Scotland / NC500 trip Starting tommorow.

[yipikayee]

Hi

I have holiday booked for next week, giving me 10 days starting tommorow. I had other plans but random calls for quaranteene here and there ruined it all, and since i dont want to spend it all at home i thought about doing Scotland trip.

But since yesterday there are another restrictions introduced, i checked the regions mentioned and it seems its all south, from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

So the question is does north of Scotland operates like usual?
Any info appreciated really, would you skip it at this time or still hit the road?

 

[brillomaster]

personally, i'd still go. the best parts of scotland are north of glasgow/edinburgh. indeed if its scenery and good roads you're after, you need to be north of inverness.

the last time we went up i drove straight from Leamington spa to Fort William for the first nights stop, then slowed down. Make sure to spend a few days on Skye too, magical place.

 

[Anonymous]

Because many hotels as they are called in Scotland are also bars aka pubs and they will be banned from selling alcohol inside, some will decide to close down pro-temp as it won’t be worth it economically ...

I’ve been labelled as a doom merchant by some, but would suggest a trip in Scotland during the next two weeks is going to be possibly more fraught...

I have a personal bash this weekend and it’s required a lot of adaptation to allow it to continue and we are not in the Central Belt which has the most severe restrictions..

So it’s possible but be prepared for issues...the NC500 is clogged up with camper vans at the moment according to friends who got back this week..

 

[yipikayee]

Because many hotels as they are called in Scotland are also bars aka pubs and they will be banned from selling alcohol inside, some will decide to close down pro-temp as it won’t be worth it economically ...

that is very valid point. so at the moment, do they actually have to close down or restrictions are only on mentioned south regions where the most people live?

indeed if its scenery and good roads you're after, you need to be north of inverness.

that is the plan, but i probably wont do whole circle up there, since we are going with our kid and i cant drive too long without a break with him at the back( not hoing with Z there)

 

[Argyll Andy]

As Peter says, the one concern I’d have is how restrictive you’d find your days working it round being able to ear/drink etc.

I know there are some exceptions for hotel residents eating in their accommodation but I still think the no alcohol rule applies even if you can eat slightly later.

I did part of the NC500 a few weeks ago and solely down to places we wanted to see and distances traveled we didn’t eat before 8:30 any of the 3 nights so we would’ve found the current restrictions very detrimental to our plans.

Also as Peter says, a lot of places will just close as not financially viable and being based in the West Coast of Scotland at least 50%+ of places locally have taken this stance but I understand in the more populated areas that the % is much higher that have closed completely for the 16 days.

 

[Z4M-2006]

We was Up there 2 weeks ago and restrictions were in order,from the Thursday of out trip.

We went Oban,Drumnadrochit,Elgin,Aviemore and Edinburgh.

We stopped at a few Premier Inns and some guest houses,the big towns like Edinburgh and Inverness were strict on Lockdown,the other places not so much as quite rightly they wanted the money i suspect.

Things have obviously changed again,but i think there could be the odd "workaround"...


The roads were stunning by the way,and very quiet so unbelievably driving became a pleasure again.

 

[Nictrix]

On the upside if you do manage to go the weather is meant to be pretty good.

 

[yipikayee]

We stopped at a few Premier Inns and some guest houses,the big towns like Edinburgh and Inverness were strict on Lockdown,the other places not so much as quite rightly they wanted the money i suspect.

That was idea all along. Im done with big cities, we need some nature break and small town feel. We going to spend tommorow night somewhere in Lake District and i will plan from day to day basis unless im gonna fond some great free cancelation deal

Great pics btw

I went today and bought 12V/main powered travel fridge 28L in GoOutdoors for 59£. I think its going to be gamechanger for such roadtrips. Especially for a big eater like myself

My friend came back two days ago, and had half a day of rain in 6days. Thats like winning a lottery

 

[buzyg]

We stopped at a few Premier Inns and some guest houses,the big towns like Edinburgh and Inverness were strict on Lockdown,the other places not so much as quite rightly they wanted the money i suspect.

That was idea all along. Im done with big cities, we need some nature break and small town feel. We going to spend tommorow night somewhere in Lake District and i will plan from day to day basis unless im gonna fond some great free cancelation deal

Great pics btw

I went today and bought 12V/main powered travel fridge 28L in GoOutdoors for 59£. I think its going to be gamechanger for such roadtrips. Especially for a big eater like myself

My friend came back two days ago, and had half a day of rain in 6days. Thats like winning a lottery

A fridge. :lol:

Have a great trip.

 

[yipikayee]

A fridge.

Thanks

 

[Z4M-2006]

The weather was brilliant for us... a couple of hours over the full trip..

The best road we went on was on the way back,the A701 from Edinburgh to Moffat,very nice flowing roads with plenty to see.. Moffat was a nice place for a brew and butty stop. There was a Porsche club meet on,so we had an hour looking at the motors,although an Alfa Guilia Quad was a bit of a show stealer.

Oban was great,plenty to see and do....Places to eat and drink,although precautions were in place everywhere was very accomodating.

There was also a lovely restaurant over the Clansman hotel that sits on the side of Loch Ness (A82 road) with great views,good food and reasonable prices.

La Taverna in Aviemore was an excellent Italian,they fitted us in at a weekend but said usually have to book,and was even worse with the restrictions,but if you went in the week i wouldnt think it was bad.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Oban was great,plenty to see and do

Nice picture going across Connel bridge

 

[Z4M-2006]

Oban was great,plenty to see and do

Nice picture going across Connel bridge

Is that where it was...

Being honest i was following a lot of the time,but the first day was 6 hours in the seat so a lot to remember

 

[Argyll Andy]

Oban was great,plenty to see and do

Nice picture going across Connel bridge

Is that where it was...

Being honest i was following a lot of the time,but the first day was 6 hours in the seat so a lot to remember

5 miles north of Oban heading towards Fort William - less than an hour from my house so they’re the type of roads I drive on a daily basis

 

[Z4M-2006]

Nice picture going across Connel bridge

Is that where it was...

Being honest i was following a lot of the time,but the first day was 6 hours in the seat so a lot to remember

5 miles north of Oban heading towards Fort William - less than an hour from my house so they’re the type of roads I drive on a daily basis

Youre a lucky lucky fella

 

[yipikayee]

So!

Had been pretty busy with driving, sightseeing and enjoying the trip so just had a chance to check back this thread :?

A fridge.

LIFESAVER

Cold beer ready when i stop
Coldbrew whenever i fancy
Food for the Jr. handy at all times. :wink:

The weather was brilliant for us... a couple of hours over the full trip..

Im lucky to say the same. We had one hour solid rain in 5days that kinda shortened our hike, but not stopped it so its still a win. Sure, was raining during drive but not caused any delays/accidents or road closures.


So far trip was like this

Sat - start from Bham circa 1pm
Sat - spent a night Carlisle/Orton
Sun - drive and stay @ Fort William (Ben Nevis will have to wait till next time)
Mon/Tue - drive to Skye and stay for two nights. Visit some of "must see" there(AMAZING roads to drive on. No traffic at all except some roadworks here and there)
Wed - drive to Loch ness(Best road so far, from Skye to LN) visit Castle Urquhart and stay in Inverness
Thu - im driving to Thurso, visit Wolfburn distillery and stay in Bettyhill

Could smash much more road in shorter time but Jr. throws tantrums at the back seat so.. :lol:

Anyone having any hidden gems to see on nc500 between Thurso to Ullapool please share

 

[yipikayee]

Few random pics from the trip.

 

[buzyg]

Great pictures. I see you got to see the Magnetic mountains of the Black Cuilins. Did you dare to take a dip in the cool water of the fairy pools?

 

[brillomaster]

Thurso to Ullapool is the best bit! Not necessarily that much to do... but roads and scenery on the north west coast are world class.

that said, couple of stops you could do...
Smoo cave, near Durness
Kylesku Bridge
Ardvreck Castle

 

[yipikayee]

Great pictures. I see you got to see the Magnetic mountains of the Black Cuilins. Did you dare to take a dip in the cool water of the fairy pools?

Im not entering water unless outside is 30degree and water is 20+ but i saw some crazy people with wetsuits on

Thurso to Ullapool is the best bit! Not necessarily that much to do... but roads and scenery on the north west coast are world class.

that said, couple of stops you could do...
Smoo cave, near Durness
Kylesku Bridge
Ardvreck Castle

Yes im looking forward to see it myself today.
Thanks for the recommendations!