North Coast 500

The black art of moving from A to B on foreign soil
Post Reply
skinny
Posts: 186
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:19 pm

North Coast 500

Post by skinny »

Hi all, just decided last night to do the NC500 in June. I'm sure that there is a thread on here about it somewhere but any advice on camp sites,pubs B&B's things to do etc will be much appreciated. I hear that wild camping can be done in some places but not others? Cheers.
waynecoluk
Posts: 796
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 11:37 am
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: North Coast 500

Post by waynecoluk »

Me and a few friends did it in April.
We stayed at Lochinver on the coast camping, I think it was called Mount view and the next night stayed at Sunart campsite in Strontian. We actually got a wooden chalet for the night which was cheap as chips between the 4 of us.
Be sure to factor in for petrol ststions as the bike I had at the time had a reasonably small range compared to my GSA and I nearly ran out of fuel once.
2016 BMW 1200GSA

2013 Triumph Street Triple
Sidecarwilly
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:43 pm

Re: North Coast 500

Post by Sidecarwilly »

Lochinver - pick up some pies from "Lochinver Larder" [Bistro] on the right as you come into the village. Great selection to choose from. Then head out of the village take a left for Clachtoll - six miles to one of the best beaches to enjoy your pie picnic. Chactoll has a very good campsite just a few metres from the beach.

www.clachtollbeachcampsite.co.uk
Oop North John
Posts: 1658
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:30 am
Has thanked: 154 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: North Coast 500

Post by Oop North John »

This might help:

http://www.northcoast500.com/

In June you might want to view where you'll meet our midges whose sole purpose is to make anything bigger than them's life a misery:

https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/

I'd recommend doing it anti-clockwise and not slavishly follow the A9 up the east coast. Though this bit of the A9 is a totally different road compared to the Dunblane to Inverness section.
skinny
Posts: 186
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:19 pm

Re: North Coast 500

Post by skinny »

Cheers guys, anti clockwise, I'm all for going against the flow, do most do it clockwise? I'm also told Avon do a moisturiser that the little buggers don't like? Looked at the camp sites thanks, keep em coming.
sven
Posts: 533
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:58 pm
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 72 times

Re: North Coast 500

Post by sven »

skinny wrote:Cheers guys, anti clockwise, I'm all for going against the flow, do most do it clockwise? I'm also told Avon do a moisturiser that the little buggers don't like? Looked at the camp sites thanks, keep em coming.
Avon Skin So Soft (thumbs)

Take the A93 and A939 from Perth to Inverness as the A9 is a horrible road with average speed cameras along its full length. On the way back stick to the coast road as far as Kyle of Lochalsh and then take the sublime A87 back to Spean Bridge. Having said that, the traffic on the A82 down to Fort William was horrendous due to roadworks the last time I was there in 2014, so the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig might be a good alternative
User avatar
92kk k100lt 193214
Posts: 2327
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:32 pm
Location: Ireland Cork
Has thanked: 51 times
Been thanked: 151 times

Re: North Coast 500

Post by 92kk k100lt 193214 »

For camping and midges I always travel with citronella candles. Especially if you use a tarp as they will gather under it. A few of these candles upwind side of you will keep the buggers away nicely as the fragrance will drift down over you.

You get a 3 pack of Zip outdoor ones and bring them with you. Leave the ones not being used open inside the tent flysheet and keep your mesh door closed and you will enjoy midge free camping. You also get small nightlight sized ones and they will work fine but for a nice outdoor camp the Zip ones are the business. I never travel without them and hate the midges too, just never let them put you off.

Also midges love moisture so don't go tossing out water unused beer or coffee or most especially anything sugary or stuff like that anywhere near your camp unless you want to attract them. If it has been damp or recently raining double up on the citronella.
1992 K100LT June 2010 110,000 miles
1984 K100RT July 2013 36,000 miles, 90,000
1983 K100RS Nov 2018 29,000 miles, 36,400 miles
1996 K1100LT Oct 2020 37,990 miles
1984 K100 Sprint March 2023 58,000 miles
Oop North John
Posts: 1658
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:30 am
Has thanked: 154 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: North Coast 500

Post by Oop North John »

skinny wrote:Cheers guys, anti clockwise, I'm all for going against the flow, do most do it clockwise?
Anti-clockwise you have the relatively flat east coast building up to the more mountainous west coast which I find is more interesting. Loads of community fuel stations nowadays so as long as they're working then there shouldn't be a problem with fuel.

Most of the roads are very quiet and you're unlikely to see any plod let alone speed cameras outwith Inverness, apart from around Achnasheen ;)

I'd personally avoid like the plague going up Loch Ness on the A82 unless you want to go to Castle Urquhart, much nicer to make use of one of General Wades roads on the east side of the Loch between Fort Augustus and Inverness
skinny
Posts: 186
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:19 pm

Re: North Coast 500

Post by skinny »

Thanks for the tips guys, had a Google up and looking good, exceptional wild camping spots anyone?
Flintlock
Posts: 3271
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:41 pm
Has thanked: 391 times
Been thanked: 615 times

Re: North Coast 500

Post by Flintlock »

The bay just north of Applecross is a nice spot
Post Reply

Return to “TRAVEL”