The Nearly NC500 Trip

metal licker · Post by **metal licker** » Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:25 pm

Heading north to Scotland in a week or so for five days, doing most of the NC500 only missing the loop back to Inverness

Decided to go anticlockwise and get over what I've been told was the least inspiring part first
Thanks for the advice given by a few nice chaps on here

Pics to follow.........
The Route - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Leith ... 864237!3e0

shortfuse 2 · Post by **shortfuse 2** » Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:37 pm

have a great time plenty of pictures we are doing it this time next year .
all the best

Jph009 · Post by **Jph009** » Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:44 pm

How many days are you spending travelling around the route?

I am actually heading up there this weekend to do the NC500 with the RX8 OC.

Did it clockwise last year, absolutely fantastic roads and scenery. The Inverness to Wick section isnt the best but we went off on some of the backroads instead which made things better. Only just going to miss you but hey, would like to try and arrange a OC run next year maybe

This is a little footgae from my trip last year

metal licker · Post by **metal licker** » Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:55 pm

shortfuse 2 wrote:have a great time plenty of pictures we are doing it this time next year .
all the best

Thank you

Jph009 wrote:How many days are you spending travelling around the route?

I am actually heading up there this weekend to do the NC500 with the RX8 OC.

Did it clockwise last year, absolutely fantastic roads and scenery. The Inverness to Wick section isnt the best but we went off on some of the backroads instead which made things better. Only just going to miss you but hey, would like to try and arrange a OC run next year maybe

This is a little footgae from my trip last year

The plan...... Leith - Dornoch Castle hotel - Old School at Kinlochbervie - The Torridon at Torridon - Glasgow

Jph009 · Post by **Jph009** » Tue Sep 06, 2016 9:12 pm

Nice

Looking forward to the pics!

We are doing:
Falkirk > Inverness > Ullapool
Ullapool > Wick
Wick > Falkirk

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Wed Sep 07, 2016 10:55 pm

Not sure if your turbo needs super on a daily basis Alan but you're welcome to this octane booster if it's any use to you on the NC500 trip.I had it for emergencies for a vehicle I've now moved on so surplus to requirements.

Filtermike · Post by **Filtermike** » Wed Sep 07, 2016 11:22 pm

I would say give us a call but it sounds like I might be in our factory in France when you are up

Nick_in_Suffolk · Post by **Nick_in_Suffolk** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 4:00 am

We did the 500 this year in June, going anti-clockwise, primarily because experience of driving the Inverness Wick section many years ago had been so dull. That section of the road was this time made more tolerable by diverting through Dornoch and later by visiting Duncansby Point and Dunnet Head instead of stopping in John O'Groats. The last 60 miles or so back into Inverness was pretty uninspiring as well.

People we spoke to along the route mostly seemed to be travelling in the clockwise direction and some of those had driven it a few times before and claimed the views were more impressive when seen 'in reverse.' Almost impossible to gainsay and anyway once west of Thurso the views are pretty much universally stunning whichever direction you are looking.

At this time of year I imagine the midge problem is much reduced. I still bear the scars of a night in Scourie and an open window to try and promote some air flow.

metal licker · Post by **metal licker** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 8:31 am

Highlander thanks for the offer but I've always just took pot luck with petrol and its made no change that I could notice

Filtermike its a bugger that work thing always getting in the way

Nick_in_Suffolk hoping the midges are just about finished for the winter but we've got plenty of spray just in case

Japseroony · Post by **Japseroony** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:13 pm

Just arrived back yesterday from doing the NC500 anti-clockwise and have to say what a special route it is.

Get some "Skin so Soft" from Avon if you can as believe me the midges are still out in abundance.

We did the following;

Newcastle to Invergordon
Invergordon to Borgie
Borgie to Leadmore
Ledmore to Inverness
Inverness to Newcastle

5 nights stay and 2 days getting there and back with 3 days doing the 500 - think a further day would have been good to allow more time for stops/exploration but was a great trip anyway.

Be careful on the tight bits as some of the locals fly around and like to be in the middle of the road and some bits get very busy so lots of pulling over allowing traffic through.

Have a great time

metal licker · Post by **metal licker** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 7:28 am

The day has come off to Leith this morning and hoping the weather gods are with us

Got to have a little tune to get us into the mood..........

Nick_in_Suffolk · Post by **Nick_in_Suffolk** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:36 am

You will enjoy it. And I trust the midges are not too bothersome.

ZermattV · Post by **ZermattV** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:53 am

Have a great trip mate - I rate the Applecross Inn highly for lunch - Seafood is brilliant

Bonne Route

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 11:21 am

Enjoy your trip,hope the weather's good for photo's,sightseeing,etc
Aultbea Hotel good for food,accomodation.......but pricey for rural scotland!!

paulgs1000 · Post by **paulgs1000** » Fri Sep 16, 2016 4:44 pm

Have a great drive Alan!

I had 'Shoot To Thrill' on when we headed for the NC

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