Scottish 500

[DaveB with a Z3]

Anyone done this ?
http://www.northcoast500.com

 

[andyglym]

@Stevo7682

 

[Stevo7682]

Done bits of it stunning run in most parts.
Go at the wrong time ie peak season and crammed with bikes and even worse motorhomes ( a lot of these roads are narrow) most of the towns are small so accommodation limited.
But go at the right time book accommodation in advance then highly recommend going

 

[DaveB with a Z3]

Thanks Stevo , trying to convince the wife to come with me at the moment

 

[Stevo7682]

It is a long way north to start point at Inverness is a 4hr 30 min 260 mile drive from Carlisle so if you know how far you are from Carlisle that will give you an idea of the travel involved.
Edit
But the scenery up to Inverness is pretty stunning in itself

 

[DaveB with a Z3]

3 hours to Carlisle for me so it's a days drive to the starting point.
After discussing with the gaffer , I'd be going alone which sounds better still

 

[Jjim]

Let me know if this gets off the ground, as I’d be interested.

 

[Stevo7682]

Half the hotel bill
But seriously if the opportunity arises you will not be disappointed and if you get get a bit of good weather even better.

 

[911SC]

Did it this exactly this time last year with the wife! Absolutely brilliant drive. Chickened out of taking the Z3M ( not enough luggage space for wife) or the 911 and favoured the 330D which was ideal. It's a long long way from Somerset just to the start but once you hit Glen Coe it's fabulous. Don't forget to re-enact the Skyfall shot in Glen Etive before you start.

We found some superb B&Bs en route. We did it anti clockwise and managed to avoid too much traffic and midges which can spoil this part of the world. Don't over do the daily mileage - I kept pulling over to take photos so didn't want to drive more than 5/6 hours a day. We had four brilliant days weather- wise then three days of rain. Spent a couple of days on Skye at the end. PM me if you need any recommendations on places to stay etc.

Go for it!

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Some years ago now, I did the East coast section as far as Thurso and back and the West section as far as Ullapool and back, while based near Loch Ness, both done in long separate day trips .

Highlights for me on the east coast trip were seeing the dolphins in Cromarty Bay, Donrobin Castle and the Scapa Flow museum at John o'Groats .

From what I can remember Helmsdale onwards is rather monotonous scenery wise, especially when you have been spoilt by the wonders of the central highlands and west coast, particularly Torridon, Glen Affric, Skye, Glen Nevis, Glen Finnan, Glen Coe, I could go on and on for hours with this .

 

[abh29]

It is a long way north to start point at Inverness is a 4hr 30 min 260 mile drive from Carlisle so if you know how far you are from Carlisle that will give you an idea of the travel involved.
Edit
But the scenery up to Inverness is pretty stunning in itself

A few years ago I had a contract in Inverness , the road from Sterling up is fantastic ,but nearly every person I had on the job got done for speeding driving up. It was as bad as North Wales for the BiB hiding with speed guns..

Would sometimes go long way over to Skye on trip back. Unfortunately did not have a vert at that time , used 335d, it was while doing that contract I first started using Winter Tyres.

But this trip needs considering for spring , not been in Scotland since a VERY wet New Year 3 years ago in Lawers,it was about the wettest run back down the A74 and M6 I have ever encountered.

 

[Grumps]

Why don't you start an event page and see if you get any interest? You may get a few put their names in the hat.