In my opinion , this being my 10th NC500 trip in the last 8 years this was the best one yet.
Clearly having the 3 main days all dry, mostly blue skies and sunshine made a big difference. Of course when you book a trip like this months in advance who knows what the weather is going to be like..
For me this is the first trip done in October..the rest have been May through September..
It was a revelation to have almost all the roads almost empty..the climb up to Applecross encountered no cars coming the opposite way!
A lack of camper vans, almost no motorcyclists, no cyclists and pretty few cars made the whole trip a joy..
As those who have done the trip know, being bogged down following an Arnold Clark stickered Peugeot or a lumbering 5m camper van is no join especially when the twats don’t obey the big blue police signs telling them to move over for faster traffic..
Similarly the lack of traffic coming the opposite way meant progress could be rapid, smooth and pretty stress less..
The roads were in pretty good condition, hardly any potholes ..people who winge can’t appreciate these are mountain roads in a remote part of the UK.
Sure if you drive off the edge of the road then it may hurt..
Cars with lowered suspension will suffer both on the bumps if you travel at speed and potential grounding …any car with stock ride height should be fine.
Hotel wise it’s more of a struggle…the demise in quality and increase in room rates means for next year Premier Inn will not be my go to option.
The Royal Hotel in Ullapool was pricey but reasonable with a great restaurant…the Ulbster Arms in Halkirk near Thurso was both reasonable price and excellent accommodation..plus great food…the Whitehouse in Fort Augustus was reasonable price and OK..the PI at Inverness West pricey and disappointing with unhappy staff as they restructure…
Everyone was pleased with the optional diversion off the A9 after Helmsdale through the UNESCO world heritage hinterland through to Altnahara and then to Lairg then Bonar Bridge down to Dingwall then to Drumnadrochit
For me starting in Scotland it was over a 1000 miles..our version of the NC500 was well over 600 miles but well worth it..
I think anymore than 6 cars is just too much on logistics, pace and just faff..
Thanks to Keith for setting a pace on the middle day that the Porsches couldn’t keep up…
Not sure how to better it next year..
A few pics in no great order…
Clearly having the 3 main days all dry, mostly blue skies and sunshine made a big difference. Of course when you book a trip like this months in advance who knows what the weather is going to be like..
For me this is the first trip done in October..the rest have been May through September..
It was a revelation to have almost all the roads almost empty..the climb up to Applecross encountered no cars coming the opposite way!
A lack of camper vans, almost no motorcyclists, no cyclists and pretty few cars made the whole trip a joy..
As those who have done the trip know, being bogged down following an Arnold Clark stickered Peugeot or a lumbering 5m camper van is no join especially when the twats don’t obey the big blue police signs telling them to move over for faster traffic..
Similarly the lack of traffic coming the opposite way meant progress could be rapid, smooth and pretty stress less..
The roads were in pretty good condition, hardly any potholes ..people who winge can’t appreciate these are mountain roads in a remote part of the UK.
Sure if you drive off the edge of the road then it may hurt..
Cars with lowered suspension will suffer both on the bumps if you travel at speed and potential grounding …any car with stock ride height should be fine.
Hotel wise it’s more of a struggle…the demise in quality and increase in room rates means for next year Premier Inn will not be my go to option.
The Royal Hotel in Ullapool was pricey but reasonable with a great restaurant…the Ulbster Arms in Halkirk near Thurso was both reasonable price and excellent accommodation..plus great food…the Whitehouse in Fort Augustus was reasonable price and OK..the PI at Inverness West pricey and disappointing with unhappy staff as they restructure…
Everyone was pleased with the optional diversion off the A9 after Helmsdale through the UNESCO world heritage hinterland through to Altnahara and then to Lairg then Bonar Bridge down to Dingwall then to Drumnadrochit
For me starting in Scotland it was over a 1000 miles..our version of the NC500 was well over 600 miles but well worth it..
I think anymore than 6 cars is just too much on logistics, pace and just faff..
Thanks to Keith for setting a pace on the middle day that the Porsches couldn’t keep up…
Not sure how to better it next year..
A few pics in no great order…
.
We've also been up there where you couldn't even see across the road due to the cloud cover
