Scotland's "North Coast 500" Tour

Pilote9021
Pilote9021 Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited October 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Having just returned from the "North Coast 500" circular Highland Road Tour and also having read The Highland Fling article in the "Clubs" November 2016 magazine, I felt that I should let the cat out of the bag, with respect to this stunningly beutiful coastal tour, voted one of the worlds best coastal routes.

The journey in our Pilote Galaxy, took us past Loch Lomand, Glen Coe, Oban, picking up the route500 at Strathcarron. We also took in the Orkneys, utilising the "road equivalent tarif" & well priced ferry's, sailing into Stromness and departing via St. Margarets Hope.

In my two years of motorhoming I have never come across so many caravans and motorhomes on-route in any part of the UK, it was great to see.

It is some time since I last travelled this way and the Route created by the North Highland Initiative is one which I have no hesitation of recommending to fellow travellers. (www.northcoast500.com)

 

Comments

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited October 2016 #2

    Sounds good - perhaps you could post more details eg. sites stopped at in the Your Stories section.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #3

    Having just returned from the "North Coast 500" circular Highland Road Tour and also having read The Highland Fling article in the "Clubs" November 2016 magazine, I felt that I should let the cat out of the bag, with respect to this stunningly beutiful coastal tour, voted one of the worlds best coastal routes.

    The journey in our Pilote Galaxy, took us past Loch Lomand, Glen Coe, Oban, picking up the route500 at Strathcarron. We also took in the Orkneys, utilising the "road equivalent tarif" & well priced ferry's, sailing into Stromness and departing via St. Margarets Hope.

    In my two years of motorhoming I have never come across so many caravans and motorhomes on-route in any part of the UK, it was great to see.

    It is some time since I last travelled this way and the Route created by the North Highland Initiative is one which I have no hesitation of recommending to fellow travellers. (www.northcoast500.com)

     

    Write your comments here...Glad you enjoyed the tour -- The scenery is truly fantastic !!. 

    We Scots don't like to tell everybody how good it is, as it could encourage hordes of people to come up from the South and try it. LaughingLaughing

    We can't have the roads being clogged and the camping places being crowded out by Southerners can we ? Wink. Would spoil the whole point of such a scenic tour. !!!Surprised

    Wink

     

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #4

    Yes, I did it earlier this year.

    I don't live in Scotland but have been there every year for about the last forty years for my holidays, the early trips were with my parents.......

    I took four weeks to do the trip, taking my time.  It rained at some point every day, many of the days relentlessly all day, day after day.   And if the wind dropped, then came the midges.  In Durness I was savaged by the thickest
    cloud of midges known to mankind.

    Kenine has little to worry about. Most visitors may come once but never again....!

    I realise someone will be along in a minute to say they spent 53 weeks in Scotland last year and never saw a drop of rain, but that isn't how it has been for us the last three years consecutively were a wash out whilst we were
    there....

    Its the South of England for us next year......Wink 

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #5

    Yes, I did it earlier this year.

    I don't live in Scotland but have been there every year for about the last forty years for my holidays, the early trips were with my parents.......

    I took four weeks to do the trip, taking my time.  It rained at some point every day, many of the days relentlessly all day, day after day.   And if the wind dropped, then came the midges.  In Durness I was savaged by the thickest cloud of midges known to mankind.

    Kenine has little to worry about. Most visitors may come once but never again....!

    I realise someone will be along in a minute to say they spent 53 weeks in Scotland last year and never saw a drop of rain, but that isn't how it has been for us the last three years consecutively were a wash out whilst we were there....

    Its the South of England for us next year......Wink 

    Write your comments here...Many thanks Tintent. I always use the weather and the wee beasties to deter a huge influx of campers to the NW of Scotland and to encourage Southerners to caravan down south.

    Makes caravanning much more relaxing for those of us who enjoy the natural beauty of that part of Scotland and outdoor activities.

    K Smile

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #6

    Kennine,  We  love  you  dearly  &  are  so  pleased  you  are  still posting  on  CT  Smile  BUT  your  attempts  here  to  dissuade  us  from  coming  North  of  The  Border  are  deserving  only  of   -->  Tongue Out  thrrrppptt !

    Brian  A B M

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #7

    I spent 7 weeks in Scotland earlier this year and loved all the seasons I experienced ..................... daily

  • Solobay
    Solobay Forum Participant Posts: 156
    100 Comments
    edited October 2016 #8

    Two things to remember about NC500 and a major gripe.

    One - a lot of the roads are single track, so if you aren't too hot with reversing etc you may want to consider a base and doing it in chunks.

    Two - take some detours - much of the awesome stuff is actually down side roads and cul de sacs - be prepared to explore

    Gripe - too many people are now doing this just to tick a box - sure you can do it in three days but you are not experiencing it - theres way too many groups of 5/10/20 cars etc just hammering round to get the teeshirt - damn buy a film and watch it at home.

     

    Oh aye and it rains here - doesn't actually change the scenery just puts it in a different light!

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #9

    It's been a very good bit of advertising, similar to our Jurassic Coast down here. It's a shame an area has to be a "challenge," I agree with you about the tick box culture, no time to stand and stare, hope they leave some bits unexplored! We have quiet spots in the SW hopefully there'll be plenty up in the far north too.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #10

    Just had a look at this route. Wondered what it was all about. We have covered just about all of it as part of longer stays in Scotland, I reckon that, based on our normal 5 nights and move, It would take us around 10 weeks.
    Two Thumbs Up 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #11

    Just had a look at this route. Wondered what it was all about. We have covered just about all of it as part of longer stays in Scotland, I reckon that, based on our normal 5 nights and move, It would take us around 10 weeks.
    Two Thumbs Up 

    ...Thats you sorted for next year thenWink

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #12

    Spent 7 in Scotland this year. Usually go for 6 weeks plus every couple of years

  • WK57ABF
    WK57ABF Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited October 2016 #13

    Two things to remember about NC500 and a major gripe.

    One - a lot of the roads are single track, so if you aren't too hot with reversing etc you may want to consider a base and doing it in chunks.

    Two - take some detours - much of the awesome stuff is actually down side roads and cul de sacs - be prepared to explore

    Gripe - too many people are now doing this just to tick a box - sure you can do it in three days but you are not experiencing it - theres way too many groups of 5/10/20 cars etc just hammering round to get the teeshirt - damn buy a film and watch it at home.

     

    Oh aye and it rains here - doesn't actually change the scenery just puts it in a different light!

    Write your comments here...Detours. I agree entirely. A few that come to mind - Dunnet Head, Strathnaver from Altnahara, Scourie, Point of Stoer, Glen Lyon, Glen Torridon, etc. and, of course, Applecross. Would take two lifetimes to discover Scotland.