Advise about the North Coast 500 (NC500).

[MartinDK1977]

Hello, everyone.

I'm planning a drive along the famous North Coast 500 route next June and am after some advise from people that have done it. I've worked out a rough itinerary and hoping someone can help pin it down some more. I'll be travelling alone due to the fact that I'm single so I want to try and stay in places along the route where there is at least some sign of life and things to do. Anyway, details below...

Sunday (week one):
Drive from London to Inverness. Check in at hotel in the evening.

Monday:
Spend the day in Inverness.

Tuesday:
Check out of Inverness hotel and drive to Dornoch. Check in at Dornoch hotel.

Wednesday:
Spend the day in Dornoch.

Thursday:
Check out of Dornoch hotel and drive to John O’Groats. Check in at JOG hotel.

Friday:
Spend the day in JOG.

Saturday (week two):
Check out of JOG hotel and drive to Tongue. Check in at Tongue hotel.

Sunday:
Spend the day in Tongue.

Monday:
Check out of Tongue hotel and drive to Durness. Check in at Durness hotel.

Tuesday:
Spend the day in Durness.

Wednesday:
Check out of Durness hotel and drive to Achmelvich. Check in at Achmelvich hotel.

Thursday:
Spend the day in Achmelvich.

Friday:
Check out of Achmelvich hotel and drive to Ullapool. Check in at Ullapool hotel.

Saturday (week three):
Spend the day in Ullapool.

Sunday:
Check out of Ullapool hotel and drive to Torridon. Check in at Torridon hotel.

Monday:
Spend the day in Torridon.

Tuesday:
Check out of Torridon hotel and drive to Lochcarron. Check in at Lochcarron hotel.

Wednesday.
Spend the day in Lochcarron.

Thursday.
Check out of Lochcarron hotel and drive to Inverness. Check in at Inverness hotel.

Friday:
Check out of Inverness hotel and drive back to London.

Thoughts?

 

[Uncle Benz]

Avoid the Culag hotel in Lochinver at all costs, unless you seek an authentic WW2 Colditz experience. We skipped breakfast and tunnelled out just before daybreak. My night there could best be described as “itchy”

 

[daveenty]

Don't know about the hotels or stopovers but would suggest that London to Inverness is one massive chunk of motoring, probably 10 or so hours on a clear run and I'd be surprised if you get one of those on a Sunday. I'd be tempted to break that up by stopping over around the halfway mark, same on the return trip.

This is possibly just a "me" thing but it's something I wouldn't be happy to be doing, especially with the amount of traffic nowadays.

 

[KennyN]

Just make sure there are enough activities to keep you busy for the day at your chosen stops as you will struggle to fill your day in Tongue / JOG / Torridon etc especially if the weather is on the wet side.

Smoo caves / the Eagle zip wire at Durness / Dunrobin Castle / Dolphin spotting at Chanonry point along with numerous distillery visits are worth a visit.

If you can on the way down the West Coast pop into Eilean Donan castle for a look , it is stunning but you may need to book in advance.



K

 

[Uncle Benz]

We broke our trip from Sussex at the Bridge Hotel in Buttermere. The Honister pass is well worth the very small detour

 

[M80]

I would aim for Plockton rather than Loch Carron.
Spending time around the Gairloch, and enjoying Loch Marie would be far from a mistake.

Ruducing you daily mileage would enhance the experience imo.

Nowt wrong with inverness for a day or four also. As a city it's nothing like London, thankfully.
A drive on the south side of Loch Ness might be a pleasure,
walking the falls at Foyers, with lunch at Dores later.

If you visit Culloden likely as not you'll spend longer there than the transvestite ugly prince did.

 

[Alastairp]

This is a great place to stay at the top end of M6 just off the motorway - perfect whether travelling North or South:

The Fleece at Ruleholme

The Fleece at Ruleholme is a traditional country inn which marries rural charm and comfort with luxury, decadence, and unrivaled quality.

thefleeceruleholme.com

No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer (twice).