Once all of this is over, probably next Summer to be fair, I'm looking at driving the NC500.
Starting at Inverness, taking 7 - 10 days and driving the coastal routes back to Inverness.
Has anyone done this before? Any tips? Good places to stay? I'm looking at seeing wildlife, exploring on foot, and generally just losing myself in Scotland. |
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By *hav02Man
over a year ago
Glasgow/London |
i have been to Inverness and explored locally, but NC500 is on my to do list too 
Some Places i have favourited:
cawdor castle,
fort George (can see dolphins)
Merkinch nature reserve (wildlife)
Chanonry point
Mermaid of the North
Dunrobin castle
Quinag
Loch assynt/ardvreck castle
Suilven
.
I'll be bookmarking this for additional ideas  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Once all of this is over, probably next Summer to be fair, I'm looking at driving the NC500.
Starting at Inverness, taking 7 - 10 days and driving the coastal routes back to Inverness.
Has anyone done this before? Any tips? Good places to stay? I'm looking at seeing wildlife, exploring on foot, and generally just losing myself in Scotland."
Many times I find doing it West to East the best way, though have dome it both ways, John ogroates perfect place to see wildlife and great tours off the coast. Often there is a pod of ocras up between Thurso and john o groats, Gairloch is a beautiful place to stop with amazing views have fun planning brilliant route with lovely places to stop for eating all along the route.. |
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I have done the NC on 2 and 4 wheels and it's definitely something that should be on your bucket list. If your not camping (I have done it but not for me these days) Book your B&B's well in advance though as the good ones fill up early. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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We will be looking to do this on 2 wheels as soon as we can. Looking for specific motorbike tips, especially motorbike friendly and secure places to stay. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I was planning on doing it this year as well. But c19 has put paid to that but depending when this is all over might still be able to get it in x weather is a big factor in weather or not camping or finding accommodation so the longer this goes on the less likely I'll be doing it most likely as the plan was to camp |
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There are a lot of Airbnb and wigwam accomodation now in Caithness and there is a new Premier Inn getting built in Thurso,it wont be ready now for this year hopefully next year.
Stay safe everyone |
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We were going to do it last year but left it too late in booking accommodation. It was booked this year but the vius has scuppered that. Looks like next year now but planning to do it in a motor home so it's a bit more flexible and we can go at our own pace. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I did the full thing years ago before it was the nc500 .. last 2 years I’ve stuck to the west coast part as it’s the best scenery as far as I’m concerned.. Durness is lovely I’ve based myself in Ullapool twice as there’s lots of choice for accommodation and places to eat .. would add in Skye if you get a chance as it’s beautiful.. you do need to book your accommodation in advance though .. highly recommended |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have a camper the best way to do the route, hire them don't go too big though as roads can get narrow at points but an awesome drive, à per gives you the freedom to go where and when you want with. O restrictions |
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Please just nake sure you know how to drive single track roads before heading North.
I must it's an absolute pleasure driving (for work purposes) in the North and Northwest at the moment compared to previous years.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Please just nake sure you know how to drive single track roads before heading North.
I must it's an absolute pleasure driving (for work purposes) in the North and Northwest at the moment compared to previous years.
"
It’s a huge issue. Eejits driving them like it’s the motorway. Then struggle to reverse to nearest passing place so just chew up the verges instead.
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By *DW1983Man
over a year ago
Peterborough, Aberdeen, Leeds, Sheffield |
I did the route in late 2018, I'd been saying I wanted to for ages but never had time. I ended up doing Aberdeen - Inverness, then up the east coast, back down the west and back across to Inverness/Aberdeen in 3 days, which left not a lot of time for stopping off other than for food and a couple of sights such as Smoo Caves. The weather was abysmal though, low mist or heavy rain for lots of it, although that did kind of add to the atmosphere in a way.
Took a friend, we listened to good driving music, ate lots of cakes, scones and other delicacies at various cafés and had a good time. But then, I'm a passionate (and professional) driver, so it was as much about the drive as the places for me.
On the way back, a tred blew down right in front of us. Me and half a dozen other car drivers got stuck in to break off branches and drag it as best we could to clear enough room to get past ... while the HGV driver who was the fourth vehicle to arrive sat in his cab and watched
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"Stayed up that way for a week, fabby.
Durness & Smoo cave.
Lochinver Larder and their pie selection...
"
In my personal opinion, it's over priced.
Far nicer and much cheaper pies (and bridies and sausage rolls) in the Lochinver butcher just along the road. |
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"Please just nake sure you know how to drive single track roads before heading North.
I must it's an absolute pleasure driving (for work purposes) in the North and Northwest at the moment compared to previous years.
It’s a huge issue. Eejits driving them like it’s the motorway. Then struggle to reverse to nearest passing place so just chew up the verges instead.
"
Tried to message you about this but apparently I'm now too old! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Stayed up that way for a week, fabby.
Durness & Smoo cave.
Lochinver Larder and their pie selection...
In my personal opinion, it's over priced.
Far nicer and much cheaper pies (and bridies and sausage rolls) in the Lochinver butcher just along the road."
My last trip there was disappointing. The pies were dry and lacked filling of taste. |
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"Stayed up that way for a week, fabby.
Durness & Smoo cave.
Lochinver Larder and their pie selection...
In my personal opinion, it's over priced.
Far nicer and much cheaper pies (and bridies and sausage rolls) in the Lochinver butcher just along the road.
My last trip there was disappointing. The pies were dry and lacked filling of taste."
I'll give you a tasty filling once this is over! |
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Thanks everyone for the input, both here and in PM.
I'll be honest and say I'm not that used to driving on single track roads, but there are a few in this area, so before then I'll get some practise in. I'm not a speed demon anyway, and I'm just there for the meamble.
I'm thinking a couple of nights in Inverness on the way back and visiting Loch Ness, got to try and spot the monster! And maybe a couple of days so I can visit Sky.
I'm thinking either May or September. |
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"Thanks everyone for the input, both here and in PM.
I'll be honest and say I'm not that used to driving on single track roads, but there are a few in this area, so before then I'll get some practise in. I'm not a speed demon anyway, and I'm just there for the meamble.
I'm thinking a couple of nights in Inverness on the way back and visiting Loch Ness, got to try and spot the monster! And maybe a couple of days so I can visit Sky.
I'm thinking either May or September."
Less midges in May |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Less about speed but awareness of others.
Don't look two foot infront of the bonnet look as far ahead as possible. Something coming or a queue that won't all fit in a passing place time for you to pull into one. Same goes for queues behind, let them pass where possible (put the indicator on so they know you're stopped in passing places)
Common sense goes a long way and makes for a more enjoyable trip  |
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By *ASCOTMan
over a year ago
inverness |
I live on the route, some days its great and others its mental, the main issue is folk not looking far enough ahead for passing places the campervans can be ok but the folk who come up on the supercar rentals, who don't know the cars or the roads are crazy, I've driven it and cycled it with a couple of close calls doing both, all being said its a great drive. Jusr drive safe and be awarw that others don't |
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"Thanks everyone for the input, both here and in PM.
I'll be honest and say I'm not that used to driving on single track roads, but there are a few in this area, so before then I'll get some practise in. I'm not a speed demon anyway, and I'm just there for the meamble.
I'm thinking a couple of nights in Inverness on the way back and visiting Loch Ness, got to try and spot the monster! And maybe a couple of days so I can visit Sky.
I'm thinking either May or September."
On the way out of Inverness on the Fort William Road there is Jacobite Cruises who do very good trips down the Loch. |
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Just now there are a lot of tourists doing the NC500 in campervans etc and the locals are reporting them to police and getting them moved on,after this is all over they will be all over the tourists |
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