 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > North Coast 500 |
 
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| Harry.O Member Since: 25 Jul 2014 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 713   
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We did it in 2017 the GF and I were camping in the LR along with my Dad and brother on motorbikes (they used hotels).
We chose mid-May as a good compromise of weather, avoiding school holidays (appreciate you are going during hols) and midges. The latter were fine apart from one night when we camped beside a lake on a very still night, we regretted that one! Midges start to appear in late May but the females don't appear until mid June, they bite worse I believe. Smidgemidge and Avon Skin So Soft both work but only to a degree. We started and finished in Inverness, adding the Isles of Skye and Mull into the loop and heading anti-clockwise which was the right decision, the views just get better every day. Excluding a few days of fishing and travel up/back down, we took 8 days and in hindsight wished we had taken longer to stop and explore more. Another contender to consider is the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, more remote, less traffic, fewer midges but still loads to do and stunning coastline  2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top 1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles |
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11th Nov 2019 4:08pm |
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| Scotm Member Since: 28 Feb 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 666  
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I would say a week is too short if you are planning it as a family holiday.
When the weather is good then you will want time/ flexibility for beach, hills and exploring with the kids rather than driving. When camping / touring with kids we try and spend two nights at every other campsite to allow time for relaxing. |
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11th Nov 2019 5:33pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665 
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I would agree that any time in early spring is good... The days really start to lengthen quick up there after the spring clock-change-weekend. In June it barely goes dark. Spring us usually a fairly dry time "up North" and the midges haven't got to full strength. April-May-June always my favourite time up there.
Until 3 years ago I had a holiday home in Aviemore, and would spend as much time as possible hillwalking/climbing/kayaking/motorcycling throughout the area. I'm sure I'll be heading to the Hebrides in spring...Hopefully on the motorbike tho... Enjoy! Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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12th Nov 2019 6:38am |
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| G4UJS Member Since: 20 Jan 2019 Location: Shropshire Posts: 226 
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We have just completed the NC500, fantastic road trip.
We did last week of October and first week of November. Beautiful Autumn colours and virtually no traffic. We did 6 nights under canvas and 5 nights in Hotels, B and B's, camping Pods and shepherd huts, (all booked on the fly, so no strict itinerary for us) 2000 glorious Defender miles 
regards Rob |
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12th Nov 2019 7:06am |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7905 
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This is a trip I'd love to do one day. I'm struggling to persuade the wife and more kids that a driving holiday will be fun though
The Wild Atlantic Way is a new recommendation to me so will look into this, thank you Harry.O. Maybe add a few pics those that have done it?  I know there are several NC500 threads, I should probably go look at  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 |
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12th Nov 2019 9:31am |
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| G4UJS Member Since: 20 Jan 2019 Location: Shropshire Posts: 226
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Heres a few photos...non of them really do it justice....hard to describe but the whole area is outstanding!
Regards Rob  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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12th Nov 2019 10:53am |
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| 90 Dreamer Member Since: 13 Jul 2019 Location: Oop North Posts: 2147 
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stunning.......
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12th Nov 2019 11:11am |
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| boode Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: Devon Posts: 428  
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Whats with the Applecross signage
This was only 5 years ago Click image to enlarge |
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12th Nov 2019 11:41am |
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| 90 Dreamer Member Since: 13 Jul 2019 Location: Oop North Posts: 2147
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makes a nonsense of the warnings............
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12th Nov 2019 11:50am |
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| Tim in Scotland Member Since: 23 May 2007 Location: The Land that time forgot Posts: 3753 
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And no warnings of lunatic motorcyclists driving at break neck speed in the middle of the road which is common unfortunately in the summer. Also if you are a surfer then there are some great breaks on the North Coast BUT be warned - you will need a winter steamer wetsuit even in mid summer!
For those who don’t want to venture so far north there is also a “Southwest 300” route through Dumfries and Galloway on quiet back roads https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/travel/swc300-road-trip/ Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come 2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed! |
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12th Nov 2019 11:53am |
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| Scotm Member Since: 28 Feb 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 666
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Or the North East 250 https://www.northeast250.com/ Less rain and midges!
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12th Nov 2019 12:18pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3748
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Thanks for the replies
We loved Skye it was the miges we didn't  the scenery and roads were amazing.
I'm thinking a week as short on Holidays as Summer ones we off off to Europe. Lucily my wife & kids love road trips and the 110 is a great vehicle for them with great all round visibility and loads of room for stuff. I'm thinking I would not take the trailer due to some of the roads? can roof tents sleep 4? or it that too much. Would I need 2 x 2 sleeper ones. ooh and can you while camp en route are are camp sites a plenty I think I will sort a map / book out and start reading up on a route |
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12th Nov 2019 12:53pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello Stacey007
The NC500 is a great trip... particularly the west and north coasts Midgies... best to go as early or late as possible during the summer, most establishments have one of these... Click image to enlarge Trailer... No problem unless you really get adventurous and probably off road also, we went everywhere with this... (except the pass over to Applecross) Click image to enlarge Wild Camping... possible with some research, we booked nowhere and went late August / September with no issues staying at camp sites... Click image to enlarge Food... was really good Click image to enlarge Sat Nav / Data... Sat Nav worked at all times... Data / Phone signal there are definite black holes, best to just go with it... Click image to enlarge We are definitely going back...the dog loved it... Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Really is a special place... Click image to enlarge Good Luck... SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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12th Nov 2019 1:48pm |
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| Tim in Scotland Member Since: 23 May 2007 Location: The Land that time forgot Posts: 3753
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Do be careful about venturing off the tarred roads up here, there are no public rights of way up here like there are south of the border. There are plenty of 4x4 clubs who welcome visitors on their off-road jaunts, done with permits / permissions from the landowners.
There are also, due to louts who cannot clear up after themselves, strict rules in popular places about wild camping, especially in the National Parks. There are plenty of official camping areas. Thank the city yobs who come out town for a weekend jolly time, cut down trees to have camp fires and litter the countryside with food waste, human waste and empty cans and broken bottles and more often than not leave all their camping equipment behind as well. Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come 2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed! |
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12th Nov 2019 2:09pm |
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