Planning the North Coast 500 route...
Discussion
Hi all. I'm setting off from leafy Worcestershire in my recently acquired Elise SC and really quite excited about doing this long trip and the NC500 route!
I'll be staying overnight on the way up in the Lakes I expect on the night of Friday 23rd October and then staying with friends near Elgin on the Saturday night, the 24th.
From there I have no plans and would like guidance on a few things:
Might anyone have an itinerary for my TomTom please?
Is it best to go clockwise or anticlockwise? Anti Clockwise would allow a window view
Would you suggest two or three days?
Accommodation. Is it best to pre book, or do it as I go? Pre booking means I'll be driving to a schedule, but at least I can be assured of a bed that night!
I just might cram a sleeping bag, mat and one man tent in case! £50-70/night on a B&B is my budget as I'll be alone and keeping it simple as possible.
Thanks in advance.
Nick
I'll be staying overnight on the way up in the Lakes I expect on the night of Friday 23rd October and then staying with friends near Elgin on the Saturday night, the 24th.
From there I have no plans and would like guidance on a few things:
Might anyone have an itinerary for my TomTom please?
Is it best to go clockwise or anticlockwise? Anti Clockwise would allow a window view
Would you suggest two or three days?
Accommodation. Is it best to pre book, or do it as I go? Pre booking means I'll be driving to a schedule, but at least I can be assured of a bed that night!
I just might cram a sleeping bag, mat and one man tent in case! £50-70/night on a B&B is my budget as I'll be alone and keeping it simple as possible.
Thanks in advance.
Nick
nick_j007 said:
Thanks. It's my third so touch wood I'll be fine.
Fair enough. I found the east coast route to be an interesting road for an Audi A4 quattro when wet so felt it worth mentioning. I would do it in 3 days if I had the time and I'd pre-book hotels as I can't imagine there's a massive amount of them available.
I do this( or a variation) at least once a year by bike.
Personally I prefer clockwise but not sure why its a stunning route either way.
This time of year you shouldn't need to book but maybe reccee a few places online as they're not all right on the roadside and knowing there are X number of places in the next 50 miles can be reassuring. You may end up paying for a double room at B&Bs but most are within your budget.
3 days 2 nights works for me allows for relaxed coffee and lunch stops
There's nothing like the first time where each new corner seems to bring a more impressive view than the last
Enjoy
Personally I prefer clockwise but not sure why its a stunning route either way.
This time of year you shouldn't need to book but maybe reccee a few places online as they're not all right on the roadside and knowing there are X number of places in the next 50 miles can be reassuring. You may end up paying for a double room at B&Bs but most are within your budget.
3 days 2 nights works for me allows for relaxed coffee and lunch stops
There's nothing like the first time where each new corner seems to bring a more impressive view than the last
Enjoy
I may well be on the same route in my slightly tatty metalic yellow Elise S1.
The weather in late October and early November can be very nice in northern Scotland, but just check the weather forecast before heading over high passes early in mornings.
The end of October is when quite a lot of B&Bs and hotels shut for winter, so it may be best to at least check if your indented accomodation will be open.
I generally make the trip in a clockwise direction, but think I'll go the other way this time just for the heck of it.
The weather in late October and early November can be very nice in northern Scotland, but just check the weather forecast before heading over high passes early in mornings.
The end of October is when quite a lot of B&Bs and hotels shut for winter, so it may be best to at least check if your indented accomodation will be open.
I generally make the trip in a clockwise direction, but think I'll go the other way this time just for the heck of it.
I'm another who prefers to do Sutherland and Caithness clockwise. I particularly like the view as you reach the summit of the road before running down the long glen into Durness - not nearly as nice going the other way.
I'd strongly recommend alternatively either (ideally both if you can) doing the Tongue to Lairg road via Altnaharra, or/and the Helmsdale to Melvich road via Kinbrace. Words cannot describe how much fun the former is in a half decent car. The section from Helmsdale north to Wick and Thurso and across to Melvich is not in any way worth spending time on given the alternatives.
I'd re-iterate re booking in advance. When I first went up there many years ago I ended up having to drive for 40 odd miles one evening trying to find somewhere with a vacancy in early October. The off season when some hotels will close can have quite an impact.
Avoid the temptation to drive at dusk, dawn, and especially at night - lots of deer around and you won't have a hope in hell of spotting them in enough time to avoid them if you are driving at a speed that is anything other than dull.
Don't leave it too late to fill up - filling stations may not be open too late.
Keep an eye on the forecast for low temps - deserted and remote roads means that in the morning you might be the first one to come across an icy and untreated patch - you might have a long wait for recovery too. Temps can fall sharply higher up in the later afternoon, so risk again of ice potentially.
I'd strongly recommend alternatively either (ideally both if you can) doing the Tongue to Lairg road via Altnaharra, or/and the Helmsdale to Melvich road via Kinbrace. Words cannot describe how much fun the former is in a half decent car. The section from Helmsdale north to Wick and Thurso and across to Melvich is not in any way worth spending time on given the alternatives.
I'd re-iterate re booking in advance. When I first went up there many years ago I ended up having to drive for 40 odd miles one evening trying to find somewhere with a vacancy in early October. The off season when some hotels will close can have quite an impact.
Avoid the temptation to drive at dusk, dawn, and especially at night - lots of deer around and you won't have a hope in hell of spotting them in enough time to avoid them if you are driving at a speed that is anything other than dull.
Don't leave it too late to fill up - filling stations may not be open too late.
Keep an eye on the forecast for low temps - deserted and remote roads means that in the morning you might be the first one to come across an icy and untreated patch - you might have a long wait for recovery too. Temps can fall sharply higher up in the later afternoon, so risk again of ice potentially.
I wrote this and am open to answer whatever questions you have!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Djdan said:
I wrote this and am open to answer whatever questions you have!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Following the link now thanks!http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Some Satnav files here http://www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/products/36818...
ModernAndy said:
I had a check as didn't want to be responsible for leaving you stranded in freezing conditions and it seems to be open till at least midnight mon-sat (8pm Sunday) at any rate.
Thanks for that I've made a .itn file for the TomTom and also looked at this particular station on Google earth. There appear to be a few and I'll stop and every opportunity I think!A question re overnight stops then.
I'm starting on the saturday morning from Elgin, Inverness, Wick, JOG, and staying that night near Bettyhill/Tongue area.
In terms of hitting a balance between making good progress and enjoying the drive and a stop or two how far would you suggest I go the following day, would right down to Applecross be too much say? I need to book another nights B&B and then I can relax a bit more thanks guys.
Nick
I'm starting on the saturday morning from Elgin, Inverness, Wick, JOG, and staying that night near Bettyhill/Tongue area.
In terms of hitting a balance between making good progress and enjoying the drive and a stop or two how far would you suggest I go the following day, would right down to Applecross be too much say? I need to book another nights B&B and then I can relax a bit more thanks guys.
Nick
s2kjock said:
Just to add, I take it you are using the A93 to get to Elgin from the South if you will be on it in daylight? At this time of year during the day it's an entertaining drive from Blairgowrie pretty much all the way.
Just looked at that and it will be my route of choice tomorrow thanks! Will pick it up at Perth.
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