Scotland 500
Comments
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Some local companies actually over doing the route in a cavalcade of exotic cars - 10-12 at a time
We actually enjoy the "cavalcades of exotic motors" and pull over to watch them go by. Very often they pull into laybye's etc for photo's and to swap drivers....we will stop & gaup enviously at them........
Otherwise it has jusy become a monotonous and never ending convoy of motorhomes of all nationalities interspersed with motorbike clubs and the odd delivery truck.
Over promoted now without the infrastructure to support it.
Pity Ms Sturgeon doesn't sort out the roads (and the A75 in the south) instead of interfering in Brexit.....
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Thank you everyone for your input. We have put off the trip, the concerns about the state of the road, the amount of traffic and lack of correct use of passing place really put us off. Instead we enjoyed the peace and quiet of west Wales for nearly 4 weeks.
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We prefer cl's rather than commercial sites, we've never been that far north but judging by the comments re the amount of traffic, I think we'll give it a miss.
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We'll be heading for NW Scotland after the school holidays. We won't be thinking about the NC500. We're just heading for one spot and will do a bit of local exploration. I think there are still plenty of places left to see off the main routes, but if it's awful I'll report back!
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May I suggest the South West 300 to anyone wanting a 'pre-planned' taste of Scotland?
Traffic drops away after Preston, and doesn't really return. The scenery on this mostly coastal route is fabulous - in all weathers. There are some excellent CLs and CAMC sites dotted around. History buffs shouldn't miss Whithorn. Gardeners: Logan Botanic Garden and Threave House. Walking galore in Galloway Forest Park (also a renowned Dark Sky Area), and for foodies we have cheese producers, chocolate factories and smokehouses, to name but a few. And of course it is a lot nearer than the Highlands in miles and petrol.
Am I biased? Well, I'm not originally from this part of the world. Just privileged enough to live here.
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Lucky you, it is still very nice and rather undiscovered, much like Northumberland, although that has certainly got a lot busier in last ten years.
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I also am privileged too live in that part of the world and whilst I agree with what is said I am reluctant to invite large numbers to spoil the peace and quiet!!
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Trouble in store on that front!
https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/stone-blasts-nc500-campervan-chaos-181848/
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Interested in the Scottish 317 route. Looks a good alternative for caravans. Could you give more details of route please.
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I suspect you mean the SW300. You might find this thread of interest.
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You are likely to meet a lot of traffic on the southern part of this route (the SW300) this is the main road that leads to the Irish ferries, watch out for large commercial lorries, logging lorries and holiday traffic. Lovely area if you leave the main routes but I'm sorry to see the tourist board encouraging more traffic on this busy road.
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Have travelled that route twice this year and not experienced the traffic that you describe, brue.
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My husband and I are planning to do the route starting at Inverness/Dornoch anti clockwise. I have been told to get off at Helmsdale onto the A897 due to the roads at Bealach na ba being so bad. I want to try get to John o groats, can anyone recommend a route off the small single tracks ?
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The A9 is the main route north via Helmsdale to J o'G. We've used it many a time and I’d not choose to detour on a lesser road instead. What is supposed to be wrong with the A9?
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The main reason for traffic delays is the scottish governments insistance to leave the speed limits for lgv vehicles at 40 mph.!There are not many overtaking chances and when there is one an irish owned/! registered lorry will pull out and slowly overtake the lorry that has been obeying the law thereby holding up car traffic.!The weight of traffic is actually less than it was 2 years ago (in my opinion).Logging lorries drive at frightening speeds bearing in mind the weight of their loads!
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I have been told to get off at Helmsdale onto the A897 due to the roads at Bealach na ba being so bad.
That seems very odd as Helmsdale is on the opposite side of country from Bealac na Ba.
Perhaps your informant was confused by the Berridale Braes? These have been bypased which takes much of the fun out of them for caravanners but improves things for artics in the winter.
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I thought it didn't sound right😄
Ah, I remember the old Berriedale Braes road. The new one's a walk in the park👍🏻😙
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We have just done the NC 500, came back 10 days ago.
The whole route is easily possible to do towing a caravan if you have had previous experience of towing.
The roads were not busy neither were the sites. Things won't stay that way though as the summer goes on.
I would advise if going with a caravan to make sure you have sites booked.
MHs will always find somewhere but when its busy you will not be welcomed if you are not thoughtful and respect others.
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We are currently en rte going west to east, started from Bunree, presently at Kinlochewe, leave tomorrow for overnight stop at Bones Caves, overnight Kyle of Tongue, then a few nights at Dunnet Bay & Brora before heading home via Edinburgh (detour to Falls of Shin), Old Hartley, Bridlington & Bolton Abbey.....
If anyone is staying at Bunree, we can highly recommend Browns Restaurant in Fort William for a superb meal.
Quality of food & service is consistent as we went there twice in 3 days. It is part of the Nevis Bank Inn Hotel.
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I thought they were all in Wales, looking at the number we saw there last week!!
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I wonder if that's the 300 we saw when we moved down from Llangurig to Brecon?
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