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I'm seriously considering doing the NC500 this year. The roads and views look epic.

It will take a lot of planning, so before I do I was wondering if anyone has done it before and what tips you have.

Cheers!

I'm also planning on doing it this year I'll follow this thread

This site maybe of help - https://www.northcoast500.com/
If you join they give you a great map of the route

I trust the map is better than the one handed out by the Scottish Tourist Board, which was pretty dire (and unavailable in early June last year, we got ours from a helpful B&B owner part way round and used it only to fend off midges; see next comment).

The worst bit is the midges; evil, evil and evil.

Everything else is great to even better than great.

There was an extensive thread on this trip late last year?

We're looking at doing it this year in early June. Downloaded the app last week, looks a great route. Can't wait for it

idej_jedi wrote:I'm seriously considering doing the NC500 this year. The roads and views look epic.

It will take a lot of planning, so before I do I was wondering if anyone has done it before and what tips you have.

Cheers!

I've done most of ithe route on my motor bike , if you are doing it in the high season then booking accommodation is more or less a must, we were struggling to get somewhere in the more remote areas after leaving it late in the day. The other thing is be careful on the single track roads as there are so many blind corners and dips in the road. We were run off the road twice with the bike due to other cars flying round blind corners on our side of the single track roads!! So be aware. Other wise enjoy the stunning scenery.......and bring 'Midgie' repellent!!

Nick_in_Suffolk wrote:I trust the map is better than the one handed out by the Scottish Tourist Board, which was pretty dire (and unavailable in early June last year, we got ours from a helpful B&B owner part way round and used it only to fend off midges; see next comment).

The worst bit is the midges; evil, evil and evil.

Everything else is great to even better than great.

There was an extensive thread on this trip late last year?

The map is produced by the site and its excellent

Das882 wrote:

idej_jedi wrote:I'm seriously considering doing the NC500 this year. The roads and views look epic.

It will take a lot of planning, so before I do I was wondering if anyone has done it before and what tips you have.

Cheers!

I've done most of ithe route on my motor bike , if you are doing it in the high season then booking accommodation is more or less a must, we were struggling to get somewhere in the more remote areas after leaving it late in the day. The other thing is be careful on the single track roads as there are so many blind corners and dips in the road. We were run off the road twice with the bike due to other cars flying round blind corners on our side of the single track roads!! So be aware. Other wise enjoy the stunning scenery.......and bring 'Midgie' repellent!!

Thanks for info! Some useful insight here - I hate midgies!

We were lucky to go with experienced folk but we learnt a bit from each of our NC500 runs last year. . . here's a few comments
I'd get booked up as soon as possible unless you're going early/late in the season. Depends how you want to do it but we managed 3 days for the route with enough coffee/viewing stops. Allow time to get to your starting point - it's a surprisingly long way up to the North Coast We had a stay at Inverness for the start of our first NC500 run and Fort William for our second run. 1st run stays - Inverness/Ullapool/Wick/Perth 2nd run stays - Fort William/Ullapool/Grantown on Spey (we missed out sections in the NE on the 2nd run following decisions made by the group) 10am starts after a good breakfast and about 5 hours driving made for well balanced days with plenty of opportunities to stop and stare. . .
The roads are excellent and varied but take care - tight sections, reduced sight lines and wildlife can all cause issues - I found having a brilliant navigator (Steph ) a great help. Heavy goods drivers get fed up with having to pull over at times so I'd let them through on the single track parts - (a lot easier for us to get off the road and out the way and then make up time). There are signs informing drivers to allow others to overtake but be prepared to follow a local (we had a couple of sections where a pick up and a then a Fiesta amazed us by their road knowledge and consequent driving skill in Scotland - then it dawns that it's probably the only one they travel every day hence their insights and speed). The road surfaces are also varied and we had quite a few paint chips and even a damaged windscreen on one car due to stone chippings during our first group run - not as bad on the second run later in the year.
We booked meals at the hotels we stayed at and it was very relaxing being able to spend a great day driving and then park up at a hotel, facing a leisurely bath or shower and then a cooked meal all ready - really convenient and relaxing. (Going out and finding food is fairly easy - though sometimes busy). Have your Zed prepared and checked before the run - sounds obvious but you really are out amongst the sticks on some parts of the route and help and supports going to take time. Mobile coverage is patchy in places. Best to refuel morning or evening for each day. Recharge your camera batteries - you'll use them

Nick_in_Suffolk wrote:I trust the map is better than the one handed out by the Scottish Tourist Board, which was pretty dire (and unavailable in early June last year, we got ours from a helpful B&B owner part way round and used it only to fend off midges; see next comment).

The worst bit is the midges; evil, evil and evil.

Everything else is great to even better than great.

There was an extensive thread on this trip late last year?

https://www.smidgeup.com/

This stuff is the best repellent you will find. I came across it last year when I was up in the Highlands doing some hill walking, I wouldn't head up there without it now.

paulgs1000 wrote:We were lucky to go with experienced folk but we learnt a bit from each of our NC500 runs last year. . . here's a few comments
I'd get booked up as soon as possible unless you're going early/late in the season. Depends how you want to do it but we managed 3 days for the route with enough coffee/viewing stops. Allow time to get to your starting point - it's a surprisingly long way up to the North Coast We had a stay at Inverness for the start of our first NC500 run and Fort William for our second run. 1st run stays - Inverness/Ullapool/Wick/Perth 2nd run stays - Fort William/Ullapool/Grantown on Spey (we missed out sections in the NE on the 2nd run following decisions made by the group) 10am starts after a good breakfast and about 5 hours driving made for well balanced days with plenty of opportunities to stop and stare. . .
The roads are excellent and varied but take care - tight sections, reduced sight lines and wildlife can all cause issues - I found having a brilliant navigator (Steph ) a great help. Heavy goods drivers get fed up with having to pull over at times so I'd let them through on the single track parts - (a lot easier for us to get off the road and out the way and then make up time). There are signs informing drivers to allow others to overtake but be prepared to follow a local (we had a couple of sections where a pick up and a then a Fiesta amazed us by their road knowledge and consequent driving skill in Scotland - then it dawns that it's probably the only one they travel every day hence their insights and speed). The road surfaces are also varied and we had quite a few paint chips and even a damaged windscreen on one car due to stone chippings during our first group run - not as bad on the second run later in the year.
We booked meals at the hotels we stayed at and it was very relaxing being able to spend a great day driving and then park up at a hotel, facing a leisurely bath or shower and then a cooked meal all ready - really convenient and relaxing. (Going out and finding food is fairly easy - though sometimes busy). Have your Zed prepared and checked before the run - sounds obvious but you really are out amongst the sticks on some parts of the route and help and supports going to take time. Mobile coverage is patchy in places. Best to refuel morning or evening for each day. Recharge your camera batteries - you'll use them

That is a fantastic write up and exactly what I was hoping for (along the other insight provided by other forum members)

Really appreciate it - cheers!

paulgs1000 wrote:We were lucky to go with experienced folk but we learnt a bit from each of our NC500 runs last year. . . here's a few comments
I'd get booked up as soon as possible unless you're going early/late in the season. Depends how you want to do it but we managed 3 days for the route with enough coffee/viewing stops. Allow time to get to your starting point - it's a surprisingly long way up to the North Coast We had a stay at Inverness for the start of our first NC500 run and Fort William for our second run. 1st run stays - Inverness/Ullapool/Wick/Perth 2nd run stays - Fort William/Ullapool/Grantown on Spey (we missed out sections in the NE on the 2nd run following decisions made by the group) 10am starts after a good breakfast and about 5 hours driving made for well balanced days with plenty of opportunities to stop and stare. . .
The roads are excellent and varied but take care - tight sections, reduced sight lines and wildlife can all cause issues - I found having a brilliant navigator (Steph ) a great help. Heavy goods drivers get fed up with having to pull over at times so I'd let them through on the single track parts - (a lot easier for us to get off the road and out the way and then make up time). There are signs informing drivers to allow others to overtake but be prepared to follow a local (we had a couple of sections where a pick up and a then a Fiesta amazed us by their road knowledge and consequent driving skill in Scotland - then it dawns that it's probably the only one they travel every day hence their insights and speed). The road surfaces are also varied and we had quite a few paint chips and even a damaged windscreen on one car due to stone chippings during our first group run - not as bad on the second run later in the year.
We booked meals at the hotels we stayed at and it was very relaxing being able to spend a great day driving and then park up at a hotel, facing a leisurely bath or shower and then a cooked meal all ready - really convenient and relaxing. (Going out and finding food is fairly easy - though sometimes busy). Have your Zed prepared and checked before the run - sounds obvious but you really are out amongst the sticks on some parts of the route and help and supports going to take time. Mobile coverage is patchy in places. Best to refuel morning or evening for each day. Recharge your camera batteries - you'll use them

About sums it up Paul. Would love to do again at some point.

Following porkers is what chips windscreens

srhutch wrote:
Would love to do again at some point.

Absolutely

Nick_in_Suffolk wrote:I trust the map is better than the one handed out by the Scottish Tourist Board, which was pretty dire (and unavailable in early June last year, we got ours from a helpful B&B owner part way round and used it only to fend off midges; see next comment).

The worst bit is the midges; evil, evil and evil.

Everything else is great to even better than great.

There was an extensive thread on this trip late last year?

Midges in the Highlands can be pretty bad,yet it's not really an issue in most of the rest of Scotland.
The excellent roads in the Highlands make up for it,and if you are in your car,they can't keep up, lol.

Bits of the nc500 are a bit boring,but others.are superb.....But then most of Scotland has superb driving roads.
Spoilt for choice up here,which is nice,and probably why so many people come from the rest of the UK to enjoy them

srhutch wrote:

paulgs1000 wrote:We were lucky to go with experienced folk but we learnt a bit from each of our NC500 runs last year. . . here's a few comments
I'd get booked up as soon as possible unless you're going early/late in the season. Depends how you want to do it but we managed 3 days for the route with enough coffee/viewing stops. Allow time to get to your starting point - it's a surprisingly long way up to the North Coast We had a stay at Inverness for the start of our first NC500 run and Fort William for our second run. 1st run stays - Inverness/Ullapool/Wick/Perth 2nd run stays - Fort William/Ullapool/Grantown on Spey (we missed out sections in the NE on the 2nd run following decisions made by the group) 10am starts after a good breakfast and about 5 hours driving made for well balanced days with plenty of opportunities to stop and stare. . .
The roads are excellent and varied but take care - tight sections, reduced sight lines and wildlife can all cause issues - I found having a brilliant navigator (Steph ) a great help. Heavy goods drivers get fed up with having to pull over at times so I'd let them through on the single track parts - (a lot easier for us to get off the road and out the way and then make up time). There are signs informing drivers to allow others to overtake but be prepared to follow a local (we had a couple of sections where a pick up and a then a Fiesta amazed us by their road knowledge and consequent driving skill in Scotland - then it dawns that it's probably the only one they travel every day hence their insights and speed). The road surfaces are also varied and we had quite a few paint chips and even a damaged windscreen on one car due to stone chippings during our first group run - not as bad on the second run later in the year.
We booked meals at the hotels we stayed at and it was very relaxing being able to spend a great day driving and then park up at a hotel, facing a leisurely bath or shower and then a cooked meal all ready - really convenient and relaxing. (Going out and finding food is fairly easy - though sometimes busy). Have your Zed prepared and checked before the run - sounds obvious but you really are out amongst the sticks on some parts of the route and help and supports going to take time. Mobile coverage is patchy in places. Best to refuel morning or evening for each day. Recharge your camera batteries - you'll use them

About sums it up Paul. Would love to do again at some point.

Following porkers is what chips windscreens

Didn't know you had went on those runs,srhutch......
Hopefully in future these runs won't be kept off forum