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AshTD5



Member Since: 23 Mar 2018
Location: Kent
Posts: 6

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
North Coast 500
Has anyone ever done this in a Defender? Looks like a great tour of north Scotland!
Post #716492 6th Jul 2018 7:54pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Netherlands 
Saw this post some days ago, NC500 in a Series One!

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62363.html

I plan to do this later this year in the Defender, but not in one day! Wink Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #716500 6th Jul 2018 8:26pm
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AshTD5



Member Since: 23 Mar 2018
Location: Kent
Posts: 6

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
I believe they say a week! Not sure who they are!
Don’t know if I want to put the miles on my low mileage defender
Post #716510 6th Jul 2018 8:59pm
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

I think it took them a week from home base back to home, but a day for the actual NC500. You can do it in a day I guess, but much better I'd think to take a more relaxed pace and properly take in some of the scenery and places along the way.

Isn't mileage what a car is for...? Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #716537 7th Jul 2018 6:40am
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Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 704

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
We did it in May last year, definitely recommended! The Mrs and I took the 110 whilst my dad and brother were on bikes, it took 10 days adding in Isles of Mull and Skye, a couple of days fishing near Inverness and travel up/down from Leicestershire. We concluded that whilst it was an a amazing trip, we should allowed more time, there's so many things to see and do on the route. Similarly we met a couple of guys in 911s, they did the route in less than 48 hours but they weren't hanging around.



Click image to enlarge
 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles
Post #716547 7th Jul 2018 8:24am
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Whirly90



Member Since: 01 Sep 2016
Location: Ampshire
Posts: 398

England 1993 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Keswick Green
We plan to do this trip next year, just need to do some research to find out the best time to go to avoid the midges.
Post #716565 7th Jul 2018 11:10am
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shropshiredefender



Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 832

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Have done parts of the NC500 in the USW and it's great!

Avoiding midges is a good idea - please let us know if you find a time that avoids bloody camper vans Rolling with laughter
Post #716570 7th Jul 2018 11:20am
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Rashers



Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3326

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
It looks a great drive.

There were reports that accommodation along the route can be at a premium.

Definitely something I would like to do. It’s a long way from Norfolk so possibly a two week trip.
Post #716587 7th Jul 2018 1:15pm
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Adam17



Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
Last month my wife and I took my 110 to Norfolk from Luton, nice drive in a day, once you get off the motorways anyway... Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html
Post #716712 8th Jul 2018 12:53pm
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Rashers



Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3326

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Hope you enjoyed, Adam.

No motorways around here for miles.

Our coastroad is nice, even if for the most part of it, you can’t see the sea!
Post #716722 8th Jul 2018 2:26pm
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1184

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
AshTD5 wrote:
Don’t know if I want to put the miles on my low mileage defender

What's the point in having it then? Enjoy it. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #716729 8th Jul 2018 3:35pm
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Adam17



Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
enjoyed it very much, a lovely place, calm and peaceful, and very dog friendly which was nice. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html
Post #716844 9th Jul 2018 8:42am
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2284

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
We have been planning this trip since last year, and are off towards the end of
August running into September... with 2-3 weeks at our 'disposal'...

Timing
Lower 'midge count' Evil or Very Mad and tourists Smile , also most Scottish Schools are back
mid -2/3s through August, ahead of England...

Route
We are breaking the journey in the Lake District, over night, both there and back,
and tackling the NC 500 Clockwise, if we explore for 2 weeks + on the West
and North Coasts then that's fine by me, although my wife if from St Andrews,
so we will probably get round to the East Side and complete the '500'.

I have 30+ areas on our to-do list...but are viewing this as guidance only, the main
plan for us is to explore the route as we go, even if this makes it a return trip to complete.

Really looking forward to it... Thumbs Up

Mode of transport and accomodation...

Click image to enlarge


Everywhere (probably) is possible apart from the Applecross Pass (although it say's 'ADVISED')...



https://www.northcoast500.com/


Click image to enlarge




Prepare for some holiday snaps... Shocked SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #716853 9th Jul 2018 9:19am
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2663

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
Yes - done it all. TBH the route (IMO) is a bit of a tourist trap. The whole coastline of Scotland (West coast) mainly is just stunning. I've already done sections twice this year on my motorbike, and last year I did Durness down to Applecross in the 110 in 2 days (camping and hillwalking as we went), Also some more trips like this http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic31177....efendering

Everyone will have their favourite areas, and the NW500 does not necessarily include the best (based on your "likes").

Go and enjoy Smile Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #716862 9th Jul 2018 9:57am
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Alex1976



Member Since: 23 Jan 2013
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 596

England 
I have completed this in two separate trips now and it is just stunning. To really make the most of it you need to take your time and explore either side of the route and stop and enjoy the landscape you are in. It took me two weeks and I felt that I could have spent much more time there to go and see things that I felt that I couldn't due to time. There are so many little roads and tracks to go off an explore and often you are rewarded with finding some secluded amazing beach or views to the Isles that you would easily miss by doing the 500 quickly.

Probably the right pace to do the 500 at is by cycling (literally or at the same speed as if you were) - that way you really get to see the point of the route.

I really wouldn't try and take the caravan over the pass to Applecross - it has some tight hairpins and if you meet someone coming the other way it could get very tight. Best to plan to stay in Applecross for the night and leave the caravan behind for a trip over the pass and back. The view from the top across to Skye is worth it.

The pub at Applecross is well known and a great night to be had there, but the food at the cafe in the grounds of Applecross House is worth it too.
Post #716873 9th Jul 2018 12:09pm
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