North Coast 500

Tfp

Tfp

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I'm sure someone on here has done it, but can't find in a search.

I remember seeing some pictures.

I'm planning to do it 16th April so after any advice.

I need to try and be well informed, someone from the USA is coming over, I supply car, they supply the rest.

I'm presuming it takes 4 to 5 days?

Looking at some websites for recommendations, but really need to know if any of the places are worth spending more time at.
 
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Plan your fuel stops and know your range.

Take spare fuel (I carried 10 litres - and needed it) + octane booster if you need 98 octane. There is no 98 octane north of Inverness - Tesco Momentum is your last chance. Shell Nitro+ is available in Inverness town centre. BP Ultimate is available at Fort William.

There is a 24-hour self-service at Durness.
 
Yeah this a brilliant route and like Pingu says fuel stops are very rare the further north you go. I had a pre planned route in my sat nav to make my life easier, If you can send them over apple cross pass. It's incredible.
 
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Ah, Bealach Na Ba - Pass of Cattle, on Applecross Peninsula - fantastic! :thumbsup:
 
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G4FUJ said:
Ah, Bealach Na Ba - Pass of Cattle, on Applecross Peninsula - fantastic! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I can second that .
A section of road with views that are right up there with the best you'll find anywhere.
 
I would say you need more than 5 days if you want to enjoy what the route has to offer, other than driving of course. I.e. go on hikes, visit monuments towns and villages, boat trips, drinking with the locals etc.

There are plenty of 95 ron fuel stations. Also there is a download able route for Google maps which shows fuel station locations, it's available on the NC500 website. You can save it to your phone and use it when you're up there. Mobile signal is a bit hit and miss (so take a spare phone with a sim on a different network to your own). Due to this I wouldn't rely on a phone GPS, although you can download google map areas to use offline, but I would definitely advise a stand alone unit. Itineraries are also available on their website.

There's a lot more on the western part of the route than the north and east. And the roads are a little more treacherous due to being almost single track in areas with plenty of rough surfaces.

Some great roads and fantastic scenery and barely any traffic, it's nice to just enjoy it all at a leasurely pace, but at the same time the some good opportunities to drive 8-9/10ths for a sustained run.

Oh, I've just remembered, there is a website run by locals who will create an itinerary specifically designed for you, you just mention the duration of your trip, what things you'd like to see and/or are interested in and they send you a pdf. I think it's £20 to £40 depending on your duration. I can't for the life of me remember the name lol. I'll try and find it for you.
 
There is super unleaded now available north of Inverness
CENTRAL FILING STATION: MAIN ROAD, KYLE OF LOCHALSH, HIGHLAND, IV40 8AG @ 127.9p
SCOURIE AUTOMAT FILLING STATION; SCOURIE BY LAIRG, LAIRG, HIGHLAND, IV27 4SX @ 131.8p
BRIDGEND FILLING STATION: BRIDGEND, THURSO, HIGHLAND, KW14 8PP @ 136.9p
BRIDGEND STORES: ORD PLACE, LAIRG, HIGHLAND, IV27 4AY @ 150.0p
TESCO TAIN: SHORE ROAD, TAIN, HIGHLAND, IV19 1EH @ 122.9p​
 
The more I learn about this the more I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you everyone for your contributions so far, very much appreciated.
 
Picking passenger up from Edinburgh airport on 18th.

Not sure whether to do first eve in Edinburgh or Loch ness.

Second night I've booked in Wick.

Very open to suggestions for after that, we have 5 days in total.

Tim
 
Hi all,

Here are some notes on the trip we’re doing with friends at the end of March this year:

Day 1 – Gatehouse of Fleet to North Queensferry (245 miles)

A day spent predominantly in The Borders. We start by heading SW to the Mull of Galloway which is the southernmost point of Scotland. Retracing our steps as far as Newton Stewart (hence the additional mileage) we head via the A702 via Carronbridge to Elvanfoot, then (perversely!) south on the A74(M) for a short stretch to Beattock to pick up the A708 to Cappercleuch thence to Tweedsmuir and the A701 / A702 to the outskirts of Edinburgh. From there we use the new Queensferry Crossing to finish at the Doubletree Queensferry Hotel almost underneath.

Day 2 – North Queensferry to Beauly (202 miles)

We initially head north on the A90 before taking the A91 then the A823 towards Glen Eagles and Crieff. From here the A822 takes us to Loch Tay from where the B846 (General Wade’s Military Road, or rather, one of them!) takes us towards Tummel Bridge and Glen Garry. We then pick up the A86 to Spean Bridge before heading NE along the A82 passing Loch Laggan & Loch Ness to the outskirts of Inverness from where it’s only a short distance to Beauly for our overnight stop.

Day 3 – Beauly to Kylesku (219 miles)

A spectacular day taking in some of the best views of the W coast. From Beauly we head towards the A835 and then the A832 past Loch Luichard then via Glen Carron to the head of Loch Kishorn to pick up the infamous Bealach na Ba for Applecross. We then take the coast road north to Shieldaig, then via Glen Torridon & Loch Maree to Gairloch, Ullapool and finally Kylesku.

Day 4 – Kylesku to Dornoch (212 miles)

An equally spectacular day 4 takes in the North Coast route of the A838 and the fantastic bays and beaches via Durness, Kyle of Tongue before eventually getting to Thurso. Taking the coast road to John O’Groats we detour to Dunnet Head to take in the most northerly point of mainland Great Britain.

Day 5 – Dornoch To Stirling (227 miles)

The final day takes us over the Cairngorms on the A93 via Grantown-on-Spey and Braemar. Hopefully there may be an opportunity to view the Devil’s Elbow on the Cairnwell Pass en route. From Dunkeld we take the A9 to the outskirts of Perth to pick up the A85 and pass through Crieff (again!) and then the Earthquake capital of the UK on the way to our final destination in Stirling.

Can’t wait - just hope the weather is kind!
 
I would suggest the first night around Inverness. There's Fort George (link) and possible dolphin watching in Moray Firth / Nairn (link) you can also hire a canoe and go out onto the water. Make sure you drive on the A939 from Edinburgh up to Inverness, you won't regret it.

From Inverness up to Wick there's Dunrobin Castle, which is definitely worth a visit imo (link).

I seem to be talking myself into it... I may have to join you lol.
 
Plan very carefully regarding the stops, some people are trying or make money out of pretty shitty facilities.
 
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