North Coast 500

[HibbyDave]

Drove the NC500 this weekend. I had been all over the East Coast up to John O'Groats but i have to say the West Highlands are amazing!
The scenery is breathtaking. Stayed in Kylesku then went round to Melvich in the North and finally stopped in Dornoch on way south.
For a short break it really is a must.
Who knew?

[speedy_gonzales]

How long (time wise) were you driving for each day.
I fancy doing this towards Spring next year and had planned to do it over 3 days but when I "drive" I end up driving all day, thoroughly enjoy it, but tend not to stop so reckon 3 days is too long.
Years ago a mate and I done a camping road-trip, Edinburgh to Strontian, Strontian to Wick then Wick back to Edinburgh, 3 days/2 nights and a great laugh!
Is NC500 all about the drive or are you encouraged to stop and take in the sites?

[Sergio sledge]

How long (time wise) were you driving for each day.
I fancy doing this towards Spring next year and had planned to do it over 3 days but when I "drive" I end up driving all day, thoroughly enjoy it, but tend not to stop so reckon 3 days is too long.
Years ago a mate and I done a camping road-trip, Edinburgh to Strontian, Strontian to Wick then Wick back to Edinburgh, 3 days/2 nights and a great laugh!
Is NC500 all about the drive or are you encouraged to stop and take in the sites?

You could do it in two days Inverness-Inverness if you wanted to have 7 hour driving days, but honestly if you get a good weekend, the scenery is so good that you'll be wanting to stop every couple of hundred yards for photos. The stretch from Lochcarron round to Melvich/Bettyhill is incredible in terms of scenery.

[JeMeSouviens]

Funnily enough, I'm the opposite, been up and around the NW several times and climbed most of the mountains but I've never been N of Cromarty on the E coast and I've not been to John O'Groats.

NW is amazing though. My top tip: if you've got time for the walk in, Sandwood bay is one of the best beaches anywhere.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/2_7/2_7_3l.JPG

[Hiber-nation]

Drove the NC500 this weekend. I had been all over the East Coast up to John O'Groats but i have to say the West Highlands are amazing!
The scenery is breathtaking. Stayed in Kylesku then went round to Melvich in the North and finally stopped in Dornoch on way south.
For a short break it really is a must.
Who knew?

I really have to do this. Was thinking of a 2 stop strategy, maybe 3.

[Colr]

Drove the NC500 this weekend. I had been all over the East Coast up to John O'Groats but i have to say the West Highlands are amazing!
The scenery is breathtaking. Stayed in Kylesku then went round to Melvich in the North and finally stopped in Dornoch on way south.
For a short break it really is a must.
Who knew?

Did it last year with my wee boy.

Flew up to Inverness. Stopped at Dornoch, Wick, detour to Orkney, on to Kylesku via Durness, Ullapool, over to Skye and back to Inverness.

Had a great week.

[Pretty Boy]

I really quite fancy this but it seems to have absolutely exploded in popularity in the last year or so. Any idea why? I'd heard of it previously but now it's all over Facebook every other day and I've met about 10 people recently who are planning to do it.

I'm currently planning to walk the Scottish National Trail in 4 instalments so might tag this on somewhere along the way if I can make it work.

[Colr]

Belach na ba pass is a test of your driving!

[Godsahibby]

Keep threatening to do it get to Dornoch and never move on from there. .Love the place.

[Colr]

Keep threatening to do it get to Dornoch and never move on from there. .Love the place.

Great whisky bar in the Dornoch Castle hotel.

I certainly developed a taste for coastal whiskies on my trip!

[HibbyDave]

How long (time wise) were you driving for each day.
I fancy doing this towards Spring next year and had planned to do it over 3 days but when I "drive" I end up driving all day, thoroughly enjoy it, but tend not to stop so reckon 3 days is too long.
Years ago a mate and I done a camping road-trip, Edinburgh to Strontian, Strontian to Wick then Wick back to Edinburgh, 3 days/2 nights and a great laugh!

Is NC500 all about the drive or are you encouraged to stop and take in the sites?

You really need three stops to allow you time for views/ photo opportunities. Also the road from Kylesku up into the far north is a test.... about 100 miles of single track road with “passing places” sheer drops to the side occasionally and stunning scenery!
Worth spending time at Smoo Cave near Durness too.

[One Day Soon]

Drove the NC500 this weekend. I had been all over the East Coast up to John O'Groats but i have to say the West Highlands are amazing!
The scenery is breathtaking. Stayed in Kylesku then went round to Melvich in the North and finally stopped in Dornoch on way south.
For a short break it really is a must.
Who knew?


Us Hebridean boys have always known about Scotland's best kept secret. :wink:

The West coast is stunning, unspoilt and surprising. Now if you want a real treat, get yourself over to Lewis when the weather is good.

[Killiehibbie]

I really quite fancy this but it seems to have absolutely exploded in popularity in the last year or so. Any idea why? I'd heard of it previously but now it's all over Facebook every other day and I've met about 10 people recently who are planning to do it.

I'm currently planning to walk the Scottish National Trail in 4 instalments so might tag this on somewhere along the way if I can make it work.
They've all been watching Outlander.

[snooky]

Us Hebridean boys have always known about Scotland's best kept secret. :wink:

The West coast is stunning, unspoilt and surprising. Now if you want a real treat, get yourself over to Lewis when the weather is good.

We did Skye and the Hebrides about 11 years ago. Fantastic trip. Highlights for me were Skye/Harris/Barra/Staffa.

[Allant1981]

love the west coast, we go to gairloch every year for a few days, the beaches en route are stunning

[Glory Lurker]

I worry that the NC500's rocketing popularity will be its undoing.

[Pete]

I think it's something everyone in Scotland should do at least once. It looks stunning.

I think I'll wait until I'm retired and do it on a bike. Not sure the kids would appreciate it as much as I would. 😆

[HibbyDave]

Us Hebridean boys have always known about Scotland's best kept secret. :wink:

The West coast is stunning, unspoilt and surprising. Now if you want a real treat, get yourself over to Lewis when the weather is good.

Cheers.what day should i choose for good weather?😁
Ive been to Orkney and Shetland and Skye but never ventured to harris, lewis benbecula etc. Next summer for sure.

[heretoday]

If you get the weather you can't beat Scotland. It's a knockout.

[stoneyburn hibs]

I worry that the NC500's rocketing popularity will be its undoing.

Hopefully not, but I'll let go a few years before doing it.

[Colr]

I love a raod trip and it become an annual event for me and my son.

We couldn’t do it this year but I’m planning the next.

Fancied some of the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland.

Anyone done that?

Might pick up on the suggestion of the western isles above.

[Mr Grieves]

I love a raod trip and it become an annual event for me and my son.

We couldn’t do it this year but I’m planning the next.

Fancied some of the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland.

Anyone done that?

Might pick up on the suggestion of the western isles above.

I've not done the Wild Atlantic Way but I've visited Allihies/Beara Peninsula which is part of It. It's a beautiful place with great people .

[edinburghhibee]

Done this in august and luckily the weather was fantastic. Like most have said the west cost is stunning east coast after john o'grotes meh! Next time I do it I'll just come back on myself come back down the west. We stayed at the camp site next to smoo cave (must see its incredible) just a short trip down the road there is a zip wire over a gorgeous beach. The trip made me go for my bike license [emoji16]


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[HibbyDave]

I really have to do this. Was thinking of a 2 stop strategy, maybe 3.

I would defo suggest three stops if you want to spend any time in between.

[Hibrandenburg]

That will be my 2nd longer trip after Brittany once my caravan arrives in May.

[Hiber-nation]

I would defo suggest three stops if you want to spend any time in between.

Aye....depends if I'm doing it solo. My wife doesn't do single track roads!

[HibbyDave]

That will be my 2nd longer trip after Brittany once my caravan arrives in May.

I would not take a caravan. The passing places north of Kylesku are too small for a car and caravan especially if you meet a motorhome coming opposite direction.

[Hibrandenburg]

I would not take a caravan. The passing places north of Kylesku are too small for a car and caravan especially if you meet a motorhome coming opposite direction.

Thats the beauty of a caravan as opposed to a mobile home. You can leave the caravan on site and use the car for tripping.

[Sergio sledge]

That will be my 2nd longer trip after Brittany once my caravan arrives in May.

I don't think you are allowed to take caravans over the Bealach Na Ba anyway, and if you are allowed I wouldn't recommend it...

Even if you skip that section as others have said there are other bits of road which would be an absolute nightmare in a caravan.

[Hibrandenburg]

I don't think you are allowed to take caravans over the Bealach Na Ba anyway, and if you are allowed I wouldn't recommend it...

Even if you skip that section as others have said there are other bits of road which would be an absolute nightmare in a caravan.

There's caravan sites dotted all over the area so I'm not concerned about access. Like I said previously the caravan is only being used as a home base for day trips in the area, it's not as if I take great delight in humping a caravan through the Pampas.

[JeMeSouviens]

There's caravan sites dotted all over the area so I'm not concerned about access. Like I said previously the caravan is only being used as a home base for day trips in the area, it's not as if I take great delight in humping a caravan through the Pampas.

Google maps view of the road coming up over the Bealach na Ba:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.4072723,-5.6747176,691a,35y,294.68h,78.46t/data=!3m1!1e3


Best of luck! :wink:

[Hibrandenburg]

Google maps view of the road coming up over the Bealach na Ba:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.4072723,-5.6747176,691a,35y,294.68h,78.46t/data=!3m1!1e3


Best of luck! :wink:

Why would I want to drive my caravan over there?

http://www.gairlochcampsite.co.uk/page10aa.html

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/scotland/highlands/kinlochewe-caravan-club-site/

http://www.gruinardbay.co.uk/

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/scotland/highlands/altnaharra-caravan-club-site/

There are literally hundreds of locations to set up home base for a week or 2.

[Colr]

Google maps view of the road coming up over the Bealach na Ba:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.4072723,-5.6747176,691a,35y,294.68h,78.46t/data=!3m1!1e3


Best of luck! :wink:

When I did it I got stuck behind a guy with Dutch plates who seemed to be having a total whitey! There’s no way you can reverse and go back up there!