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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
North Coast 500
Ok so I've done some of this on another holiday (Skye) but not the complete route..

So suggestions for those that have done it.

- Best time to go (Bare in mind I have kids) so School Holidays
- What maps / guide books are good
- B&B's, guest houses, hotels, glamping pods etc that are good
- Miges... when is best I was on Skye in August = bitten alive even with all the jungle spray you can get


Any other info, is a week ok? Baring it mind it's a days drive to 'Start' the route Smile
Post #801782 11th Nov 2019 3:33pm
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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 2017 the GF and I were camping in the LR along with my Dad and brother on motorbikes (they used hotels).

We chose mid-May as a good compromise of weather, avoiding school holidays (appreciate you are going during hols) and midges. The latter were fine apart from one night when we camped beside a lake on a very still night, we regretted that one! Midges start to appear in late May but the females don't appear until mid June, they bite worse I believe. Smidgemidge and Avon Skin So Soft both work but only to a degree.

We started and finished in Inverness, adding the Isles of Skye and Mull into the loop and heading anti-clockwise which was the right decision, the views just get better every day. Excluding a few days of fishing and travel up/back down, we took 8 days and in hindsight wished we had taken longer to stop and explore more.

Another contender to consider is the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, more remote, less traffic, fewer midges but still loads to do and stunning coastline Thumbs Up 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles
Post #801787 11th Nov 2019 4:08pm
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Scotm



Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 635

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
I would say a week is too short if you are planning it as a family holiday.

When the weather is good then you will want time/ flexibility for beach, hills and exploring with the kids rather than driving.

When camping / touring with kids we try and spend two nights at every other campsite to allow time for relaxing.
Post #801805 11th Nov 2019 5:33pm
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2664

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
I would agree that any time in early spring is good... The days really start to lengthen quick up there after the spring clock-change-weekend. In June it barely goes dark. Spring us usually a fairly dry time "up North" and the midges haven't got to full strength. April-May-June always my favourite time up there.
Until 3 years ago I had a holiday home in Aviemore, and would spend as much time as possible hillwalking/climbing/kayaking/motorcycling throughout the area.
I'm sure I'll be heading to the Hebrides in spring...Hopefully on the motorbike tho...
Enjoy! Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #801876 12th Nov 2019 6:38am
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G4UJS



Member Since: 20 Jan 2019
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 226

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver
We have just completed the NC500, fantastic road trip.

We did last week of October and first week of November. Beautiful Autumn colours and virtually no traffic.

We did 6 nights under canvas and 5 nights in Hotels, B and B's, camping Pods and shepherd huts, (all booked on the fly, so no strict itinerary for us)

2000 glorious Defender miles Very Happy Very Happy

regards

Rob
Post #801877 12th Nov 2019 7:06am
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7866

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
This is a trip I'd love to do one day. I'm struggling to persuade the wife and more kids that a driving holiday will be fun though Big Cry

The Wild Atlantic Way is a new recommendation to me so will look into this, thank you Harry.O.

Maybe add a few pics those that have done it? Whistle I know there are several NC500 threads, I should probably go look at Embarassed James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #801893 12th Nov 2019 9:31am
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G4UJS



Member Since: 20 Jan 2019
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 226

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver
Heres a few photos...non of them really do it justice....hard to describe but the whole area is outstanding!

Regards

Rob



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Post #801912 12th Nov 2019 10:53am
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90 Dreamer



Member Since: 13 Jul 2019
Location: Oop North
Posts: 2045

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
stunning.......
Post #801914 12th Nov 2019 11:11am
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boode



Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 421

England 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
Whats with the Applecross signage

This was only 5 years ago



Click image to enlarge
Post #801918 12th Nov 2019 11:41am
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90 Dreamer



Member Since: 13 Jul 2019
Location: Oop North
Posts: 2045

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Corris Grey
makes a nonsense of the warnings............
Post #801919 12th Nov 2019 11:50am
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Tim in Scotland



Member Since: 23 May 2007
Location: The Land that time forgot
Posts: 3748

 
And no warnings of lunatic motorcyclists driving at break neck speed in the middle of the road which is common unfortunately in the summer. Also if you are a surfer then there are some great breaks on the North Coast BUT be warned - you will need a winter steamer wetsuit even in mid summer!

For those who don’t want to venture so far north there is also a “Southwest 300” route through Dumfries and Galloway on quiet back roads https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/travel/swc300-road-trip/ Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come
2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed!
Post #801921 12th Nov 2019 11:53am
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Scotm



Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 635

Scotland 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Orkney Grey
Or the North East 250 https://www.northeast250.com/ Less rain and midges!
Post #801927 12th Nov 2019 12:18pm
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Stacey007



Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3693

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the replies


We loved Skye it was the miges we didn't Smile the scenery and roads were amazing.

I'm thinking a week as short on Holidays as Summer ones we off off to Europe.

Lucily my wife & kids love road trips and the 110 is a great vehicle for them with great all round visibility and loads of room for stuff.

I'm thinking I would not take the trailer due to some of the roads? can roof tents sleep 4? or it that too much. Would I need 2 x 2 sleeper ones. ooh and can you while camp en route are are camp sites a plenty


I think I will sort a map / book out and start reading up on a route Smile
Post #801929 12th Nov 2019 12:53pm
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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
Hello Stacey007

The NC500 is a great trip... particularly the west and north coasts

Midgies... best to go as early or late as possible during the summer, most establishments have one of these...


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Trailer... No problem unless you really get adventurous and probably off road also, we went everywhere with this...
(except the pass over to Applecross)


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Wild Camping... possible with some research, we booked nowhere and went late August / September
with no issues staying at camp sites...


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Food... was really good


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Sat Nav / Data... Sat Nav worked at all times... Data / Phone signal there are definite black holes,
best to just go with it...


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We are definitely going back...the dog loved it...


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Really is a special place...


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Good Luck... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #801931 12th Nov 2019 1:48pm
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Tim in Scotland



Member Since: 23 May 2007
Location: The Land that time forgot
Posts: 3748

 
Do be careful about venturing off the tarred roads up here, there are no public rights of way up here like there are south of the border. There are plenty of 4x4 clubs who welcome visitors on their off-road jaunts, done with permits / permissions from the landowners.
There are also, due to louts who cannot clear up after themselves, strict rules in popular places about wild camping, especially in the National Parks. There are plenty of official camping areas. Thank the city yobs who come out town for a weekend jolly time, cut down trees to have camp fires and litter the countryside with food waste, human waste and empty cans and broken bottles and more often than not leave all their camping equipment behind as well. Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come
2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed!
Post #801933 12th Nov 2019 2:09pm
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