Here’s a Google Maps outline of the route, here’s a paper map, and here’s a downloadable file for your GPS. "Our advice is that visitors should only stay overnight in designated sites and they should book in advance in order that their holiday is planned ahead. View, print and download the touring motorcycle route 'North Coast 500 route' from Dromos (514 mi). Motorcycle Chat NC500 Scottish route 66 ... 30 Dec 2019 #1 Hi guys I am thinking of giving the NC500 a run in July, I was just looking to see if anyone else has done this and has any advice on the do's and don'ts ? The NC500 route officially starts/ends at Inverness Castle, where you’ll conveniently find free motorcycle parking on the road. Cliquez ici pour découvrir nos motos et scooters 2021 et ce qui les rend uniques. My RST Paragon touring gear is pretty good but even the most expensive gear will eventually let in water. When riding in Scotland make sure you have proper wet weather gear; you never know when it’ll turn for the worst. The NC500 route officially starts/ends at Inverness Castle, where you’ll conveniently find free motorcycle parking on the road. So, the sky really is the limit. If you want to give wild camping a bash then Glenelg is a good place to start. Just reading your VERY, VERY excellent and comprehensive info on the NC500, including your 7 day camping itinerary. Problem is, I’m poor. It was a new moon that evening, so we were hoping to get clear dark skies in … Don’t frustrate yourself by getting into the “Trying To Get Somewhere” mindset; you’re there. General NC500 Tips 27. There are plenty of camp sites to choose from. Daviot Luxury Pods Daviot, Inverness, Highlands Modern glamping pods with en-suites and furnishings set 6 miles from Inverness and near the NC500. 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. It has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to the renowned ‘Route 66’ and doesn’t disappoint. Look for a hotel that has a pub or serves dinner, then be sure to book a dinner reservation along with your room. I had planned to explore more but with near zero visibility I went straight to Sango Sands Oasis campsite. NC500 & Our Route. Unfortunately the sound appears to have gone Awol. But to make sure you enjoy it all it’s vital that you come prepared for the worst. Or at least it moved north and missed Braemar. For those who are not such a huge fan of the wild side of Scotland, we will also list the best NC500 campsites for motorhomes, caravans and tents in this article. My Dad and I chose the twin room for our motorcycle trip. I’m a single 75 year old seasoned camping traveller (with car, not RV) and a (notionally) 6-man tent. April 10, 2019 at 2:36 pm . It was still only 4ish so I decided to ride the last 100 miles home through Glenshee. Take me back. Motorbike Camping Tour around Scotland's North Coast 500 Route.On a Suzuki V Strom 650. Camping on the NC500 Bunhcrew Caravan Park, Inverness The NC500 officially starts (and finishes) in Inverness, and Bunchrew is just on the outskirts of the large sprawling city which makes it an ideal location for your first or last night. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s iconic coastal route that covers over 500 miles of the stunning North Highlands. This detailed day-by-day 1 week North Coast 500 road trip itinerary covers all the basic details (mileage, general route) and sightseeing highlights along the approximately 500 mile route. If you are staying in hotels or B&Bs, my experiences in Scotland have taught me that places outside of towns are the best value for money. If you zip around trying to make progress you run the risk of being caught off guard, either by someone pulling out of a scenic stop or attempting to make one without warning. I then headed up through Fort William then west at Invergarry on the A87 towards Skye. The first day of our itinerary has you exploring the city of Inverness and … Motorcycle It’s all about the journey! If you’re arranging motorhome hire in Scotland for the trip, they can probably supply these, but always check first. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Applecross Campsite. Look out for The Secret Tea Garden / Assynt Aromas on the loop. However it’s apparent that many on the route don’t know all the options for overnight stops and the local issues about disposal of wastes. 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. Firstly, which season are you embarking in? See more ideas about nc500, scotland road trip, north coast 500. Not the NC500 exploration that I’d planned but a memorable day all the same. What with all the other clutter I take, the thought of making/breaking camp EACH NIGHT is a bit daunting. Because there are so many variables to the NC500 this should not be seen as a comprehensive guide but simply encouragement for you to check it out. If beach camping is something that you are looking for on your NC500 road trip, then the Mellon Udrigle beach is the perfect place for you. They will have more character and often be more affordable. My Dad and I chose the twin room for our motorcycle trip. The United Kingdom has 15 national parks and you’re pretty much guaranteed to hit at least two of them no matter where you’re riding from. Simon is the editor of Ride, however, so you may be able to find roughly similar routes on the magazine’s website. You really can’t do too … This is one of my favourite roads; a great combo of “spirited riding“ and amazing scenery. The stay was relaxing, welcoming, and much needed after our long northbound two day trip on motorbikes, before starting our two-day circular NC500 route. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. On one corner that had overhanging trees (leaves etc on the road) the back end stepped out. A cheeky 760 miles over 4 days riding in weather ranging from fantastic sunshine to seriously stormy. For me, travelling on a motorbike, especially self-sufficient with camping gear, is the very definition of freedom. There are only a few parts of Scotland that I’ve not explored yet and the Achiltibuie peninsula was one of them. 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. 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. But we tend to avoid camp sites. I’m annoyed that I didn’t take any photo’s; it’s a really nice, friendly place and the food was great. 2. If you’re traveling along the eastern coast and spot a cafe or pub that looks nice, and you are even the least bit peckish, you should definitely stop because you won’t find another place for quite some time. On the east coast, the easiest food is to be found in the larger towns but even then the pickins are slim; lower your standards. Take a look at the map below! It’s always nice to chat to people, especially when travelling solo. See this NC500 camping itinerary for a suggested itinerary, camping advice, and list of campsites. It is located 45 minutes west of Tongue. 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. You just have to hope you get the weather. It has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to the renowned ‘Route 66’ and doesn’t disappoint. You should only be doing that, though, if you are coming from another country. Pine Tree Campground. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Today’s lunch stop was the Bridge Cottage Cafe at Poolewe. I then rode south, briskly! There are a couple of places you can rent motorcycles along the North Coast 500. While I sat watching the storm out the window and drinking my beer, I started hatching a plan B…. There’s a pub & restaurant just up the hill called Am Fuaran (the well). Experience the joy of undertaking the North Coast 500 route by motorbike. Being in the Cairngorms National Park it’s an outdoor enthusiast hotspot so they have a great walk-in drying room. After lunch, it started to rain heavily and the fog came down. The North Coast 500 beaches are impeccable. If you’re from the UK, you have certainly heard of the North Coast 500 by now. It has been dubbed Scotland's answer to the renowned 'Route 66' and doesn't disappoint. Kylesku bridge, Ardvreck Castle, Durbeg loop, The Secret Tea Garden, Durness, Torridon & … 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! Sat navs are great, don’t get me wrong but on the NC500 they’re use is limited. Route planning - you can make your NC500 route planning as easy or as complex as you want. Although this is technically not a “wild camping” spot on the NC500, it is still a highly recommended camping grounds for … My apologies for not being able to provide an internet link to the route. Stac Pollaidh (stack polly) looks epic - I’m looking forward to climbing it even though it’s not a Munro. The payoff is that you’ll be hit with views so incredible you’ll start swearing in disbelief. Our motorhome is very self sufficient and that’s the way we like it. We toured this route in just 7-days and this is the perfect amount of time to do it again. It’s called Port a Bhaigh (port of the bay) and, as the name suggest, it’s right on the coast overlooking the sea. The NC500 is not a single highway designed to move commerce between previously disparate communities; it is an arbitrary collection of previously existing roads (some dating back to Roman times) linked to encourage tourists. I selfishly get to go where I want, stop where I want, ride how I like etc. An alternative is camping. One of America’s best motorcycle road states, beautiful Virginia has it all in terms of natural diversity and one-of-a-kind attractions. Often touted as the Scottish equivalent to the USA's Route 66, it's a 500 mile loop, that takes you around the coastline of the Scottish highlands, taking in some of the country's best scenery and a good dose of demanding gradients. I got out of my biking gear, left it to dry, had a long hot shower and headed to the newly refurbished Fife Arms Hotel. that I estimate would set you back in excess of £1,800. Inverness to the Black Isle. For this pristine white sand beach, take the A838 east from Durness. We recently came across this brilliant map containing wild camping and pub stopovers for campervans doing the North Coast 500. So pack your wet weather gear. It is important to plan ahead! You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, but the general rule is that you’re allowed to camp anywhere that isn’t fenced off. From there you can head off in either direction; it’s up to you which you choose first. Wild camping spots in Scotland appear to be plentyful and most we have found have amazing views. 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. If you do rent a campervan, I would recommend getting the smallest size you need as some sideroads are not accessible to larger vehicles. Right near the start of the North Coast 500 (NC500) route, this hotel had a good choice of twin, double and king size rooms. We love seeing all of your adventures and can’t wait to see what beauty you discover in the north of Scotland. We’d visited Glenelg recently and found out that the beach just past the village is a community campsite and the village hall has pay showers & fresh water taps. Between mountains and sea, begin your NC500 adventure by exploring the capital of the Highlands. I had lunch there and a little Robin Redbreast joined me for some oatcakes! Login Form. As with just about everything in motorcycling, the phrase, “If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the time” applies. This took me on a road I’d never been on; the A835 to Lairg and it was fantastic. If you are looking for stunning landscapes, fascinating history, endless horizons, ancient castles, golden beaches and crystal-clear water, all wrapped up in a 500-mile road trip, then the NC500 is for you. I’ve driven & ridden through Glencoe countless times but this time was special as it’s rare that the weather is so good. See more ideas about motorcycle camping, motorcycle, motorcycle travel. The route begins and ends in Inverness. So, any two-wheeled adventure will have to be kept within the don’t-have-to-pay-for-a-ferry confines of Her Majesty’s United Kingdom. That may not be what you want if you’re several days into an adventure – eg, having traveled up from the far south of the United Kingdom – and starting to feel tired. The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s iconic coastal route that covers over 500 miles of the stunning North Highlands. It was then back over the Mam Ratagan Pass and onto Eilean Donan Castle. Camping on the golf course will lead to campers being asked to relocate. I headed north on the A890 to Strathcarron (a great little road) then west onto the A896 - now on the official NC500 route. Then, at Shiel Bridge, I took the old military road to Glenelg. If time’s not on your side, you’ll be stuck enjoying the UK’s fine motorway system, which means choosing either the M6 or the A1M to make your way to the border. At the tip, just north of Cove, is the Arctic Convoy Memorial and remnants of a WW2 camp and battlements. I then popped down to a special place called Manuelas Wee Bakery - it’s like a little Hansel & Gretel village in the Highlands. This is my attempt to help. Buckle your seat belts! View, print and download the touring motorcycle route 'North Coast 500 route' from Dromos (514 mi). We’ve said it before, but research, research, research! Experience the joy of undertaking the North Coast 500 route by motorbike. We’re about to take you on the ultimate road trip adventure along Scotland’s North Coast 500 route! It took me at least an hour to get back onto the A837 as I stopped loads to take photo’s of the scenery in better light. If you’re doing the opposite, and cruising dow… In June 2019 I took a 4 day blast up to and around the fabled NC500 route on my trusty Triumph Tiger 800. See more ideas about north coast 500, nc500, north highlands. They are available at the tourist information centre at Inverness free of charge, and can be found at other small businesses along the route. The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland’s magnificence to the world. The route begins in Inverness, Capital City of the Highlands, and snakes along the rugged coastal edges of northern Scotland, taking in breath-taking castles, mesmerising mountain tops and glistening beaches. If you do have a day or two to spare, I suggest using one of the “Crossing the Country” routes listed in the back of Biker’s Britain, by Simon Weir. The official NC500 website has a suggested eight-day motorcycle itinerary (Eight days to ride 500 miles???) I was pretty drenched by the time I got to the Youth Hostel. AM Explore the capital of the Highlands. ROAD TRIP: Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway On a BMW K 1600 B I then headed over to the fantastic Glenelg Inn for a pint and watched the sun setting over Skye. 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 … The weather started to turn mid-morning so I don’t have many photo’s from the day. and the Durbeg loop. I had hoped for a shower but the village hall had not long closed. As I say, the route is not a single highway but a collection of A roads, B roads and occasional lane, so you will need a map. I took the road up through Rannoch Moor & Glencoe (M9, A84, A85, A82). If the flexibility of a campervan appeals, there are also a number of places to rent campervans or RVs in Inverness. Scotland is a shockingly expensive place to visit when compared with, say, anywhere sunny. The latter is set out for those camping along the route, but the overall route would work well for any seven day NC500 trip. As mentioned above, Scotland’s weather can be pretty grim no matter what the season. NC500 Campsites & Camping. It was howling a hoolie (blowing a gale) so getting the tent up solo was a challenge. When I drove the NC500 in Baloo (our camper van), the shower hadn’t been fitted. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. 2) Ceannabeinne beach: Motorhome Friendly: Yes. Starting and ending in Inverness, this 500-mile circular drive takes you along stunning coastlines and countless lochs.You’ll navigate through winding mountain passes and awe-inspiring landscapes. No visit to Glencoe is complete without stopping at the Clachaig Inn. The Beaches are White and the Water is Turquoise . It is not well-marked enough to just ride up and follow signs. This blog is for you guys, highlighting our wild camping NC500 spots around the northern coast of Scotland! By the time I got to Lairg it was raining pretty heavily and got gradually worse as the day went on. The drawback, of course, can be that that your evening meal options are limited. If you want to drive from Durness to Lochinver and rely on your sat nav for directions, you will miss the best stretch of road on the entire NC500, perhaps even in the whole of the UK. To provide an internet link to the soul tippy-top bit of a trip. Castle, where you ’ ll conveniently find free motorcycle parking on NC500! 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