Beauly Priory hotel does good grub & is a step above your usual run of mill places. We even have an Indian restaurant, very very good.

Next year I know but would we be driving further North or staying over night.

Just to point out, at my stage of life I could not manage a tent.. Aye for more than one reason..

If we do the Applecross pass we will have to double back on ourselves to see (as Jimboy has already mentioned) the View down the the A832 towards Loch Maree. A view I could never tire of seeing

Best to see the Loch Maree view, then reverse to the pass. I mean came all this way why not?

Hope none of my posts came across as argumentative. It's all valid feedback and of course everyone should get the most out of this trip. If you want to push on a bit that's cool. First one to the hotel gets the beer in!

Agree, nothing is set in stone and everyone should enjoy as they think fit. Some of it may be in convoy, others not - we can always meet up for meals, pints later whatever.

Is there phone reception in the far north?

(runs and hides.....)

Can live without a phone. Can't live without V-Power or Tesco Momentum.

Agree Simon. Phone reception is reasonably good. I'm happy to go with the flow. Three nights or a bit longer dependant on what's on offer. I don't have to sell this part of Scotland, the problem being there is so much to see...The triple buttress mountain Coire Mhic Fhearchair is amazing, the islands on Loch Maree, sorry for rabbiting on, but anyone not familiar with this part of Scotland will be in for a treat.

I used to travel on these roads a few times a year & I never got fed up with the sights, in fact I would see other things to add to my sight seeing. I'm a bit of a foodie, the grub is excellent in most places & of course there is always that very special meal..

Jim you as much as anyone are doing one hell of a job selling this to me

Simon, I look forward to having a meal in your company & maybe some refreshment of some description & of course the good old Scottish craic. Slange.

Aye likewise Jim, it'll be like Still Game

But who would be Iza???

Or Boaby

Aye Simon, we auld yins need to stick together...
Sure we could find some old slapper that would fit the bill...

So we are looking at a 1st night, somewhere West of Beauly, then team..?

Fair point Bern, it was more a question of coordination if we got split up or in the event of a breakdown....

In Marko's case he might have driven so fast we might have to rescue him from an unexpected ascent to the summit of a Munro...

In the event of a breakdown- we shall all converge regardless I think (hope)!

people could perhaps use the 'glympse' app, which lets an observer see where you are... However, we're a bit far from the event to confront specifics yet. I dare say that might well be to inverse of a 'free drive'..

I expect Marko will have driven so fast that after disappearing ahead- he will appear again from behind!

As said some time away, but securing Hotels/B&B is essential. Applecross Inn is only a couple of hours away from Beauly, dial in a wee bit more for rubber necking at the scenery. Perhaps this could be our first stop over.

This place is very popular & has to pre-booked well in advance. Does this fit in with you chaps.....Just a suggestion by the way.

Look it up gentlemen...

Just for the record, I don't mind sharing a room if that helps anyone.....

@ Simon. For sure keeping in touch is essential. The route and destinations will be agreed and understood by all in detail prior to departure so as you say breakdown should be the only real concern. I have 3 Motorola radios that I'll bring, they've a decent range on the road. If anyone else has some I'd suggest bring and share. Whoever is bringing up the rear should have one to raise the alarm if anyone does have difficulties.
We can also agree in advance that each of us brings various tools or handy items (i.e. socket sets, duck tape, jump leads or whatever) so we can help each other out if necessary.
No issue with pre-booking accommodation well in advance, soon as a few more details are worked out.
@ Jimboy - be careful with that brave offer. Could easily get stuck with someone who snores effin loud! If Rachel Nichols turns up I'll take one for the team and share with her.

Great minds think alike Jim!
I was about to suggest we start out from Applecross. I might come up that way via Glenfinnan/Glenuig then Mallaig and Skye. A longer route I know but far more interesting, and I don't fancy driving the A9 now they have average speed cams on it. I also - like most of us I suspect - driven the A9 too many times.

@Barney. Another great mind! Walkie-Talkies are a great idea. I was intending on bringing a couple as well. I used them last year on the way to Spa with Simon and in 2012. Much easier and quicker to use in car than a phone.

http://www.northcoast500.com/home.aspx

Is the intention to do the north coast route?
As I do not think we can do it in 3 overnight stops without committing to a lot more daily driving than would be comfortable , especially if we do the Applecross pass or stop there the first night. We would need to be much further up the west coast for the first overnight stop to make a 3 night trip more viable and enjoyable. As most of us are in the Lothian area - ideally we would(I would anyway) want to be within 3-4 hours driving time from home at the last overnight stop. That is basically back in the Beauly/Inverness area or the Fort William & Lochaber area if we do a different trip.

Just putting this idea out there....
How about we meet at Ullapool(or ???) first night and then make a more leisurely trip down the West Coast via Poolewe Apllecross,- Plockton/Kyle of Lochalsh - Skye - Mallaig or another route! and finish of the last night in Glenfinnan. Then all head home from there. Or do it the other way?

I am happy to do the North Coast Route by the way

Believe it or not gentlemen you can do this route quicker than you think, the wee spanner in the works so to speak is taking in the scenery & stopping from time to time just to do that, then there's getting the craic with everybody etc, etc. I don't mind admitting I'm a tad excited about all this, it's been a while I've been let loose with other guys to play.

In all seriousness I hope this comes off one way or another. I understand it's next year, but accommodation can't be had on a whim up here as it used to be, times have changed, booking is essential.

I will go with the flow, but obviously a wee bit of planning will have to be in place, such as deposits for Hotels/B&B...

I get vibes the same as myself on this, we are keen that this is a goer & perhaps a yearly event. Many variations can be had, but perhaps we could discus this on our first "bacchanalia"

Jim, I suspect there's quite a lot about you us southerners are not aware of

Aye Simon. There was a time when I was in the oil industry I worked & played hard, those days are a distant memory now, however, perhaps cheek, tongue..ach you never know until we all meet

Aye we could drive it in one day Jim, but as you have said the pleasurable things get in the way




Another reason it could take longer than we think

That's hilarious...

Yes, Marko, you might have a point there- tempting as it is to meet Jimboy on his home ground first, I'd LOVE to come up through Fort William/Mòrar/ Mallaig, ferry to Skye and then back to Applecross from there...

I was going to let enthusiam build a bit more before trying to herd folk towards specifics, but I think the option of starting 'high' and going backwards/forwards is too good to rule out...

And with regard to whether we are doing the whole 500- I must admit to something of a ruse. Obviously people can do whatever they want and join/leave/rejoin the group as they wish, but in fact I put the whole 'North Coast 500' thing out there to whet people's appetites for a general trip in this part of the world.

I think the best part of this trip is undoubtedly the West Coast section and although I will very happily drive the whole thing (no hardship), it may be the case that (as you say) with the time that most people can afford, and dialling in the sociality I think we are all hoping for, that we spend three nights on the West Coast alone.

Those who wish to, could continue with the mission after the 3-nighters depart...

Thoughts..?


P.S. Bern- can you post a link to the type of Motorola RF handset that you've got? I've done similar things in the past with a pair that I borrowed and they are VERY useful. I imagine, if they are similar, we can buy additional handsets to add to the group...

We'll all need call signs!! It'll be like 'Convoy'!!!!? (Maybe not)

Correction and apologies, it's a pair of Binatone Action 950 radios I have. Field tested around Europe in 2011. Current version is the 'Action 1100'. <<<Amazon link here>>>
They're analogue PMR446 which I assume will be compatible with the same from other manufacturers.
Top tip... The supplied batteries are junk, better to replace with eneloop pro and bring some spares.

Copy that good buddy, for sure, for sure. Watch out for them smokies....

Aye can't resist. If my playground is going to be past.. some good eateries in Fort William or Mallaig. I could meet you Southerners at the Fort'

As regards route... I've no complaints if we don't do the full 500. Will go along with the crowd...
Wife and I have friends in Arisaig and we're very fond of the Cnoc-na-Faire B&B. Highly recommended though doesn't have many rooms.
Traveling from the Lothians I would say Arisaig / Mallaig would make a reasonable target destination for the first night.
How about someone posting up some Google Map links illustrating proposed routes?

Dante - have you looked at the price of the Mallaig ferry these days?

The road from Armadale to Broadford is improved in recent years but unless you want to visit the MacDonald centre there's not a lot of reason; I'd argue that a better Skye round trip is Kyle - Broadford - Sligachan - Portree - Rigg - Staffin - then either around the top or across the Quirang - Uig - Borve - Edinbane - Dunvegan - (possible diversion to the Talisker distillery at Carbost, coincidentally passing the Michelin-starred but hideously expensive Three Chimneys Restaurant) - Sligachan - Kyle.

Recommended places to eat: Sligachan Hotel, or the Skye Pie Cafe at Culnacnoc.

Not that I've spent a lot of time driving around there, of course... some excellent roads, a few single track but still huge fun, and the best two corners on the island at Drynoch.

I really like Talisker!!! That's a must if any bargains can be had.