NC500 in October

[CatmanV2]

Madness or not? Assuming I have a suitable car and Mexico is closed for business.

Answers on a postcard, please

C

 

[Contigo]

October probably latest want to do it!!!!

 

[zagatoes30]

Some of the roads up there are awesome but weather can be fickle, October should be OK

 

[CatmanV2]

It's going to be early October

C

 

[davy83]

midges!! take insect spray and waterproofs. However if you get some of that clear Autumnal weather it can be magical.

 

[2b1ask1]

Midges, midges, spectacular views oh and don’t forget the midges. You don’t need a special car as most of the roads are twisty and narrow, plenty of slow moving stuff. Alex did it last year late spring and thoroughly enjoyed it in a 39 year old VW T2 so you get the pace you can expect. Oh don’t forget the midges!

 

[2b1ask1]

On the plus side a good chunk of it is also on the whiskey trail!

 

[Manc5]

I would.. but as above insect repellent + bite cream + waterproofs.. good times.

 

[CatmanV2]

You don’t need a special car

Shhhhhh! Mrs C will hear you

C

 

[D Walker]

We did it mid September...no midges to speak of..
Rained a couple of times.
There is a FB page where you can pick up a lot of ideas,stops for lunch and hotels etc.
The east part of it I would do once only as it’s part of the route.

 

[Needamaser]

Living on the route I can tell you right now I have never seen so many motorhomes on these roads. Most seem to have no idea how to use single track roads and won't pull over to let faster traffic past and you may end up stuck for miles behind them at 30mph. The area here has had virtually co cases of the virus but the huge influx from outside may change that and because our medical facilities are so restricted we could be ripe for a localised lockdown if things change. October will be ok with weather. You take your chance especially the West coast with rain at any time of the year.

 

[CatmanV2]

Not too worried about driving fast. Looking for somewhere we've not been before. Never been that far north so this may be a good plan B

C

 

[zagatoes30]

Not too worried about driving fast. Looking for somewhere we've not been before. Never been that far north so this may be a good plan B

C

Don't tell the locals but the scenery is stunning

 

[allandwf]

Enjoy it. Hopefully you will have the weather. Midgies shouldn't be too bad, Avon skin so soft works well as a detergent though.

 

[Ryandoc]

Nah do it. You’re just out of September, which can be a brilliant weather month when it wants to be!

 

[Oneball]

Not too worried about driving fast. Looking for somewhere we've not been before. Never been that far north so this may be a good plan B

C

I reckon Lairg to Tongue via Altnaharra is as impressive if not more so, not a fast road, but you won't see anyone and the views are spectacular, worth a day to do it if you're up there.

 

[bigbob]

Living on the route I can tell you right now I have never seen so many motorhomes on these roads. Most seem to have no idea how to use single track roads and won't pull over to let faster traffic past and you may end up stuck for miles behind them at 30mph. The area here has had virtually co cases of the virus but the huge influx from outside may change that and because our medical facilities are so restricted we could be ripe for a localised lockdown if things change. October will be ok with weather. You take your chance especially the West coast with rain at any time of the year.

Agree about the camper vans. I've cycled up to Applecross a couple of times and it can get a bit hairy with the bigger campervans at time. Maybe drive with your mirrors folded in. The scenery is brilliant though and early October is a good time. Mate is doing it mid October with the Supercarclub which will be some sight.

 

[Ryandoc]

I reckon Lairg to Tongue via Altnaharra is as impressive if not more so, not a fast road, but you won't see anyone and the views are spectacular, worth a day to do it if you're up there.

This man speaks the truth, that was our go to route many times, Inverness, Bonar Bridge, then the A836 to Tongue. We then stayed in the Mackays Rooms at Durness many a time.

 

[schell70]

I'm going next week but not in the GT (I know, I know!) - would recommend a stop off at The Crask Inn for a beer - It's in the middle of nowhere between Lairg & Altnaharra - 3rd vote for this road!

 

[Corranga]

4th vote for the Altnaharra road. I was hoping to do it again this year in the Elise this time, but I took it out for the first time 2 weeks back and appear to have completely forgotten how to drive it during lock down !