Modifying the NC500!

[ph001]

So... have given up on a holiday abroad this year, just too much of a gamble. UK it is then and having done sections of the NC500 in years gone by we thought we would give the campervan hire thing a go in late May and head north!

Thing is, there are parts of the official NC500 that don't really appeal, particularly the north east A9 / A836 section around Wick and Thurso. So, thinking of skipping all that part and getting back to the A9 via either:

A838 from Laxford Bridge to via Achfary and Loch Shin (green line)
or
A836 from Tongue to Dalchork via Altnaharra (orange line)

Does anybody have any experience of the green and orange routes or have any other recommendations?

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[Argyll Andy]

I’m not sure if you’re only looking for input to the NC500 bit of your proposed trip but getting to Inverness any of my suggested routes on the thread below make a much nicer run up to there than the A9, they all also take in Loch Lomond

Depending on the size of the camper the one bringing you to Lochgilphead (my preferred route) has some tighter twistier bits between here and Oban but all A class two lane roads just a touch tight on some parts but in my view well worth it for the scenery alone

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=124358&hilit=Nc500

[brillomaster]

i tried the green route in sept 2019, and it wasnt that exciting... singletrack with passing places all the way down, not particularly well sighted either. That said, a quick google streetview of the orange route doesnt look much better, still singletrack with passing places.

though... the bit you'd miss off by doing the green route is quite good... the A838 between Badnabay and Achlyness is still two lanes and epic, and although it then also switches to singletrack with passing places all the way up to Durness, the loop round Loch Eriboll is very pretty, and the road from Eriboll to Tongue is two lanes, and epicly fast if you wanted it to be. though, thats kind of a moot point if you're in a campervan.

personally, assuming you'd just done the southwestern portion of the NC500 and were heading north out of Ullapool, i'd drive as far as Durness, then turn round and come back down the A838 again - i think the A894 between Ardvreck Castle and Badnabay is the best bit of road i have ever driven on, it pure joy to drive it both ways.

[brillomaster]

oh also, will this trip include the Isle of Skye? if not, it should...

i miss scotland... should've taken the zed up there, but with the distances involved and luggage (we were traveling up from Leamington spa) i took the 330d instead. still plenty of poke to overtake stuff.

oh and you might be aware already, but if you're on a singletrack road with passing places, and someone is coming up behind you, its courtesy to pull in and let them past. Scots have a way way better attitude than the English when it comes to overtaking and being overtaken.

[MerBrook]

As you say the section up to Wick/Thurso is fairly dull so we did a similar thing last September turning off the A9 before Golspie and heading to Lairg onto Altnaharra and then onto Tongue (essentially the Orange section). As brillomaster said it was single track & passing places pretty much all the way but almost deserted, from memory we only saw a couple of cyclists and cars on that entire section.
Heres a couple of pics from that section.

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[martinrpalmer]

If you are doing the trip in a campervan then advice from Z4 owners may not be appropriate, frankly it will make little difference to you if it's single or dual track in a campervan. I know I live in the North of Scotland and own both. If you are just going to drive and admire the view the A9 North of Inverness isn't up to much. If you want to visit the Brochs, Castles fascinating villages it's great. If you want to do some coastal walking there are sections of the John o'Groats trail that make a pleasant half day.
None of this will be of interest to those who just want to enjoy the open road with the top down.
Also where you go depends on where you stop overnight. Campervans have limited water and waste capacity so you will need a campsite every 2-3 days. There are lots of 'wild camping' spots some near to some 'wild residents' so if this summer is going to be as busy as suggested you may find stopping where you please without any booking gets frustrating.
Good luck, oh I should warn you campervans are addictive, the only know cure is old age!