North Coast 500

Lord Stretton
Lord Stretton Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited July 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi everyone,  in April we bought our first motorhome, an Elddis Aspire 125. We've already toured much of France, a bit of South Wales, Edinburgh and the Lake District. We want to travel up to Scotland in September (after the kids go back to school) and wondered
if anyone had any advice? We understand part of the route is unsuitable for MHs. Cheers

Comments

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #2

    We doit all the time in our 6M Rhythm and you see much bigger outfits arround.Just take it easy and use the passing places for others to overtake you.

  • Romaroamer
    Romaroamer Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited July 2016 #3

    Have done this route several times. My van is only 5.4m but was followed (at a sensible and considerate distance) by a friend in their 7.5m motorhome and we had no problems at all. The place that we skipped due to our aversion to heights was Applecross.
    There is one route for bigger vehicles but I am not sure if the Bealach na Bair (undoubtably spelt wrongly) route is suitable for larger vehicles as there are some steep gradients and hairpin bends. Hopefully some one more knowledgeable will be able to advise
    you.

    My advice would be not to rush the trip. There are numerous lay bys to stop and enjoy the views.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited July 2016 #4

    Its on our 'To Do' list so good luck. No idea of the roads but we were on a coach trip a few days ago on Mull - no car as ferry full!! Went from Craignure to Fionnphort (for Iona) on a 35 mile single track road - loads of passing places though. Enjoy your
    trip.

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #5

    Some tips- Fuel outside big towns very expensive- Fill up at supermarkets.Fort William, Inverness. Wick.

    CC and CLsites sparse but small commercials. You can wild it outside villages etc. Best is the causway at Tongue, but plenty of others. We half fill our drinking water tank when on sites.

    Go slow so much to see hence not booking ahead,use an OS map so you can go off the main ( Still narrow roads).

    Let others overtake you at the passing places.

    Must do- train ride from Ft William to Rannock station ( You can park all day for £1-50 or free at Lidle if you ask.) Stay at Kinlochewe CC site. Fish the Gairloch lochs. etc etc   Go May/early June or Sept to miss the worst of the midges. You can buy a
    head net fo r£5 in most walikng shops and they are good. With surgical gloves I can keep fishing in a flat calm in August!

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #6

    The train trip from Fort William to Rannoch is very nice, but the spectacular one is the West Highland Line Extension to Mallaig.

     

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #7

    Been going for 50 years and every year find somewhere new.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #8

    The place that we skipped due to our aversion to heights was Applecross. There is one route for bigger vehicles but I am not sure if the Bealach na Bair (undoubtably spelt wrongly) route is suitable for larger vehicles as there are some steep gradients
    and hairpin bends. Hopefully some one more knowledgeable will be able to advise you.

     

     

    I did the Applecross road last year on my motorbike. There were a couple of motorhomes coming over but they looked a bit out of place and the road is not really suitable. It depends how determined you are but far more fun on the bike.....!

  • Lord Stretton
    Lord Stretton Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited July 2016 #9

    Thanks everyone, sounds like we're in for a good time! We won't be in a rush so plenty of  time to stop and smell the roses.

  • Solobay
    Solobay Forum Participant Posts: 156
    100 Comments
    edited July 2016 #10

    Can recommend the club site at Brora - a lot of the 500 is easily accessible from there as a day drive - benefit is that there is a lot to see across the diagonals - empty roads and awesome scenery.  Brora to Dunnet Head along to Bettyhill is a fab 140 miles
    - same going from brora to Durness and bback via Tongue 150/160 miles Applecross road is not for long vehicles or caravans - signs to that effect at either end  biggest hint do not rush it

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