian style !

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[Baileysbus]

And now to today, Wednesday......... as per weather forecast it's peeing down so we headed off towards Lochcarron and decided to cut out the Bealach ........ 41 miles vs 13......and we would have seen nowt with the mist. Still an interesting road despite that just take your time and use the passing places. In Lochcarron we stopped here for a top up

Seemed popular with folk heading up the Bealach and needing a BIG breakfast

Had a wee walk after and noticed where the locals hung their washing out on a blowy day

Headed east towards Achnasheen and as we passed the road end towards Kyle I got out before a tugger and about 8 assorted cars and vans in convoy Said tugger then decided to tail onto me in and out of the passing places until he got stuck and nothing could get through! I stopped at the next passing place and politely suggested he keeps at least one passing place behind me ....... that way we'll all get on better!
Headed for Cromarty as the forecast was better east so parked up overlooking the Sutors. It was still raining but we headed for here......

Highly recommended if you're in the village. Lots to do and see there but we needed to empty/fill and shower so are now over at the CCC site at Rosemarkie for the night

 

[The general]

My apologies didn't catch 2nd page , yes the bealach can be grim in bad weather , I was once up there when I couldn't even open the door because of high winds !

 

[Rapido666F]

Gosh, you've gone round faster than me and I thought I was going too quickly!

Not too sure about your title: it seems you must have done close on 500 miles (certainly wouldn't want to be "walking 500" if you think that is 250!)

Seems like a good trip - Gordon

 

[The general]

Gosh, you've gone round faster than me and I thought I was going too quickly!

Not too sure about your title: it seems you must have done close on 500 miles (certainly wouldn't want to be "walking 500" if you think that is 250!)

Seems like a good trip - Gordon

My thoughts exactly to get to Cromarty , ! When I visited I couldn't get over that ferry, one vehicle? There were 3 waiting !

 

[Baileysbus]

Gosh, you've gone round faster than me and I thought I was going too quickly!

Not too sure about your title: it seems you must have done close on 500 miles (certainly wouldn't want to be "walking 500" if you think that is 250!)

Seems like a good trip - Gordon

I think you're probably right! We hadn't intended going right round but kind of did in the end
No matter ......, we're now off for a wander up to the Anderson in Fortrose for Belgian beers and excellent drams

Will post a pic when I'm back

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[Baileysbus]

A pint in the Anderson and back to the Moho. Off down the A9 and home tomorrow. Great trip

 

[The general]

Thax for the photos

 

[Baileysbus]

@The general . You're welcome

 

[The general]

Off top of my head is that last photo looking towards Ullapool? Think I will take a slow drive back to Calais !

 

[Baileysbus]

View attachment 176760 Off top of my head is that last photo looking towards Ullapool? Think I will take a slow drive back to Calais !

It's taken from above Corrieshallach Gorge looking up Loch Broom towards, as you say, Ullapool. Spot on @The general

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