NC500

It's a great route, been doing it for many years before it was the NC500. Best bits for me are JoG to Fort Bill. Inverness, Fort Bill and Ullapool probably the best places for evenings (food/pub/accommodation choices).
We have "lads nights out" typically in Inverness (definitely) and then either Portree/Ullapool/Fort William for the other night and do it over 3 days / 2 nights... The Castle Tavern in Inverness is a great early evening pint, and then lots of good pubs if you like things a bit bouncier (Johnny Fox's for instance). https://www.castletavern.pub/ https://johnnyfoxes.co.uk/

Usually we don't bother with the East coast...
 
Now everyone seems to want to dip your wallet for itineraries, this site looks useful for those unfamiliar with Scotland, not that travel to remote communities is welcome at present: -

......... https://www.twoscotsabroad.com/free-north-coast-500-itinerary/

My understanding, at the outset, was that cars/campervans were recommended to travel clockwise, bikers anticlockwise.

So it seems we shall miss the midnight sun this season. Just remember the midges will be hungry, post lockdown.
 
My best tip if going anti-clockwise would be, once at Bonar Bridge just head towards Laird then up past Loch Shin to Laxford Bridge and miss out the top NE corner, take a ride up to Durness and back to Laxford Bridge then carry on down the West and as for the Bealch na ba..and Applecross...pah, give it a swerve you'll only be disappointed.
 
nah, do it clockwise. the sun?? will be on your back not in your eyes and if you get tired/hungover the boring? bits in the east will be easier.
 
Cabby said:
I'm afraid to say there is no way of avoiding crowded roads anywhere in NW Scotland nowadays, unless you're in the midst of lockdown as we still are. Yesterday made me very aware of how many tourists visit there now going through Glencoe yesterday was as quiet as I'e ever seen it for years but the minute restrictions are lifted it'll be hoaching again, like everywhere else, a victim of it's own success Scotland.

On that point, I'd avoid the Drumber/Lochinver road like the plague in the height of tourist season, murder polis.
Click to expand...

When i went up past Glencoe last Sept, I wouldnt have called it busy, some parts had traffic, but not what i would call busy, the further north i went the less populated it got.

I went up on a Saturday, and came back down on the Sunday, even then it wasnt busy ( mind you biblical rain put paid to loads of people being out lol)
 
I was thinking of slotting this in to the Strontian trip in Sept.

Realistically, how long does it take?

I may add some days onto the trip if i can get them so would be good to do
 
Cabby said:
Yet you're missing out on the Letch/Glenshee/Moulin and yes I know it's not NC500 but neither is Portree ;)
Click to expand...

Aha - yes! Agree...did that last time coming home from Inverness, I do like the Cairn o Mounth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn_O'_Mounth
And the Cock Bridge to Tomintoul road

That's where this was taken:
normal_IMG-20190519-WA0001.jpg
 
Santa-2512 said:
I was thinking of slotting this in to the Strontian trip in Sept.

Realistically, how long does it take?

I may add some days onto the trip if i can get them so would be good to do
Click to expand...

How long have you got? I’ve a pal who does it in a day’s ride from Embra. That’s in midsummer. I’d do it Cabby’s way (see post above) over 2-3 full days from Strontian, choosing some side roads to explore and ending up in the central highlands maybe. Then high tail it for home. However if the weather is miserable (and it can be) you can cut and run and be home pdq!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ShakeyBMW said:
The sheer number of T-shirt shops popping up on the route is a clue to what to expect. Itks a cash injection for the local tourist economy but it was far more enjoyable before it got the NC500 tag.
Click to expand...


Amen to that..:agree:agree
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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