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North 500 Review

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Sparkybrum
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North 500 Review

Post by Sparkybrum » Sun Sep 23, 2018 2:49 pm

I completed the North 500 earlier this month and thought I’d capture some notes and post a few pics whilst it’s still fresh in my memory.

Day 1 - Journey commenced at 5am covering 275 miles from Birmingham to Loch Lomond. Stayed at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha the first night before heading up to Inverness on the Friday morning (£145 B&B and decent room and top breakfast). En route to the Loch I drove from Glasgow via the Campsies and took a brief walk up Campsies Glen past the hoards of early morning cyclists taking on the hill. Came by chance across one of my favourite whisky distilleries in Glengoyne and took advantage of the shop whilst passing!
Day 2 - 9am start on the journey from Loch Lomond to Wick via the Caledonian Canal route up through Inverness. Quick stop at the Falls of Falloch before heading off. Stopped off at Ben Nevis and took the cable car to the summit taking in the views on what turned out to be a fantastic day, Roof down we headed to Wick via the ever impressive Glencoe, Loch Locky and Loch Ness. After passing through Inverness we had a short stop off at Dunrobin Castle then took the coast route up to Wick staying overnight at Ackergill Tower Castle (£170 B&B stopping in one of the cottages next to the castle). Around 150 miles covered during the day arriving into Wick around 6pm.
Day 3 - Headed off around 9.00am after stocking up on haggis breakfast. The plan was to drive from Wick to Torridon this day via John O’Groates, Durness back down the West coast to Torridon. This covered around 230 miles and on reflection was probably too much as most of the day was in the seat not being able to take time out to soak up the scenery. Landscape changed drastically this day from the baron flat outlook at the northern edge of Scotland to the unbelievable scenery along the west coast from Durness to Torridon. Stayed overnight at the Torridon Inn and enjoyed the Al la Carte menu in the main hotel (£130 B&B and Dinner worked out at £60/head but well worth it). This hotel and surrounding landscape is amazing and justified a longer stay than just the night we’d allowed.
Day 4 - Headed out of Torridon to Glasgow following the route down to Fort William and then diverting back down to Glasgow through Glencoe. Did the Applecross pass which is a must for all driving enthusiast. Bealach na Ba is a single track road to the top with passing points along the way. Unbelievable views but not for the faint hearted and certainly not something I’d do in the winter months. Spent most of this day stopping to admire the views and every corner didn’t disappoint with Loch Maree being one that’ll take your breath away (see attached photo). Covered around 270 miles on this day and managed to head across to the Isle of Skye on route and Glenfinnan Viaduct with all the Harry Potter fans! Stopped overnight in Glasgow at the Boclair House Hotel (£145 B&B but well worth it with luxurious rooms).
Day 5 - Headed home from Glasgow in the rain planning the next trip.
If you are thinking about doing it then go for it. It’s an amazing trip on our doorstep that beats anything I’ve seen to date. On reflection I’d cover it in over a day longer and enjoy the top western section a bit more. The car was a dream to drive and I managed an average of 32 mpg on the route made even more comfortable with the new tyres fitted courtesy of the advice provided by Andy Wilkes (I’ll never use run flats again).

Some pics attached for you to enjoy!

Sparky.

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Last edited by Sparkybrum on Sun Sep 23, 2018 7:41 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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North 500 Review

Post by Sparkybrum » Sun Sep 23, 2018 2:52 pm

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North 500 Review

Post by Marlon » Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:04 pm

Wonderful writeup great first pic - I have recently come back from the Torridon / Wester Ross area, which was spectacular for driving. I can only imagine how great the full NC500 would be, thanks for giving me a flavour :thumbsup: :driving:

One hell of a stage from Wick to Torridon via John O'Groates !!!
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North 500 Review

Post by hopz121 » Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:09 pm

Some great photos :thumbsup:

I did the trip last month and it was incredible, so thing i always wanted to do but never got round to it, ill be going back to the west costs thats for sure.
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North 500 Review

Post by idej_z4 » Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:55 pm

Thanks for the great write up. I’ll bookmark this post as I’m planning on doing the NC500 for my 40th in a few years. :thumbsup:

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North 500 Review

Post by buzyg » Sun Sep 23, 2018 6:50 pm

Good read and some fantastic pics. Thanks enjoyed that. :thumbsup:
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North 500 Review

Post by metal licker » Sun Sep 23, 2018 7:06 pm

Very nice :thumbsup:
Can't wait to return,loved the meal in the Torridon hotel
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North 500 Review

Post by Sparkybrum » Sun Sep 23, 2018 7:46 pm

metal licker wrote: Sun Sep 23, 2018 7:06 pm Very nice :thumbsup:
Can't wait to return,loved the meal in the Torridon hotel
Top tip and an amazing hotel set in beautiful surroundings, shame it’s not down the road as I’d be back a lot more.

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North 500 Review

Post by Mr Tidy » Sun Sep 23, 2018 8:51 pm

Great write-up and some fabulous photos OP. :thumbsup:

I need to get back up to Scotland - but in my Z this time! :roll: Maybe next year. :)
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North 500 Review

Post by MrPT » Sun Sep 23, 2018 9:27 pm

Enjoyed that, thanks for posting. The drive westward along the A836/838/894 is incredible, yep - totally blew my mind the first time I went. Next time you could take the Old Military Road through the central highlands/lowlands and miss the north east leg off.
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North 500 Review

Post by philbo909 » Sun Sep 23, 2018 9:40 pm

Looks great, I'm planning to do this in the spring for my birthday, thanks for the write up! :thumbsup:
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North 500 Review

Post by Frankie169 » Mon Sep 24, 2018 8:53 am

I was planning on doing this on my Ducati but since having got the Z4 think it must be a car trip, warmer and dryer.
Must be getting old!!,
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North 500 Review

Post by Sparkybrum » Mon Sep 24, 2018 2:14 pm

Frankie169 wrote: Mon Sep 24, 2018 8:53 am I was planning on doing this on my Ducati but since having got the Z4 think it must be a car trip, warmer and dryer.
Must be getting old!!,

There were definitely more bikers than cars covering the route and quite a few of them were from overseas. I suspect that the origins of this route have come from the biking fraternity. One thing I didn’t mention in the review that’s worth noting is how good the roads were throughout. I had visions of cracked alloys and potholes galore but it was the opposite. Probably those up high in Scotland realising the potential benefits tourist bring to the regions.
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North 500 Review

Post by Andy-M » Mon Sep 24, 2018 2:22 pm

Did the Nc500 earlier this year. The Northwest coast Applecross up to John o groats in the right weather one of the most stunning roads in the UK.

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