North coast 500

jimdonovan01

jimdonovan01

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Just wondering if anyone has done the north coast 500 in Scotland? Thinking of getting a few days booked of work in the summer and hitting the road. Looking at it, it’s going to take some planning, B&B’s for the night. Wether I pre book them and try figure out how far I will travel each day or just find somewhere each night ?

My main concern though, with my s3 being mapped to Tesco momentum I’m gonna struggle for petrol when I get to north Scotland. There’s only one Tesco petrol station what I can find on google maps :/ and I don’t think it even sells momentum. So I’m guessing I’ll have to have it remapped for switchable maps for different fuels.

All seems a lot of hassle but the drive looks AMAZING!


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Somebody has been watching Grand Tour?

Audi Bairn has given me some good tips for a road trip I am planning in 2020.
 
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TYb said:
Somebody has been watching Grand Tour?
Click to expand...

Oh I didn’t even know it was on there.. I’ve not been watching it though, I LOVED top gear too so I don’t know why I’ve not seen it
 
Was about to comment the same thing, they done part of the NC500 and as stated looked stunning!

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I may have to pick up @Audi Bairn 's brain on this as I am driving up to Aberdeen for a family wedding on Friday 1st and returning Sunday 3rd for a family wedding. Last thing I want is to worry about fuel on the S4 oh and and the speed breakers
 
I have done it and have done many side trips to other areas off the 500...Orkneys etc. What time of the year is the OP planning. I do those trips in early May and no problems with accommodations, just stopped when I wanted to, but the summer time could be a different kettle of fish. Petrol no issues for premium octane but no Tescos except for the Inverness area (two)
 
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I’ve done parts of it on two separate occasions. Both times in a rented caterham with the second time spending more time on Skye and only doing small sections.

Great roads but avoid weekends and peak summer season if you can or it will be zero fun.
 
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I would suggest deviations from the nc500 route. Too many car clubs and boy racers doing it in summer and it attracts a lot of attention/police.
Applecross and mull is very nice then up to Durness taking the scenic routes.
I like Durness, one of my favourite spots.
Cheapest way is tent, plenty of caravan/camping spots.
My old car was mapped to vpower, it did not like normal unleaded at all, and finding super unleaded was difficult the first time I did it. Fort William and I think Ullapool had super but that’s about it. Second time I did it I just went with a couple of cans of octane booster and used normal unleaded. Worked a treat and didn’t misfire or throw management light.
 
TYb said:
Somebody has been watching Grand Tour?

Audi Bairn has given me some good tips for a road trip I am planning in 2020.
Click to expand...
lol I saw it yesterday, the bridge they went over wasn't on the road he pointed at on the map though!!!

@ the OP, when I went up that way I took a metal fuel can and filled it up full on the good stuff before we hit the very quiet parts! But there were plenty of (think they were called) Gleaner stations around that sold high octane fuel. Peace of mind having some in the boot as well though, as some of the roads are remote :)
 
jimdonovan01 said:
Just wondering if anyone has done the north coast 500 in Scotland? Thinking of getting a few days booked of work in the summer and hitting the road. Looking at it, it’s going to take some planning, B&B’s for the night. Wether I pre book them and try figure out how far I will travel each day or just find somewhere each night ?

My main concern though, with my s3 being mapped to Tesco momentum I’m gonna struggle for petrol when I get to north Scotland. There’s only one Tesco petrol station what I can find on google maps :/ and I don’t think it even sells momentum. So I’m guessing I’ll have to have it remapped for switchable maps for different fuels.

All seems a lot of hassle but the drive looks AMAZING!


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Click to expand...

I did it last May - truly awesome, especially the West Coast section. Was told to avoid summer as can be lots of midgies.
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I done it summer just gone, gulf petrol stations when you get way up big I remember. I had 3 stops in hotels on the official route, can dig the map out tonight if you'd like to see where I went
 
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Tashfeen said:
I may have to pick up @Audi Bairn 's brain on this as I am driving up to Aberdeen for a family wedding on Friday 1st and returning Sunday 3rd for a family wedding. Last thing I want is to worry about fuel on the S4 oh and and the speed breakers
Click to expand...
Fire away buddy! DM me with your thoughts / requirements.
The NC500 is a good bit away from Aberdeen right enough but plenty of other options :thumbs up:
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
I have done it and have done many side trips to other areas off the 500...Orkneys etc. What time of the year is the OP planning. I do those trips in early May and no problems with accommodations, just stopped when I wanted to, but the summer time could be a different kettle of fish. Petrol no issues for premium octane but no Tescos except for the Inverness area (two)
Click to expand...

There's Tesco and ASDA fuel available at Tain too a bit further north :thumbs up:
Near the Glenmorangie Distillery too so would be rude not to lol
 
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JonnyS3 said:
View attachment 176341

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I’ve done parts of it on two separate occasions. Both times in a rented caterham with the second time spending more time on Skye and only doing small sections.

Great roads but avoid weekends and peak summer season if you can or it will be zero fun.
Click to expand...
Eilean Donan is my favourite castle, just for the design and setting.
Also location for filming Highlander the movie.
 
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I've literally just texted my mate about doing something similar this morning. Maybe not the NC500 but something similar/shorter than can be done on a weekend.
 
MattSedg said:
I done it summer just gone, gulf petrol stations when you get way up big I remember. I had 3 stops in hotels on the official route, can dig the map out tonight if you'd like to see where I went
Click to expand...
I know I'd appreciate that if you get a chance please mate, considering something similar for a week in June.

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Audi Bairn said:
Fire away buddy! DM me with your thoughts / requirements.
The NC500 is a good bit away from Aberdeen right enough but plenty of other options :thumbs up:
Click to expand...

Cheers buddy. Will drop you a PM later tonight


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Fill up with 99ron at Inverness, Tain and then there's really nothing until you get to the West at Ullapool.

My advice is to take a few bottles of Octane Booster and you'll be bullet proof.

Done many parts of the WC500, and even less congested routes can be found if you plan an alternative route over single track roads.

Take your midge repellent and net during the summer, and most importantly enjoy the driving and the magnificent views.
 
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Can't comment on the fuel, however I would avoid going in July/August as you will just spend your whole time stuck behind caravans and RVs.

The best time is May, June or September. If you get the weather it is truly sublime.

Highlights for me, the road up through the Cairngorms, up near Ullapool and Applecross. The roads and the scenery are just out of this world, I will definitely head back this year or next to go up through Glencoe and over to Skye.
 
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Skye and Glencoe in my opinion are both very overrated. Skye accommodation is nigh to impossible in the high season, unless it is booked well in advance. There are many other areas off the beaten tracks that offer better scenery and driving experiences. I agree that for a driving experience avoid June, July, August and early September.
Remember just my opinion.
 
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Adam14 said:
I know I'd appreciate that if you get a chance please mate, considering something similar for a week in June.

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Click to expand...
this was my route,
day 1, queensferry to thurso...long ol drive
day 2, thurso to lochinver
day 3, lochinver to skye

suppose it was the nc500 with a bit more added in by going to Skye
Nc500 route
 
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Adam14 said:
Cracking. Thanks mate.

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Click to expand...
that was basically, straight driving, very little stopping time as it was just me on my tod in the car, so if you were wanting a proper holiday and look around, do less than I did per day :racer:

might have to get myself back up to Lochinver soon in the Landy :salute:
 
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jimdonovan01 said:
Just wondering if anyone has done the north coast 500 in Scotland? Thinking of getting a few days booked of work in the summer and hitting the road. Looking at it, it’s going to take some planning, B&B’s for the night. Wether I pre book them and try figure out how far I will travel each day or just find somewhere each night ?

My main concern though, with my s3 being mapped to Tesco momentum I’m gonna struggle for petrol when I get to north Scotland. There’s only one Tesco petrol station what I can find on google maps :/ and I don’t think it even sells momentum. So I’m guessing I’ll have to have it remapped for switchable maps for different fuels.

All seems a lot of hassle but the drive looks AMAZING!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


I've been round it twice about forty years ago, a long time before it was given the name North Coast 500. The first time we did it in my Mini then a year later did it on my motorbike. Not sure I can give you any advise about doing it now but I will say the scenery was amazing, I can't imagine that's changed much.
I do remember there were some road works on a single track road between Thurso and Tongue where the diversion pointed me in one end of a field then I had to drive through a farmers field and out the other end, ok in a tractor but not the best in a Mini.
 
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Evil Derboy said:
I've literally just texted my mate about doing something similar this morning. Maybe not the NC500 but something similar/shorter than can be done on a weekend.
Click to expand...
You know where I am if you need any info mate :thumbs up:
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
Skye and Glencoe in my opinion are both very overrated. Skye accommodation is nigh to impossible in the high season, unless it is booked well in advance. There are many other areas off the beaten tracks that offer better scenery and driving experiences. I agree that for a driving experience avoid June, July, August and early September.
Remember just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I used to go to Skye every year as my sis lived in Portree for years and it’s an amazing drive up there but thing I always say to people going there is that, when it’s raining, there’s not much to do inside it’s very much an outdoor place. We used to go in October too, to avoid taking a room in her B&B at peak season therefore we spent many a day driving somewhere and not venturing too far from the car.
 
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I did it in early June 2017 . We went anti-clockwise from Inverness . Abosolutley bang on about the midges . No problems with accommodation and we only booked three weeks in advance .
And for the guy who mentioned a short two day trip go to Wales and do the evo triangle and black mountain pass .
 
Audi Bairn said:
I used to go to Skye every year as my sis lived in Portree for years and it’s an amazing drive up there but thing I always say to people going there is that, when it’s raining, there’s not much to do inside it’s very much an outdoor place. We used to go in October too, to avoid taking a room in her B&B at peak season therefore we spent many a day driving somewhere and not venturing too far from the car.
Click to expand...

Agreed on the outdoor place comment.
Congrats on being a moderator!......is the house next door finished with all scaffolding removed and a garden planted?
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
Agreed on the outdoor place comment.
Congrats on being a moderator!......is the house next door finished with all scaffolding removed and a garden planted?
Click to expand...

I should add to my Skye outdoor comments, that there’s always the pub or Talisker Distillery tour :thumbs up:

Cheers buddy, was honoured to take up @Sandra invitation.

I’ll choose my words carefully when referring to our next door neighbours house (really nice people). The house is OCCUPIED, but not necessarily FINISHED :whistle2:

How’s life in BC?
 
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Audi Bairn said:
I should add to my Skye outdoor comments, that there’s always the pub or Talisker Distillery tour :thumbs up:

Cheers buddy, was honoured to take up @Sandra invitation.

I’ll choose my words carefully when referring to our next door neighbours house (really nice people). The house is OCCUPIED, but not necessarily FINISHED :whistle2:

How’s life in BC?
Click to expand...

Cold and too many rounds of snow in Vancouver, but great skiing weather.
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
Cold and too many rounds of snow in Vancouver, but great skiing weather.
Click to expand...

Aw cheers, thanks for rubbing it in mate lol
We’re gutted that we didn’t make it back over to Whistler this year again.
Before I ban myself for going off topic, I’ll dress this up as being relevant to the NC500 by relating to the Sea to Sky Highway :whistle2:
 
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Audi Bairn said:
I should add to my Skye outdoor comments, that there’s always the pub or Talisker Distillery tour :thumbs up:

Cheers buddy, was honoured to take up @Sandra invitation.

I’ll choose my words carefully when referring to our next door neighbours house (really nice people). The house is OCCUPIED, but not necessarily FINISHED :whistle2:

How’s life in BC?
Click to expand...
Good choice in my part @Audi Bairn :)
 
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