Hello. I did the route a few years ago on a 1200 Multistrada GT, and agree with much of the advice given above. I support taking decent water proof clothing, planning your fuel stops, booking your overnight accommodation in advance, and a tool kit just in case. We found the A838 can be narrow and uneven in places, which makes safe progress a little slow, and I suggest taking care overtaking slower moving traffic. Also, bear in mind that road conditions can affect fuel consumption, and the 1200 Multi used a lot more fuel than usual. We went anticlockwise from the East for convenience, but the points of interest don't change of course. We visited Skye on the way back, which is great if the weather is fine. These links may help if you haven't already seen them: https://www.northcoast500.com/ . https://www.northcoast500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NC500-Official-Map.pdf . The John Lennon memorial garden in Durness is worth a visit if you're interested: https://durnessvillagehall.weebly.com/john-lennon-memorial-garden.html . Hope this helps. Good luck. Tom.
Thanks for the links. I've got a V4 Pikes Peak, so poor fuel consumption is always a consideration. Many fuel stops will be planned.
Not sure if you are going clockwise or anticlockwise but the Eastern side is not as attractive as the west. in good weather it’s really attractive, but take waterproofs! View attachment 308526 View attachment 308530
The east coast is generally faster with in the main open A roads where you can make decent progress-the west coast is simply stunning but contains a lot of single track roads some with poor surface so don’t expect the distance/travelling time to be similar! Ive found most campers and other road users are generally great at letting bikes past but please be patient when you get that one (there is always one) that doesn’t look in mirrors or thinks what should I let them past!!! Just enjoy the view and get past when it’s safe!! If you catch the weather you’ll be back…..I’ve done it 5/6 times and there are still things I want to see next time I generally do it in 3 days (from Glasgow back to Glasgow) but for me the riding IS the reason I’m there rather than the scenery etc so I enjoy long days riding! Have a safe journey when it comes!!!
Did the NC500, two up a couple of years ago. We self booked. Travelling from S Wales and being the wife's first tour, I sent her up to Preston on the train to avoid the monotony of the motorway. Also avoid the A9, so tedious. Comms is also handy. With regards fuel, there are plenty of petrol stations on the East and West coasts but a little more sparse on the North. It's worth knowing where they are and not stretching the fuel range. On a bike with a 200 mile range, I filled up around 100 - 120 miles and on two occassions, the planned stop was closed or had no fuel. It was n't a problem as I still had range. There is so much to look at, we averaged no more than 40mph along the coast and therefore fuel consumption was better than hoped. Also bear in mind coffee stops are few and far between, so take some fluids. If doing Applecross and the Bealach na Ba, then I recomend approaching from the North - far easier two-up. Fort Augustus is worth a stop/stay.
I had thought I'd go up the A9, I thought with its route it might have been reasonably picturesque, but I've seen on a couple of videos they also say it's boring. I might look at the A93 via Braemar to get to Inverness, I don't want to up the other side as planning on coming back down the Fort Willian side, trying not to use the same road twice to make it a round trip. We are doing Bealach na Ba from Applecross side, staying in the Applecross Inn overnight. Planning a stop somewhere along Loch Ness for a drink and cake, so will have a look.
Or you could go up through the Cairngorms. Like I said, Fort Augustus worth a stop, being at the base of Loch Ness. Worth a lunch stop, whilst watching the boats go through the locks. Plenty of places to eat and drink and also a fuel station.
The A93 that goes via Braemar seems to go right through the Cairngorms, so looks a good option. Just had a better look at Fort Augustus, definitely seems a good stop.
after your stop there, you can head further up the loch untill you get to drumnadrochit. if you take a left there, head down several miles and take a right (or continue on and do the glen afric loop) it brings you out at the right side of inverness to continue up the east coast. both those routs are v,nice. and in parts v,quick but twisty.
Glen Affric is stunning and well worth a visit if you have the time. I’d head for the River Affric car park and take a short walk along the road on the North side of Loch Affric, don’t cross the bridge near the car park, for one of the most beautiful views in Scotland. It’s good for the soul.
yip, been up there walking many times. i never bore of it. good campsite and bar in Cannich. and lovely wee bar and rooms up in Tomich. superb. stunning in the winter too. but bring on the spring. (for the bike)
The link below is to another episode of the 44 Teeth videos of the NC500 on Ducatis: . Hope its of interest. Tom.
Soon going to need another week up there, with all these must see/ visit places. All much appreciated
I think the link below is the concluding episode of the 44 Teeth videos of the NC500 on Ducatis: . Tom.
I did the NC500 in August 21 on a Triumph Tiger 1050 se . Day 1 Bristol to Moffat , approx 330 miles , lots of reasonable priced B&Bs . Day 2 Moffat to Fort William via Loch Lomond and Glen Coe , approx 160 miles , stunning scenery . Day 3 Fort William to Kyle of Localsh , stayed at Tingle creek hotel , pricy but great food and views , we rode over the bridge to Skye up to Portreath and back , stopped at Illean Donan castle on way . Day 4 Kyle of Localsh to Ullapool via Balaach na ba , applecross , the wester ross coastal highway , Shieldaig was worth a visit , the day we got there the locals were throwing eggs at each other and hitting golf balls into the Loch . Day 5 Ullapool to Wick via Durness and John o Groats , the scenery along the coast road was amazing . Day 6 Wick to Pitlochry via the A9 and across the cairngorms , stopped at Aviemore on the way , Pitlochry is a pretty little town with plenty of places to eat . Day 7 Pitlochry to Bouth Cumbria , visited the Kelpies and the Wallace monument on way . Day 8 Bouth to Bristol . Weather was good to us , only 1 day of light rain and no midges . Scenery was stunning and the people were very friendly .
