Member Since: 01 Sep 2016
Location: Ampshire
Posts: 406
NC500
We’ve just got back from a trip around Scotland, loosely based on the NC 500. We started on the islands of Harris/Lewis where we stayed in a newly built Bothy on the shore of a Loch. One evening we watched a sea eagle catch a gull and land in the loch with it, it couldn’t take off again with the gull in its claws so it used its wings to swim back to the shore before tucking into it’s dinner. It was quite a distance away but I’ve got some photos taken on a long lens, they are not great because of the distance but I’ll try to upload them when I get a chance, they’re on my wife’s camera. There are some lovely beaches on Lewis, this is on the north-west side, it wasn’t a completely clear day so we couldn’t quite see Canada.
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We got back on the mainland and started making our way up on the west coast, most people seem to agree that this is the best coast of Scotland and I have to agree, the scenery is stunning. This is the Bealach Na Ba Pass, it would have been a stunning view but it was a bit misty.
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After driving all day through rain there was a gap in the weather and we found a lovely spot at a beach campsite.
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We set up camp and then the rain started again, bringing wind with it this time. Although everything seemed very secure during the night the wind changed direction and attacked our Foxwing, bending and snapping poles.
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There are a lot of single track roads with passing places on the west and north coasts so progress can be slow at times. We arrived at Thurso in the rain but woke the next morning to sunshine and a great view of the Orkney Islands
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This is Dunnet Head, the most northerly Point of the British mainland, where you can get a great view of the puffins, if you know where to look for them.
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We made the obligatory visit to John O’Groats before working our way back down the east coast. The landscape is not as interesting down this side but there are pretty villages and castles to visit. We finished off with a visit to Aviemore where we even got to see some snow
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Despite the wind and rain we thoroughly enjoyed the trip and wouldn’t want to do it at any other time of the year. We largely avoided the midges and as the season moves on having to stop for hundreds of camper vans and tourist buses on the singletrack roads would become very frustrating. We saw fantastic scenery and wildlife and all without leaving the UK.
3rd Jun 2019 7:09pm
L110CDL
Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10810
Great you had a good time, thanks for sharing and the pic's
The wife and i are doing this in about 4 months time 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.
Keeper.
Clayton.
3rd Jun 2019 8:14pm
Ashbyandy
Member Since: 17 Dec 2015
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 223
Pictures look great, we’re off to do the NC500 next Friday,, can’t wait, Campsite’s all booked, and stocked up on midge repellent. Hope we enjoy it as much as you did Whirly90,
👍👍
3rd Jun 2019 8:19pm
williamthedog
Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441
Cracking pictures, a lovely part of the world
3rd Jun 2019 9:11pm
JOW240725
Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7907
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