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.
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.
North West Surrey
