NC 500

[Fred Simpson]

I did it a few years ago, 5 days start Inverness clockwise
first stop shieldag b&b nothing special ,pub in village sold food and a few stops thru the day
second stop Altnacealgach at a kind of motel place , run down a bit from first time I did it , its a pub with lodgings out buildings served food - nothing else there at all - can't remember passing a shop !
third stop tongue - the bothy - fantastic place - had a much needed sauna in the room ,shops in village and pass a couple thru the day
forth day latherton Forse of nature - big b&b place just opened , run by kids and hope they are still doing it - very good , drying rooms , food no shops but pass a few thru the day
fifth day back to Inverness - plenty of places there to eat and quite a few thru the day
I sent parcels to myself to each place - just things I thought I might need
I booked places well in advance , maybe some would frown on this as it means you have to get to your destination each day - that suits me
the weather turned on me on day 2 for 2 1/2 days of high head winds and rain that certainly pushed me to my limit
in comparison I did leg in 9 days and thought it easier than nc500 , but could have been the weather ,
word of warning , its a relatively easy start for 70 miles , then all hell breaks loose on the hill front ! its up and down for remainder of the west coast then a lot of the top , then it eases again and last day just 2 hills but if you aint used to them by then you never will be . I guess there are a few deviations but there's not a lot of roads up there
would I do it again - definitely , but maybe with back up or even a back up plan ! cos when its bleak up there , its proper bleak . when its nice I don't think there is a better place in the uk

Thanks for the info, appreciate it

 

[Fred Simpson]

If you haven't already been put off this ride by previous posts then here is some serious advice re your points. Sorry, no spread sheets available!

Shops.... Don't expect any supermarkets other than at Inverness, and maybe small versions at Ullapool, Wick, or Thurso. Otherwise it's the good old corner shops doubling as post office type places, and opening hours may not be what you would normally expect. Unless that has changed of course, to deal with the influx of people and the chance to earn some more cash. Prices will be inflated to suit the location.

Garages.... Are you not cycling? But anyway, on my last visit they were few and far between, petrol was extortionate, and again opening hours were to suit the owner. Lunchtime closing of shops and services is still a thing in the north.

Sleep..... This is where you need to seriously plan your visit, and do it well in advance. If you are looking for hotels or B&B type accommodation, it is in high demand and under supplied. Hence the cost being silly money. And don't expect The Ritz for the price either. Try looking up a few on booking dot com or similar, if you haven't already done so. Camp sites are an option but you would need to get googling for that, I don't do camping in NW Scotland due to the prevalent weather and also MIDGES! Wild camping? Up to you; it's not illegal in Scotland apart from a few areas around Loch Lomond.

So, basically ....... good luck!

Thanks .. I am gathering info for my visiting American friend who has a 'make it up as he goes along' trip planned in May. Most he can browse for but nothing like some real feedback from a few vets. All info being passed on and thanks again.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

...there are a multitude of quieter more scenic virtually traffic free roads the OP's mate could take that would make for a more pleasant break.

I think this is worth reiteration - it's (NC500) hugely promoted, very busy, but the good news is that it has sucked traffic off some other routes.