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Adam17

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

X4SKP wrote:
We have been planning this trip since last year, and are off towards the end of
August running into September... with 2-3 weeks at our 'disposal'...

Timing
Lower 'midge count' and tourists , also most Scottish Schools are back
mid -2/3s through August, ahead of England...

Route
We are breaking the journey in the Lake District, over night, both there and back,
and tackling the NC 500 Clockwise, if we explore for 2 weeks + on the West
and North Coasts then that's fine by me, although my wife if from St Andrews,
so we will probably get round to the East Side and complete the '500'.

I have 30+ areas on our to-do list...but are viewing this as guidance only, the main
plan for us is to explore the route as we go, even if this makes it a return trip to complete.

Really looking forward to it...

Mode of transport and accomodation...

Click image to enlarge

Everywhere (probably) is possible apart from the Applecross Pass (although it say's 'ADVISED')...

https://www.northcoast500.com/

Click image to enlarge

Prepare for some holiday snaps...

HI X4SKP

I don't suppose you would be kind enough to post a list of your todo points of interest would you...?

My wife and I are planning to do the north 500 next month God willing...

Hope to hear from you.. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html

19th Jul 2018 10:23am

X4SKP

Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey

Hello Adam17

Sure...I'm just about to travel, back mid next week, so will put up what we are 'aiming for' then
defiantly with west coast bias...

Here's a few links to get you started...

https://www.alongdustyroads.com/posts/2016...d-planning

https://independenttravelcats.com/north-co...500-route/

https://www.northcoast500.com/itineraries/

Good Luck... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

19th Jul 2018 11:16am

Adam17

Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

That's very kind of you. Thank you. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html

19th Jul 2018 12:13pm

cozz

Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: nottingham
Posts: 535

I'm planning going up there in camper last week in aug, first weeks of sept too

22nd Jul 2018 9:34pm

VeeTee

Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

H’mm, I had the idea of doing this nc500 with my son in september, but I checked the ferry prices and IJmuiden-Newcastle v/v was 700 euros!

A bit too much now. And to go via Calais-Dover adds to much travel across Belgium and the UK and costs alsoo few days, and we only have a week.
So I think we go for the alternative, a trip to the Alps... Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite

22nd Jul 2018 9:43pm

DSC-off

Member Since: 16 Oct 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 1400

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green

A great place to stop off for a bite to eat between Applecross and Loch Carron is the Kishorn Seafood Bar.
The salmon, gravadlax, languistines, scallops were superb. All in a hut that is literally in the middle of nowhere.
Check opening times though.

http://kishornseafoodbar.co.uk

29th Jul 2018 11:00am

Countryman2

Member Since: 18 Mar 2018
Location: The North
Posts: 53

2015 Defender 90 Other XS CSW Scotia Grey

Download a gpx file from google onto your satnav. Worked well on the SW300 for us. Could enjoy the scenery rather than staring at a map. Most roads were small and no signing. Will do the same for the NC500 next year.

29th Jul 2018 7:48pm

m3vert

Member Since: 15 Mar 2018
Location: Central Scotland
Posts: 162

2011 Defender 110 2.5 TD PU Stornoway Grey

Countryman2 would you care to expand on that please? I have Apple Carplay and found that on our recent trip on the South coast I ended up having issues when I lost mobile signal on the Apple iPhone Maps app I was using. Is there a way you can download the maps so they are there even if you are not getting a signal?? Thanks in advance.

30th Jul 2018 11:07am

Countryman2

Member Since: 18 Mar 2018
Location: The North
Posts: 53

I used a garmin satnav rather than a mobile phone. Afraid I don’t know how you could do this with a phone - suspect it may not be possible if you are reliant on a phone signal. Perhaps one of the other members may know. Sorry.

30th Jul 2018 3:39pm

SonicFields

Member Since: 11 Jul 2017
Location: Somewhere Else
Posts: 124

Just use the Google Maps App on your iPhone. Download the maps for your area of interest, whilst at home over Wi-Fi to save your data usage, as some are quite large, then you can use them offline whilst touring with no connection by using the default map overlay, or simply keep the blurry offline satellite overlay which will sharpen to HD when in a good signal area.

I normally switch the mobile data setting off for the Google Maps App and use the default map overlay when travelling along main roads/major routes etc. to save data usage, then switch it back on and use the satellite imagery for touring around minor roads, back-roads, tracks etc.

The satellite imagery provides a much better view of your surroundings, something which is lacking with a dedicated GPS navigator.

If you have the Defender Alpine CDE-133BT Radio then when paired with your iPhone via Bluetooth the turn-by-turn directions can be heard over the vehicle audio system rather than the quiet iPhone speaker.

You will need to set the Google Maps App to update approx. monthly, otherwise you will lose your downloaded maps.

Happy touring!

30th Jul 2018 8:24pm

X4SKP

Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

Hello All

Well here goes...at the risk of blowing up Martin's Server (

)

I thought I'd start by just posting some Photos, so if you're not into to Scottish Scenery, Food or Labradors
then this isn't for you...

In short we were amazed at the West Coast of Scotland...we did the NC200 really from Applecross to Durness
and back down again, together with exploring many side roads off the 'official' route.

As soon as you get north of Glasgow it's all good, 1700Miles round trip for us,
got up there in one go, but stayed in the Lakes on the way back.

If you think you may like this sort of trip then GO

We had 2 Weeks, were more or less self sufficient, we booked no-where, and stayed in the middle of it,
we didn't visit any islands, and were lucky enough to only see rain twice.

I'll add some 'foot notes' in time, but you should get the picture from these...

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge
Where am I...

SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

12th Sep 2018 9:11pm

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

That'll be Glen Etive, where they filmed a scene for Skyfall.

The scenery is stunning. By coincidence, my folks are touring that area at the moment and were stood on that little suspension bridge last week.

I'm intrigued by this picture - is the rest of it under there somewhere??

Click image to enlarge Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

13th Sep 2018 7:01am

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7904

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

Looks a great trip, stunning scenery and lovely food! Thanks for posting. James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers

13th Sep 2018 7:45am

X4SKP

Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2295

Hello LRA

LandRoverAnorak wrote:
That'll be Glen Etive, where they filmed a scene for Skyfall.

...

LandRoverAnorak wrote:
I'm intrigued by this picture - is the rest of it under there somewhere??

Click image to enlarge[/quote]

No as Myla (our Labrador) all but dug it out that single tyre... the rest must have been lost at sea...

SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html

Last edited by X4SKP on 14th Sep 2018 12:11pm. Edited 1 time in total

13th Sep 2018 9:52am

JOW240725

Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7904

X4SKP wrote:

Click image to enlarge

That's James Dunn‎ from Expedition Ready Defenders on FB, just been looking at his photos of the trip.

Click image to enlarge James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers

13th Sep 2018 11:34am

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