Europe UK » North Coast 500

Hi Folks

About week ago i came across a article on the BBC online. About a road in Scotland if my memory is correct called NC500. Have a few questions about this route/ride. Have any of you done this whole road? What would be the best time of year for this ride? I would be interested on any info about renting a bike in Scotland. I've also wondered about buying a used MC either in the UK or else where in Europe to ride.

Hi

I have done it a number of times though before the marketing people came up with the name and hype. The roads are brilliant, both for riding and the scenery. the people are friendly and it is an amazing experience. Weather in Scotland is very much hit and hope. The one thing many people worry about are the midgies. So I usually go end of May/early June or early September when they do not seem to be about in such great numbers. People have various ways of remedies for dealing with the midgies.

the downside that some people have noticed is that rooms in B & B's/hotels can be difficult to find now that the route has become more busy.

finally do it,

no idea about renting other than if you google there are a good number to choose from but cant recommend any particular one.

Graham

The NC500 is definitely on my bucket list! Here's a good website: https://www.northcoast500.com/explore-the-route/ and https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/tours/driving-road-trips/north-coast-500/

Been in Scotland by car and it left a big impression, would be great to ride there. And for the weather, I expect all seasons to be experienced in a trip, hopefully only no snow...
Only question I still have: what direction would be better route, clockwise or counterclockwise?

There was a interview with a pub owner who's happy about the tourist business but complained that the local can hardly in. And her staff was over worked. Midgies I'm guessing are insects?

I've been doing north west Scotland for a number if years now.

We usually rent a house for a week in Ullapool and do timeouts every day.

The roads all over the North West seem to be the best. Be aware that there a lot a single track roads.

The East Coast seems to be more Policed.

We tend to go first or second week in May but the weather can be changeable.

Highly recommended.

This year there seems to be a number of NC500 memorabilia for sale.

Picked up a nice bottle of whiskey and NC500 whiskey glass.

Go and enjoy it!

Ian

You should consider viewing The Missenden Flyer's 5? part YouTube videos of the NC500. Open YouTube and search TMF. Stick

Please note, there are lots and lots of other good roads north of Hadrian’s Wall.

An early start today let me enjoy the A701 to Moffat and onward to St Mary’s Loch with the road mostly to myself. Brill.