If you have a choice, I’d advise the A1M simply because it’s broadly the case that the eastern side of the United Kingdom is drier. It pissed with rain the entire time and we got eaten alive by midges. My Dad and I chose the twin room for our motorcycle trip. Then, at Shiel Bridge, I took the old military road to Glenelg. During our time of traveling the NC500, Cam and I ran into a number of motorcyclists who were torn as to whether they had made the right decision in choosing to tackle the loop clockwise or counter-clockwise. While lying awake at 5am with the tent being battered by the wind & rain I looked at the weather radar and decided to try and beat the worst of the storm by heading directly south. See more ideas about north coast 500, nc500, north highlands. You are in Scotland to see it, so actually take the time to do so. A cheeky 760 miles over 4 days riding in weather ranging from fantastic sunshine to seriously stormy. I selfishly get to go where I want, stop where I want, ride how I like etc. Please use the login form below if you already have an account or fill in the user details to create a new one. The North Coast 500 has a lot of single track roads – see our advice for how to drive on single tracks roads to help you prepare if you’re not familiar with these. Sat navs are great, don’t get me wrong but on the NC500 they’re use is limited. Equally, you could head up and do the whole thing in one (very, very long) day, packing sandwiches and only spending money on fuel. I am the storm.” I’m not sure how many times I said, “A storm is coming. We toured this route in just 7-days and this is the perfect amount of time to do it again. ROAD TRIP: Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway On a BMW K 1600 B It’s always nice to chat to people, especially when travelling solo. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! One of America’s best motorcycle road states, beautiful Virginia has it all in terms of natural diversity and one-of-a-kind attractions. The tourist board likes to refer to it as Scotland’s Route 66, but such a description only serves to show the tourist board’s ignorance of Route 66. What to see and do. A storm is coming. that I estimate would set you back in excess of £1,800. It is not well-marked enough to just ride up and follow signs. There looked to be a lull in the storm but the forecast was serious rain by lunchtime. May 25, 2016 - The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland's magnificence to the world. Dinner was Super Noodles a la poulet in the JetBoil. Scotland is a shockingly expensive place to visit when compared with, say, anywhere sunny. Pack several pairs of gloves. I like travelling through remote, quiet places and this road definitely ticks those boxes. My buddy, Cam, and I rode the whole of the NC500 back in 2016, a year after the route was officially launched, and I’ve visited sections several times since – most recently in November of last year. Camping editor Iain Duff takes on the North Coast 500 – a spectacular 516 mile circular route round the most northerly tip of the UK mainland. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s iconic coastal route that covers over 500 miles of the stunning North Highlands. I then headed over to the fantastic Glenelg Inn for a pint and watched the sun setting over Skye. Although this is technically not a “wild camping” spot on the NC500, it is still a highly recommended camping grounds for … We did our nc500 trip on a serious budget, wild camping most of the way round which meant our only costs were fuel £180, food £80, 1 night at a campsite £12, some stops for food & coffee and various donations for car parks & sights on the way round – Our total spends were £292 for the 2 of us – you could of course splurge out a little more than we did. I was pretty drenched by the time I got to the Youth Hostel. There are a handful of companies in Inverness from which you can rent a bike if you’re inclined to travel up via train (Caledonian Sleeper, yo!). Camps Site vs Wild Camping on the NC500. There are a couple of places you can rent motorcycles along the North Coast 500. Take a look at our guide to wild camping in your motorhome for more information. It was howling a hoolie (blowing a gale) so getting the tent up solo was a challenge. Two people and all their gear can be a pretty tight squeeze in some hotel or B&B rooms, though, so you really should be sure that you’re comfortable with the person. It is the perfect trip for motorhomes, cycling, hikers, road trippers and much more. The NC500 route starts and ends at Inverness, then you spend your time traveling around the coast of northern Scotland taking in locations such as John o Groats, the furthest point in the UK! All Roads Lead To Inverness. NC500, the coastal route round Ross-shire, Caithness and Sutherland is very popular with campers, enjoying the flexibility of bringing their own accommodation. Unfortunately the sound appears to have gone Awol. Yet hotel rooms in the summer are priced at a premium. Additionally, you’ll find that everyone else is stopping often, too. They are available at the tourist information centre at Inverness free of charge, and can be found at other small businesses along the route. ... For camping / caravaning, see our suggested NC500 camping itinerary for suggestions. If you’re traveling via plane, you’ll almost certainly find it more affordable to head to Edinburgh or Glasgow, which have far more options when it comes to motorcycle hire. Experience the joy of undertaking the North Coast 500 route by motorbike. Applecross Campsite. If you’re arranging motorhome hire in Scotland for the trip, they can probably supply these, but always check first. For this pristine white sand beach, take the A838 east from Durness. Things get better as you push west of Thurso, however, and by the time you’re making your way down the western coast it seems just about every decent-sized town has at least one place worth popping into. No sarcastic tone or hidden joke here. #13 Best Value of 14 Camping in Delaware. It has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to the renowned ‘Route 66’ and doesn’t disappoint. This is a fantastic, wild & remote part of Scotland, especially riding through Torridon valley. And the warrior whispers back? But we tend to avoid camp sites. Check out this inspirational video made by our lovely customers Stephen & Lynsey Stewart on their Summer 2018 Camper Trip. Expect a lot of rain and expect cold. While packing away the tent and making breakfast I had a chat with an RSPB warden from a nearby tent and a couple of ladies in a camper that had appeared next to my tent during the night. To ensure you’re following the official NC500 route however, (and not google’s fastest route), you’ll want the Official NC500 map. 5 talking about this. We did this run in April and then October this year.Both runs were brilliant, i did prefer the opposite way round as we live in the west coast and therefore cover a bit more than the title suggests. Découvrez la nouvelle génération de motos et scooters Honda et leurs dernières technologies. My RST Paragon touring gear is pretty good but even the most expensive gear will eventually let in water. The plan was to ride the top & east side of the NC500 then south to the youth hostel at Braemar, stay the night then head to Edinburgh in the morning. We experienced the NC500 route last summer (I wrote a daily diary and also about my top ten moments), and loved it so much we chose to go back this summer on the motorbikes.I love the freedom of motorcycle camping, and for that week up in the very north of mainland Great Britain I was as far away from anywhere as I could be, enjoying each moment, each … I then popped down to a special place called Manuelas Wee Bakery - it’s like a little Hansel & Gretel village in the Highlands. I’m annoyed that I didn’t take any photo’s; it’s a really nice, friendly place and the food was great. We’d not long watched the latest Mission Impossible film, Fallout and there‘s a line in the film: “Fate whispers to the warrior? NC500 & Our Route. 0 reviews #14 Best Value of 14 Camping in Delaware. Here’s a map of distilleries; be careful about riding if inclined to tour one of them and sample the product. View, print and download the touring motorcycle route 'North Coast 500 route' from Dromos (514 mi). Visiting Prague early last month put the travel bug in me and I’ve been chomping at the bit to take the Street Bob on another road trip. It was then back over the Mam Ratagan Pass and onto Eilean Donan Castle. Although the town of Dornoch wasn’t too far from our starting point in Inverness, we didn’t want to pack too much into our first day, so we pulled into the Dornoch Campsite and called it a day! Despite its being aimed at tourists, it’s a route I recommend and one I’m very seriously thinking of tackling again this summer. Never-ending back roads, wide meandering country tracks and beautiful bends through some of Scotland's finest coastal scenery are just a few things you can expect along the North Coast 500.Strap yourself in for the road trip of a lifetime. I had some unexpectedly healthy green food and a small glass of Pinot Noir. Wild camping (or more accurately informal camping) in a motorhome is possible all over Scotland though and so long as you apply some common sense, you won’t have a problem. What We Can Afford: Keeway Superlight 125, Triumph Shares More Trident Images and I’m Underwhelmed, If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the time, The European Adventures of Shuffles, Jon, and Me, Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway On a BMW K 1600 B, Exploring the Indian Scout Sixty’s Irish Heritage. After a long hot shower I headed to the restaurant & bar for some hot food and a well needed Guinness or two. Wild camping spots in Scotland appear to be plentyful and most we have found have amazing views. But to make sure you enjoy it all it’s vital that you come prepared for the worst. It’s not on the official NC500 route but going “off-piste“ is where the hidden gems are. I stopped in Inverness for some fuel and a quick bit to eat at Tiso’s cafe then headed over the Lecht Road to Braemar. For example, Saltire Motorcycles in Edinburgh (again, not an endorsement). So, the sky really is the limit. If you’re a UK resident, get your lazy ass on your own bike and invest the time riding to the start point. This blog is for you guys, highlighting our wild camping NC500 spots around the northern coast of Scotland! Camping on the golf course will lead to campers being asked to relocate. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s iconic coastal route that covers over 500 miles of the stunning North Highlands. Jan 20, 2020 - Explore Rob Riley's board "NC500" on Pinterest. There’s a pub & restaurant just up the hill called Am Fuaran (the well). It’s a nice traditional pub with a friendly atmosphere. I then rode south, briskly! I am the storm.” but it kept me amused and pushing on in such poor conditions. Here’s a Google Maps outline of the route, here’s a paper map, and here’s a downloadable file for your GPS. Take me back. We invite you and your family to explore the best campgrounds in the state, offering a premier camping experience with top quality RV sites, tent camping and cabin rentals. On one corner that had overhanging trees (leaves etc on the road) the back end stepped out. Known alternatively as the Scottish Route 66, this heavenly drive has quickly become the face of Scottish road trips. I got chatting to a family and they advised me to head out to Cove up the coast. My 4 day, 570 mile, camping motorcycle tour of the famous NC500 route around the north coast of Scotland. I headed north on the A890 to Strathcarron (a great little road) then west onto the A896 - now on the official NC500 route. Jan 13, 2018 - minimising equipment for motorcycle camping . 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