#510785
Postby scotia » June 29th, 2022, 11:00 pm
I don't think a group of cars travelling together round the NC500 is a good idea. Much of it is single track road with passing places - totally unsuited for a convoy of nose to tail driving. If you want to see that part of the country, do it by yourself. Alternatively - at least let each participant start out at a staggered time. And make sure you are competent at reversing on a narrow twisty road - because you are likely to find other drivers (e.g. in Motorhomes), coming in the opposite direction, who are incapable of reversing. And try to avoid getting another driver on your tail, because you may find yourself (as I have) with vehicles approaching in front, and a vehicle close behind - neither of which could apparently reverse.
There is no guarantee of fair weather at any time, but September is getting on in the season - so remember to pack up your wet and cold weather gear.
Take your time - and explore. I'm most familiar with the east and north coasts, and the west coast down to Ullapool, but I have travelled over the other sections.
A few things I like to do. From Inverness, proceed over the bridge and onto the Black Isle, and visit Chanonry point to hopefully see the Dolphins. Continuing up the East coast, passing Dornoch you should see the controversial statue of the Duke of Sutherland on Ben Bhraggie, and further up his abode at Dunrobin castle, built in the form of a French Chateau. Its well worth a visit. Continuing north, via the (much improved) Berriedale Braes, there are a number of small villages with harbours - Lybster is my favourite. I'm not so keen on the vast array of Wind Turbines recently built just off the coast. Wick (my wife's birthplace) now has a busy harbour servicing the Windfarm, and it contains a large (and busy) marina for yachts. The main fishing port is now at Scrabster. The Wick harbour is surrounded by posters showing past days when you could walk from one side of the harbour to the other on the decks of fishing boats. There is also an interesting museum. Down near the harbour we like to eat at Bord de l'eau. The wife (front of house) is a Wicker, her husband (the cook) is French.
Don't miss out the John O'Groats corner. From the harbour you can take a day trip to Orkney, or take a shorter nature cruise, although in September the sea birds will have departed from the cliffs. The Castle of Mey is worth a visit - particularly the walled garden which is impressive, given its northerly position. You can head for the most northerly point at Dunnet Head, and the 2 mile long sandy beach of Dunnet Bay. On its far side is a harbour which exported Caithness flagstones all around the world ( until concrete slabs took over). We have stayed several times in the John O'Groats Hotel and its associated Lodges, and have been pleased with the accommodation.
Further west lies Thurso - and if any of your companions are keen surfers, then they will know that "Thurso-East is probably the most perfect right-hand breaking wave in Europe". Further west we have previously stayed (and dined) in the Forss House Hotel which we also enjoyed. From that point westward, the population density is low, and although hotels exist, we never seem to have discovered one that we really liked. There are numerous beautiful sandy beaches - often with nobody but yourself for company - e.g. at the Kyle of Tongue. Further west there is Loch Eribol (or called Loch 'orribol by the Navy seamen stationed here in WW2). There's a plan to setup a space port nearby. Then onto the village of Durness. You may wish to take the trip out to Cape Wrath - by boat and mini-bus along a rough track. Now travelling south, there is little population on the road, but you can divert out to Kinlochbervie, which is/was a very busy fishing port. The beach (near Kinlochbervie) at Oldshoremore is particularly attractive, especially when the surrounding machair is in bloom.
Continuing south you will reach the Kylesku Bridge - which has been described as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world (I agree!). The Kylesku Hotel has undergone a major upgrade and is now one of our favourite eating places in that area. From Kylesku to Lochinver, you can take the narrow, twisty, hilly route passing through Drumbeg, Clashnessie, Stoer and Clachtoll. You need to divert seaward to Achmelvich bay - but its worth the effort.
Finally - on to Lochinver, where I'll leave someone else to describe the remainder of the route. When discussing eating in Lochinver, often the Pie place is mentioned. Its fine - but there are several other good eating places. There used to be a Chez Roux at the Inver Lodge Hotel, but on our last visit it had been replaced with new management - although the replacement was still pretty good. For those with deep wallets, a stay at the Inver Lodge may provide a touch of luxury.