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#1 2018-05-19 07:21:57

Ricko
Member
From: SW Lancs
Registered: 2017-01-18
Posts: 334

North Coast 500?

Hi, has anyone on here done the North Coast 500 in their van? I think that it might be my trip for the summer!
Cheers


2004 Citroen Dispatch 2.0 Hdi

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#2 2018-05-19 12:43:42

Casper
Member
From: East Lothian
Registered: 2015-12-20
Posts: 2,114

Re: North Coast 500?

No but also fancy it one year. I hear it gets busy with campervans though. Bloody pests big_smile

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#3 2018-05-19 13:26:43

luthier
Member
From: Eyemouth
Registered: 2017-06-17
Posts: 99

Re: North Coast 500?

I'm  planning to go soon big_smile  I fancy getting up to the furthest point for the Summer solstice,  I'm not a Hippie or anything hahaha, just watched the wickerman way to many times lol big_smile

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#4 2018-05-20 09:53:02

vaz2121
Member
From: Glasgow Living:~ SW. Scotland
Registered: 2015-08-31
Posts: 1,311

Re: North Coast 500?

Ricko wrote:

Hi, has anyone on here done the North Coast 500 in their van? I think that it might be my trip for the summer!
Cheers

I'm going to say yes several times..... I must admit most of what's depicted as The NC500 (Before it became famous and called NC500) on the bike and it all again and most of the rest in the van............
Almost Two different styles, variants on the same touring theme
(Glen Morangie whiskey tour as all of them were worth it IMHO)


As casper says it can/does get very busy with all type of tourist .......Tour busses and "RV's" being (partly) a particular problem on certain very narrow parts of single track roads and bridges/parking--passing places........... stopping to spill out the passengers  all trying to get the same (solitude) fix as we are


Don't have me put you or anyone off.............It's still very very much worth the effort ..... Do some research go find what floats your boat
(cafe/choclate factory, Smoos cave, John Lennon garden.Durness)......

However you might also find yourself in a remote part of nowhere after several miles of single track and nowhere/spaces to park...............

It's not so visualy dramatic but certainly for the history buff and not so busy yet with tourist .................Have a think on trying Orkney and the Shetlands at some point ....
That too can be extremly rewarding for the little extra effort


Luthier:--There are several little dirt track roads off and around the carpark at the Dunnet Head Lighthouse that you may want to explore and find a patch to pitch up

I'm not 100% sure that quite a few others might have that idea also....... (They did when I last tried it and that was September...........still enough ground to have our space ... not just our 1st choice).....................

We're planning a (1of many Bucket list) December/ january trip there or Orkney in the Hope (far brighter? show) of Northern lights again

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#5 2018-05-20 13:06:49

Ricko
Member
From: SW Lancs
Registered: 2017-01-18
Posts: 334

Re: North Coast 500?

luthier wrote:

I'm  planning to go soon :D  I fancy getting up to the furthest point for the Summer solstice,  I'm not a Hippie or anything hahaha, just watched the wickerman way to many times lol :D

"Hail the Queen of the May!"


2004 Citroen Dispatch 2.0 Hdi

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#6 2018-05-20 13:59:11

OAT
Member
From: Borders/Dales
Registered: 2017-01-03
Posts: 903

Re: North Coast 500?

I have done the whole coast as a tour and also different sections quite a few times.  Not since they started calling it the NW500 though.

Covered quite a few sections of it last year on a tour of the north and was disappointed with the changes.  It's a personal thing and I am sure many would think them improvements.  Can't blame the locals for seeking to make the most of what could be a very valuable asset either, but I fear they might loose what was the original attraction.  There are already signs of local businesses being taken over by more corporate interests as the potential for profit increases with the success of the marketing.

There is talk of convoy systems being considered in some places.  The Applecross road has gone from one of the best drives in the country to a procession with a view. 

Do it soon as I think in a few years it will be no more a wilderness experience than a visit to JoG.

On a more positive note, the concentration being encouraged in one area, leaves others even quieter.  smile

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#7 2019-05-25 14:07:37

Ricko
Member
From: SW Lancs
Registered: 2017-01-18
Posts: 334

Re: North Coast 500?

Speeding, congestion and protest: the dark side of Scotland’s North Coast 500 route

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019 … _clipboard


2004 Citroen Dispatch 2.0 Hdi

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#8 2019-05-29 12:10:02

vaz2121
Member
From: Glasgow Living:~ SW. Scotland
Registered: 2015-08-31
Posts: 1,311

Re: North Coast 500?

Ricko wrote:

Speeding, congestion and protest: the dark side of Scotland’s North Coast 500 route

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019 … _clipboard

Just exactly ........... As OAT said "Can't blame the locals for seeking to make the most of what could be a very valuable asset"

But you get Nothing for Nothing and this article is a side the locals didn't think of........

{Off topic but same vain people try on check out clothes for example in shop then go look and buy cheaper on line .......... But then complain the shop went bust and closed}

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#9 2019-08-23 00:07:59

OAT
Member
From: Borders/Dales
Registered: 2017-01-03
Posts: 903

Re: North Coast 500?

Better get a move on Ricko :-

MP suggests toll scheme to fund investment in NC500 route
https://stv.tv/news/highlands-islands/1 … 500-roads/

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#10 2019-08-26 18:34:24

Ricko
Member
From: SW Lancs
Registered: 2017-01-18
Posts: 334

Re: North Coast 500?

OAT wrote:

Better get a move on Ricko :-

MP suggests toll scheme to fund investment in NC500 route
https://stv.tv/news/highlands-islands/1 … 500-roads/

I was up near there yesterday, I nearly turned left to start it.


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#11 2019-08-26 22:39:52

OAT
Member
From: Borders/Dales
Registered: 2017-01-03
Posts: 903

Re: North Coast 500?

NC500.com's latest promo? :-

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