WebBest Price Guarantee. Everyone has a low day on a cycling tour of this length, be it physically or mentally. Hi Janis, Thanks! Do you know if wed manage the coast road there and back in the van as we want to meet at Applecross for lunch. They will be very grateful! Some of the rooms enjoy glorious views towards the Moray Firth.Our caf offers guests a selection of hot & cold beverages and confectionery throughout the day. In summer, he said, 50% of their business comes from flat tyres. Thank you on a detailed impressive guide! I am planning to do so next year if the covid allows. For lodging, we have places listed on our itinerary for each recommended night, but since you are planning on basing in different places for multiple nights, you might also want to check out our B&B guide and our hotel guide which give some more recommendations along the route. Its an iconic hill here and attracts a lot of hikers and climbers in the warmer months. The Brora Club Site offers touring pitches for caravans and motorhomes, as well as non-electric pitches for tents. Distance. This makes the focus the next 20-25 miles opposed to a full day. Two Scots with a passion for adventure and a craving to see, well .. everything! Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel is an ideal base for backpackers, groups or families looking to explore the country's capital city. You can also consider route information on sites like the National Cycle Network, Cycling UK and Sustrans websites. What a brilliant resource and fabulous guide. So I would suggest perhaps modifying your stay on Day 4 to be in Achiltibuie or Ullapool. With loads of bars, restaurants and shops to explore and try along the seafront of Ullapool, we highly recommend this campsite for during your visit to the port town. I strongly recommend checking out the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website which covers information, tips, and guidelines relevant to campers, cyclists, hill walkers, dog owners, horse riders, farmers, beach goers, park visitors, and more! for use in a campervan) and their size is regulated and these must be declared for inspection. The speed limits are often low and single-track roads mean a lot of slowing down and stopping. All of your accommodation is booked, lunch is provided along with brew and snack stops in the morning and afternoon, plus well even reserve tables for the evening meal. ), Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. But generally, to rent a car in Scotland (or elsewhere in the UK), you must be at least 21 to 30 years old (many have 23 as an age limit) depending on the vehicle category and car rental agency, have held a valid driving license for at least a year (some require up to 3 years), and the drivers license must be in English or using the Latin alphabet. But happy to suggest a specific place if you have a budget in mind. Heres a brief introduction to passing on single-track roads if you have never driven on one before. We promise the best rate every time you book with us directly online or by email at: hello@hostellingscotland.org.uk. The hostel's central location makes it the perfect accommodation choice for Edinburgh's Fringe Festival. We have 13 nights early may 2023 and my plan is, after picking our rental car at Inverness airport, Dornoch-thurso-durness (if we can find accomodation)-lochinver-sheldiag (2)-skye (3)-Glencoe(3)-Lochness. It is not uncommon to see animals, especially sheep, on or right next to the road. How Do I Find and Stay on the North Coast 500 route? If you have a lot of time, you can also traverse it by foot. It depends on what you are most interested in photographing whether it is wildlife, coastline, castles, villages, historical sites, lochs, etc. This is on the southwestern part of the route over by Applecross. But luckily, there are alternative routes for the most narrow sections. This famous town sits as a bucket list destination to many travellers, some of whom have it in their sights as the finishing line for the 874-mile journey from Lands End in the south of Cornwall. It is probably more similar to Irelands Wild Atlantic Way but every route has its own unique personality and charm! There are Highland coos, goats, sheep, etc. The main thing with dogs in this area is that they will need to be kept on a lead (leash) in most places because of livestock and wildlife. Here is a guide to some of the, There are a lot of great sites, depending on your interests, in and around Inverness such as, If your interests lie in historical sites (churches, museums, prehistoric sites, old homes), Id highly recommend checking out the, To save money, Id also take a look at the, or those interested in geology, Id recommend heading to the. Most bike companies also rent bike gear and accessories and some also can arrange for guided day or multi-day tours. Anyway, hope the above helps and just let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip to Scotland. The hills begin to tower overhead and castles sit high above the still waters of lochs, waiting for the return of their lords or the hero to slay their resident dragons. Id read about it first and see if it is a good fit. Please could you tell me if she is likely to have any problems getting a phone signal when shes in the more rural areas? To be honest, your posts on Scotland have me thinking maybe we should consider moving to Scotland as were looking to move somewhere new! Follow themed trails like the Strathnaver Trail, Pictish Trail, or Pebble Routes to learn about some specific subjects and get off the beaten path. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The rest of the day is spent on some simply brilliant roads. My philosophy is that you should ride LEJOG at your own pace. Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel is an ideal base for backpackers, groups or families looking to explore the country's capital city. Many thanks in advance On every LEJOG our support van carries two spare bikes and on most tours they will get some use, although usually only for part of a day. As you say, there are plenty of other places to occupy our attention. You can certainly do LEJOG without the need of a tour company such as Pedal Britain. We will be travelling the route on Saturday 12th of July with my husband, myself and our two children ( 6 and 5 years old). I will be driving and will be solo for the whole trip, would that be a concern? If you are doing this, you can complete LEJOG. Far removed from the rest of the UK, this tiny village has only two entrances, one along the northern coast of the peninsula and one that wide its way directly up the ridge of Beinn Bhan, also known as the Bealach an Ba. For instance, even cars rented in Ireland can sometimes not be brought by ferry over to Scotland. This site is perfectly located for checking out the local wildlife, climbing Dunnet Head to admire the view and taking a boat to the Duncansby Stacks to see the local bird populations. If your interests lie in historical sites (churches, museums, prehistoric sites, old homes), Id highly recommend checking out the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland websites, as both manage many of Scotlands historical sites. Your email address will not be published. Weather forecast up to 14 days including temperature, weather condition and precipitation and much more. The road WebThe roads tend to get busy just after 9am and quieter again around 5pm, but even leaving, say, Ullapool at 10am, most of the tourists will be ahead of you in the wave. -Day 6: Torridon to Lochcarron area: Pathend Bed & Breakfast A wonderful feature of this day is crossing the river Fal on the King Harry chain ferry (one of only five in the UK). No matter where you dine, Id highly recommend trying dishes using the local produce and products such as local seafood (e.g., salmon, crabs, scallops), lamb, game, Stornoway black pudding (from the Isle of Lewis), and fresh in-season vegetables. For the return trip, there are train stations at Wick, 16 miles from John OGroats and Thurso, 20 miles away. June. Posted 3 weeks ago scruff9252 I know that many of the museums and visitor centers are wheelchair accessible and therefore accessible with a rollator. A must-do is the obligatory picture at the Welcome to Scotland sign at the border. With an onsite bar and restaurant, stocked full of all the best Scotch Whisky, this cosy campsite is ideal for your stay in the north-west of Scotland. Castles and long hikes are not on our itnerary but we love unplanned stops at secluded beaches, wooded paths along the way. This way all you need to worry about in advance is your transportation and camping gear and you will have the flexibility of either traditional lodging or camping each night. Then the second section will explain how to find and stay on the North Coast 500, provide driving safety tips, list local car and, The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the, The NC500 is not an actual single road or highway like, However, you can of course start and end your drive wherever you please. Autumn/Winter. But you know what your limits are. Stroll along the banks of the River Ness and discover the city's fine bars and restaurants or head to the Victorian Market or Eastgate Shopping Centre for a bit of retail therapy. I am guessing you are specifically referring specifically to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)? Unfortunately we dont have an other option that go within the Dutch holliday weeks because of school. Hermaness national nature reserve Unst/Shetland 11th June 2022 Unicorn Tours North of Ullapool up to Cape Wrath (Northwest Cape) Northcoast - Sutherland - Durness & beaches. If you only have a day or two, you might consider doing a couple day tours from Inverness that explore some of the NC500 highlights, such as thisin-depth Black Isle day tour (including optional dolphin cruise), this tour of Wester Ross (including Applecross & the Bealach Na Ba), or this day tour up north to John OGroats (includes visit to Dunrobin Castle and Duncansby Head). The only planned activity i would like to do is the full day sea kayaking near Ullapool i read about above. We are hoping to bicycle the route this spring. You should carry out your own due diligence and take professional advice. There is the Collins NC500 Pocket Map and the 500 Route around the Northern Highlands road map by Yellow Publications. In addition to nature and wildlife, there are loads of things to see and do along the route which include hiking, golfing, castles, heritage sites, prehistoric sites, a geological park, museums, beaches, You can also sample the local food of the Scottish Highlands and stay in unique lodging from simple B&Bs and inns to grand family country homes to luxurious castles. Time: 3 hours. The laundry facilities are 2 for the washing machine and 1 for 30 minutes in the drier. Loch Fleet This national reserve is a nice spot and there are plenty of walking trails, many flat and easy. Are there any parts of the trip that you would advise us to avoid with a van of this size. Among the longer hikes here, the Sandwood Bay hike would be within your distance, it is about 8 miles (4 miles each way) and it considered one of the nicest and most remote beaches in Scotland you could hike in during the morning, enjoy a picnic lunch and time on beach in afternoon, and then hike back out for a nice day out. Tell us about your LEJOG/UK end to end experiences below! Bear in mind though that these patch ups still require a certain level of knowledge and a comprehensive toolkit. Mel, Hi Mel, Sounds like you have a fun road trip coming up. I have a blue badge for my car and walk using a rollator with a seat. Wild animals, particularly deer, may also be on the road and are much more likely to run out in front of you. Since I loved my road trip to Isle of Skye I think I would really enjoy this one as well. Along the North Coast 500, Ullapool has the second largest number of lodging options, and you We stayed at the Inverness youth hostel for 2 nights recently on the way, and on the way back from a visit to family in England. There is a small charge of 5 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels. It has been one of our favorite castle hotels and is one of the nicest; however, it is more pricey than those around the NC500. WebDurness Campsites. For dog-friendly accommodation along the North Coast 500, you can see our North Coast 500 hotels guideandNC500 B&Bs guide as both note if each recommended hotel or B&B is dog-friendly or not at last check. Where was your favourite stop? Book your stay at the Broomfield Holiday park here. There is also of course the National 1 cycle route that runs through this area and you could do sections of that. All of the above issues are easy to avoid by following road safety guidelines and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Having a van with track pumps and driver/guide close by, to help if needed, is also comforting. Distance. Of course there are also loads of sheep and the iconic Highland coos which youll spot in the fields. The mountains are a great way to get away from the crowds. Best regards from the Emsland. If you are planning to use campsites on your way around the NC500, we recommend investing in a Camping and Caravanning club membership. Be extra mindful for deer in the early morning and evening hours when they are most active. I now have the next week cleared up and want to take up drive up. Hope that helps and just let us know if you have more questions as you continue planning your trip! If you are looking for an easy archaeological site to visit, Crn Liath (an Iron Age broch) is a short walk from the parking area. When to go. As noted, the weather is pretty unpredictable year round and Id come prepared for some cool weather and rain. Continuing south along the west coast of Scotland, you will eventually reach the peaceful spot of Scourie Caravan and Camping campsite. Paul. although the lovely scenery has probably not changed a great deal since your first visit. As the crow flies, the geographically direct route between Lands End and John o Groats is 603 miles (970km). Luggage storage is free for all guests.Meeting room facilities can accommodate up to 30 people (theatre style) or 20 (boardroom style) with flexible catering packages available. This starts with being in the right positive frame of mind; youve done the training now time to enjoy the experience. The NC500 is not an actual single road or highway like Route 66 or the Pacific Coast Highway, but is a series of existing roads that form a loop around the northern Highlands. At least one adult is required in the party when booking. Web(Ullapool or) Kylesku Bridge Durness (42 miles) Leaving Ullapool (again) head north to Cape Wrath, leave early (and be flexible) if you plan to take the ferry ride over the Kyle of Durness and then the bus to the most northern-westerly lighthouse on the mainland. Id allow at least 3 days for any island you choose to have enough time to explore the highlights. No time to read now? or call our reservations team on +44 (0)345 293 7373 ( I must get back rental car in the early morning at Edinburgh/ or evening). Glad to hear that you have found our North Coast 500 guide helpful in planning your trip. It is hard to accidentally stray too far from the route. Web9/24/2022 12:00:00 AM . Best, Jessica, Hi, Your guide is great, easy to read and not dry! There are also general Facebook communities you can join as well and Id do a search for travel companions. pat. Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Site. Stuart McAlpine. Hoping to go to Skye for a night or 2 and maybe isle of Harris and Mull depending on time. We are travelling from N.Ireland Thanks David. To get even further away, head to towns and areas located just off the official route, such as Nairn, Borgie, Altnaharra, Portmahomack, Cape Wrath, Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve, or Bonar Bridge. I hope that you are able to do the NC500 road trip next year once everything is opened back up. Another trick is ordering kit or parts online is to arrive at the accommodation or bike shop a day or two ahead. Youll need to check any route you download very thoroughly dont assume its the best route out there or on the best roads. I hope it encourages you to return the next year with more time to do the trip and can spend more time in the area! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But just let us know if you have any questions. Of course there are also loads of sheep and the iconic Highland coos which youll spot in the fields. Thanks I will be going on my motorcycle and want to do Having said that, it would be great if you could provide us with some advice, considering the following: 1. Hi Jessica and Laurence, We are walking the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way ending our walk in Inverness at the Ardross Glencairn Guest house on May 24th. There are fantastic views from Sharpitor, a tough 18 miles through the National Park via Princeton to Moretonhampstead. I cant find so much useful information for a long time in russian search sites. The North Coast 500 is often called Scotlands version of Route 66, especially by mainstream media. The most crowded sections are probably around Inverness, the Inverness to Thurso section, around Ullapool, and the Bealach Na Ba road near Applecross. Day 3 Overnight in Durness Bike shops on LEJOG routes are usually incredibly helpful. You can take the Inverness to Thurso train route (it also branches to Wick as well) train route and then head back to Inverness and take the train line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh. I am planning a 6 day trip starting from Glasgow and ending at Inverness with my wife and 2 teen kids stopping at Fort Augustus, Dunnet, Scourie and Dingwall. Glad you found our North Coast 500 road trip planning guide helpful! If you are looking for places to travel in Scotland where there are lots of hostels and cheaper places to stay Id recommend looking at the larger cities in Scotland as these are well connected by public transit (both train and bus, which will save you money so you dont need a rental car) and offer hostels your chances of couchsurfing there would also be much higher. Its a whirlwind tour of 3 days/2 nights, but it would get you around the north quickly and safely without worrying about driving. How Many Days Does it Take to Drive the North Coast 500? Webweather London - United Kingdom - WeatherOnline. Guests arriving before check in time are welcome to leave their luggage in the secure store, Group catering packages available on request and by prior arrangement, University of St Andrews Triathlon and Road Cycling Club. What can you recommend me? Please check your e-mail to confirm your sign up. Pete, It is the official map put out by the NC500 organization. If you have never driven in Scotland before, youll want to review some of the driving laws and road safety tips before your North Coast 500 road trip. Heading inland on quiet, narrow country lanes, with customary high hedgerows and through tranquil villages, you begin to earn the fabulous cream tea lunch we provide a must do in this area! As mentioned, wed recommend you are cycling at least 100 miles per week in the build up. We like traveling NC500 in winter but it does snow up there and last winter we did have to stop for a day because of the road conditions. It was honestly a little traumatic. The issue is what to do if for some reason you get delayed whether due to a mechanical or illness/accident. We ride through the village of Lairg and alongside Loch Shin into proper wilderness before climbing to lunch at the famously isolated Crask Inn. Hope that helps and let us know if you have further questions as you continue your planning. #freeyourlifetravel. But it sounds like you still had some great stays on the NC500 and were well looked after by the hosts and staff along the route. Other attractions worth exploring include: The People's Palace; Glasgow School of Art; Glasgow Cathedral; Riverside Distillery I wanted to set up a business that addresses the issues I experienced and puts customers at the heart of everything we do. Here are the best campsites in northeast Scotland that you should check out. From Inverness, Ullapool lies approximately 55 miles or 100km west along the A835 through stunning scenery. Ah, glad you got some experience driving in Ireland, that will definitely come in handy for Scotland. Yes, road safety is definitely a concern and we have almost been hit a few times driving around the Highlands with crazy tourists (and locals) speeding along. Yes, if it is not currently available online, you should be able to pick it up at the visitor centers along the route. The cookie also tracks the behavior of the user across the web on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. of these areas, Id do a little research on sites of interest and plan your itinerary accordingly. Best, Jessica. There are a number of myths about JOGLE v LEJOG, the most common being that the JOGLE route is easier as you are going downhill. Drive further north to Lochinver and Assynt up to the world famous beaches of Achmelvich, Clachtoll, Oldshoremore and Sandwood Bay, passing through the North West GeoPark and the famous peaks such as Suilven, visiting Scourie, Kinlochbervie and Durness to reach the stunning north coast where you can visit Cape Wrath and John O'Groats. Day 5-6 Overnight in Sheldaig, Strathcarron (I assume you mean the one near Torridon/Applecross, there is also a place of same name a little further north near Gairloch so just be sure to check where you are booking on the map when it comes to lodging) We had everything booked for July 2020, but something small came up. I did want to provide some advise for people not used to driving in the highlands. Need to book in advance. Just note that the water is always cold, even in the summer so bring a drysuit or wetsuit if you want to spend some time in the water! In the heart of the quaint, highland village of Contin is the beautiful campsite known as the Riverside Chalet and Caravan Park. If you want to drive along without a set itinerary and are flexible about where you stay, Id try to book at least a night or two in advance just so you know that you have a place to stay each evening. Youll also need to drive on single track roads for part of the route and be able to successfully reverse your car into parking spaces. LEJOG is a bucket list ride, taking you 1,000 miles across the UK, from the tip of Cornwall all the way to the top of Scotland. Also many of the lodging providers we recommend have already told us they are mostly booked or fully booked for 2020 so planning your trip for 2021 or going during the off-season may be a good idea , Wishing you safe and happy travels, In the summer of 2016 I visited the western part of the NC500 together with my son for two weeks, my wife joined us for another week (from Inverness to Glen Affric, Durness, Old Man of Stoer, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Fort William, Glencoe, Loch Awe an then back home). Emily. If you are trying to plan your route and what attractions you might want to stop at along the route, we recommend that you take a look at our detailed 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary. Glasgow could never be described as shy and retiring. If you are planning on camping, you can check out this 1 week NC500 camping itinerary. When dogs are in a vehicle in the UK they need to be properly restrained for safety. As for the rest of the year, the temperature in Scotland and the central heartlands is reasonably mild for most of the year. Main rental car companies include Avis,Budget, Thrifty, Arnold Clark, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Focus Vehicle Rental. Prices at the Inverewe Club site range from 7-13/night for tents, motorhomes and caravans, with and without electricity. WebEdinburgh Central is a 5 star, VisitScotland accredited youth hostel in the heart of Scotland's capital. I would just be sure to not let your tank get near empty and you should be fine if you stop when you have the chance before getting too low. Lodging options cover just about every budget and lodging type, but dont expect to find hotel chains or massive resort-style properties. Stopping in the middle of the road to take in a view or photo is holding up traffic and may result in an accident. The North Coast 500 is not a route for those who want to drive fast. We list many suggested hikes within our 7-day North Coast 500 itinerary so Id start there as I list hikes on just about every day and many have links to trail descriptions. May is a good time of year to travel in Scotland, it tends to be one of the better weather months. Our guests often tell us that not having to worry about accommodation reservations (or transporting their luggage) makes the whole LEJOG experience enjoyable and hassle free. If you are planning to camp, you have a lot of options and should be able to find facilities throughout the route from April to September. Are there places that I can call for a shuttle? Feel free to ask us any questions about the route as you start planning your trip! The hike up to ruined Castle Varrich or Caisteal Bharraich (hike starts near the Ben Loyal hotel) is a great short hike for anyone looking for something to do outside for a couple of hours in Tongue. It means we can avoid many of the main urban areas and you can mainly cycle on quiet, country roads. Weve done kayaking and canoeing trips and Laurence and my brother just booked a trip in May to do a overnight hiking/camping/kayaking trip with him. The simple answer is no, there is no train route that approximates the route and an entire portion of the northwest of Scotland has no train connections. We toured with these guys around the up-and-coming Heart 200 road trip in Scotlands central highlands and could not believe the comfort and customer service we experienced with their vans.

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