Doing North Coast 500 July 2018! Tips,tricks,info? Questions

[Black Betty]

So... We (3 teams -all Porsches- so far: 2 teams consisting of 2 Dutchies each and one team consisting of 2 Belgians) finally made the decision to take the plunge: we are going to do the North Coast 500 in July 2018!

We are really looking forward to it and are planning like crazy... There are -however- a few (although minor) 'problems'...

For starters it'll be our first time, so we don't really know what to expect, what to think of, what to take into consideration, etc., etc., etc.: we are just 'planning away'

We have planned to depart from Inverness Sunday the 8th of July 2018 for our first trip/tour/stint and arrive back in Inverness on the 14th of July. So we'll have exactly 1 week to complete it.
I would like to add, however, that we are planning to visit the Isle of Skye also during this trip: we are so close to it, so we thought why not...

We will take the ferry from IJmuiden (NL) to Newcastle on Friday the 6th of July and will be arriving in Newcastle on Saturday morning the 7th. From there (Newcastle) we will drive to Inverness to our first hotel from where our NC500 will start on Sunday the 8th. On Saturday the 14th of July we'll have to be back in (or near) Inverness to have our last hotel, because on Sunday the 15th of July we will have to drive to Newcastle to get our ferry back to the Netherlands

Now we have some questions and we would appreciate your answers. But if there are things we haven't thought of, please feel free to add!

Here are the questions:

- Is it doable to do the NC500 in 1 week (including a one day visit to the Isle of Skye)?
- Would you advise to do the NC500 clockwise or counterclockwise? And why?
- Are stints of 160 km's (appr. 100 miles) per day too long or too short? Or perhaps exactly right?
- Would you book hotels or B&B's beforehand, or see each day where you are and look for a hotel close to where the day's stint ends?
- Are there things to do or see or not to miss that are not directly on the NC500 route? If yes, what would that be?
- Are there things to think about, especially while driving the NC500?

Lookin' forward to your replies, tips, tricks and whatever more...

[210bhp]

Your first lunch stop on the way to Inverness could be here,

http://www.thehelix.co.uk/things-to-do/ ... cztetHTWfA

Or here,(we met here on the last Scottish Highland tour Antoine)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falkirk_Wheel



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

You may want to incorporate this on your route



Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Beware on the A9 to Inverness. It is constantly patrolled by unmarked police cars and bikes and has many speed cameras.

Save your spirited driving for the next day.

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

I would go clockwise

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

The roads from Gorstan to Lochcarron or Torridon on your way to Skye are both fantastic!


Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Try an incorporate a visit to Plockton. A small detour but well worth it on a lovely day.
Good seafood too.

Regards
Mike

[jb]

Just in case you have not seen this
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55964

The only thing I found was that even in late May it was fairly booked up according to Booking.com although if you phoned directly they may have room and welcome not paying the commission to the agent.
I only booked for the first night and then from there booked about the only place I could find initially for the night but I then extended my stay as I found that a central spot worked for me.

As always get fuel when you can.
I am told that midges might be a problem later in the year.

[Black Betty]

You may want to incorporate this on your route



Regards
Mike

And where is this?

[210bhp]

The Firth of Forth. The new Queensferry crossing (just open) north west of Edinburgh to Fife. M9/M90.

I think the only place in the UK where three different bridges cross the same water built in three different centuries.


Regards
Mike

[anglophone1]

On my list for 2018 too [or 2019 as 2018 looking busy] as easy to get ferry Belfast>Cairnrynan
Get a copy of http://www.curves-magazin.com/en/blog/c ... chottland/

Once you have done this one - start planning the Wild Atlantic Way http://www.wildatlanticway.com/stories/ ... -road-trip [make sure you watch the movie]
C

[misteralz]

You wouldn't not go over the new bridge unless you were doing a really stupid route. Top tips from a Scottish emigrant? You could come off the ferry, up the A1, city bypass, M90, A9 and be done with it, but that's boring. Pick up the A68, then the bypass and M90, then peel off it and take the A-roads to Crieff, Gilmerton, Dunkeld and pick up the bits of the old A9 from there. It'll be slower, but more fun, and you won't have to think about the stupid average speed cameras. They're not there north of Aviemore so you can relax a bit more. Also, the island has utterly retarded roads called 'dual carriageways' - if you're not used to them you really want to avoid them!
The NC500 runs better clockwise, and one day for Skye is not nearly enough. I'd avoid it and plan another trip for a couple of weeks to take in Skye, Lewis, Harris, etc.

[DEEMAN]

In the main, I agree with Misteralz, give Skye a miss, you will see better elsewhere.
I also may suggest you take north east route to Inverness rather than get tangled up with the mass of vehicles, police vigilance and not very exciting obvious route.
Think about using the A68 through Jedburg to Edinburgh. Over the new bridge and onto Perth and then use the A93 to Glenshee, Braemar, Tomintoul, Grantown, Inverness.
Super Porsche roads the whole way. According to Google it will take 8 hours rather than 6 hours using the Motorways and A9.
Others will chip in about the NW500 but it can get busy accommodation-wise so booking ahead may be a good idea. 100 miles a day is great, give you time to stop off and look around. If you can get the chance to go over onto Cape Wrath (NE tip of UK) then do it. You need to leave your cars and book onto a mini bus as it goes through private land that was used a military range for the army and there is still live ammunition around!!!! You need three hours or so for this.
Over to others for their suggestions.

[210bhp]

Cape Wrath is the extreme NW tip of the UK.

Regards
Mike

[210bhp]

Antoine

I'm thinking,
We could gate crash your party!

Regards
Mike

Ps

And do some of the overnight organisation