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Alternatively, organise your own version; e.g.
Head up to Oban, take the boat to Barra. Work your way north via ferries and B&Bs to Harris. Stunning beaches on the west side of Berneray & on South Harris.
Tarbert to Uig on Skye. Don't linger; avoid the honey pots, pop over to Elgol and walk in to Camasunary bothy for a picnic and then head south to Armadale & take the boat to Mallaig.
If staying there, take the water taxi to Inverie and spend a night at the pub or stay on the boat and get dropped at Tarbert, walk back to civilisation along the north shore of Loch Morar.
Visit Arisaig, staying at the post office or the hotel, etc.
Head out to Ardnamurchan for the lighthouse and the volcano.
Take the wee boat across from Kilchoan to Tobermory on Mull for a day or three.
Boat back to Oban and head home down through Argyll towards the Clyde boat crossings or A83 towards Lomond..?
I love a road trip, you get to see some nice scenery without having to exert oneself or being exposed to the bloody weather.
I'm going to back him up on this, driving through the Highlands is great.
while you migrate from one tourist trap to another
Here's a tip - stop at the bits that aren't tourist traps.
I love a road trip, you get to see some nice scenery without having to exert oneself or being exposed to the bloody weather.
You are saying this on a mountain bike forum. Exerting oneself in the elements is basically all we have. Along with your political leanings, could you be any more of an outlier? It's beats me why you'd bother to keep on coming back.
You are saying this on a mountain bike forum. Along with your political leanings, could you be any more of an outlier? It’s beats me why you’d bother to keep on coming back.
Well I never said I don't like a bike ride, I just said I love a road trip. It's not a case of car good/bike bad. I know we're all supposed to be in a clearly defined box nowadays, but I live in England so if I were to go up to the highlands I'd leave the bike and go in the car. "Along with your political leanings". Sorry, do we know each other? I wasn't aware I had any. I seem to be a bit of a political magpie and pick bits from all over the spectrum, and can change from week to week as new info is acquired.
Exerting oneself in the elements is basically all we have.
That's a profound statement. What does it mean? Care to elucidate?
* puts tinfoil hat on and peeks above the parapet
Is cycling it in May a good idea? I’ve a loose plan for the end of May. A colleague lives up there and said “there’s one thing Highlanders hate more than motorhomes, and that’s bikes”. I told him I like a challenge!
Route would be clockwise to JoG then south via Kinbrace and Altnaharra
* ducks back down
Cycling remains the best way to do it. You can stop at random, pull over wherever you want, actually see things as you go - and as you'll be eating and drinking your way round, feeding a lot into the local economies.
Cheers. Is it advisable to book campsites for a 1 man tent. I don’t want to be restrained by a timetable but want to stay at a couple of campsites to recharge batteries etc.
but I live in England so if I were to go up to the highlands I’d leave the bike
Surely that's the worst way to do it, freedom of movement in Scotland means your not as restrained as down south, can explore anywhere your handlebars point (within reason and fitness). You get to see a lot more scenery at a more leisurely pace
I imagine you’re right. I bet it’s lovely once you’re up there. I just can’t be arsed cycling up the M6.
My point wasn't that you'd leave the car, just leaving the bike
. I definitely dont see myself as one of ‘those’ people.
Personally I think you're worse than Hitler....
Driving it is kinda boring,
Nah... Some of the most beautiful stretches of road I have driven, despite being in my shitbox 1.9d Ibiza... Albeit at 4am in the morning in July. The GF resented having to get up so early, but from my perspective it was worth it.
Late to this - but agree with much of what has already been said. Don't do the NC500 as a road trip - the worst way to see the Highlands is through the windscreen of a vehicle. Decide what is important to you ad your family on a holiday. Pick a base, or several bases, to suit. You may choose to use a motorhome, it adds some flexibility - but in high season you will have to book campsites in advance in many areas.
As @fossy suggests, visit Laide - although his cousin gets quite nervous when hired motorhomes start reversing near the fuel pumps.... The Postie is quite friendly though, and there is a lovely basic beach campsite just along the road at Mellon Udrigle.
cycling in the highlands in may is most certainly a good idea. There are bits of the NC 500 I wouldnt ride but a west coast tour? Done it many times. Locals are friendly and as Scotroutes says camping is easy.
If you’re flexible with timing, April can be fabulous weather and most tourism-businesses will be open from Easter onwards. The NC500 has turned into a bit of a racetrack with groups of sports car and motorbike ‘enthusiasts’ from across Europe seeing it as a bit of a challenge so I’d avoid cycling on it, but there are many great roads to enjoy. Going up the islands and coming back across and down via the Stornaway to Ullapool ferry is a great loop. I don’t know why folks have an obsession with JO’G - it’s not even the most northerly point and frankly it’s a $hithole best avoided, as is the A9 south of Thurso.
Cycling remains the best way to do it
I wish I’d taken photos of the numerous groups of bikepackers on the 3 days the weather was bad when we were there last year, but unfortunately I didn’t want to get blown away & I didn’t have an underwater camera.
I just though, ‘rather you lot than me’. I can’t think of anything worse than riding in 40mph winds, in torrential rain, then having to pitch a tent, then pack it away next day, & cook your own grub. Stuff that lark.
At least I suppose more people cycling means less cars & horseboxes.
it’s not all as bad as some can make out
I'd agree with this, it's a whole lot busier than ten years ago but it's still not even close to Lakes type crowds or traffic problems.
As for times, I was up near Rhichonich a few weeks back. Weather was lovely and the roads were dead.
We cycled from Thurso to Kinlochewe (via Cape Wrath) last July. Weather was fantastic which made it a very memorable trip. Only had one questionable incident where it appeared that someone was driving straight at us. Other than that, we found drivers were considerate and the "locals*" very friendly and welcoming.
The traffic is weird - you can go for hours without seeing a car then there are about 50 at once. You can hear the sound of motorbikes / flash cars "making progress" from a long way away though.
There were very few casual stop-over places available for vans - the few likely looking spots had hand painted 'No Campervans' signs. We heard lots of stories about inconsiderate parking - vans parking up for the night on people's drives!
If I was going back up there, I'd stay in/near Durness for a few days, then somewhere further down the West coast.
Is it advisable to book campsites for a 1 man tent. I don’t want to be restrained by a timetable but want to stay at a couple of campsites to recharge batteries etc.
We (and a lot of others) got turned away from Scourie camp site as it was full and told not to camp in the village - lots and lots of 'no camping' signs. There's bugger all places to pitch a tent for a few miles outside the village.
The (fantastic) site in Mellon Udrigle had stopped taking tents (not full, just decided they didn't want to), but after chatting with the owner for a bit, he let us on and provided us with a portaloo 🙂
It would be worth booking ahead, IMHO - or at least scoping out a few alternatives.
*Most of the "locals" had English accents.
fossy
Full Member
Don’t forget to say hello to my cousin, she owns the petrol station/store in Laide !
And a proper oasis it is too! - I don't think we'd passed a shop or bar for about 30 miles prior.
We were amazed when heading off to uags bothy from the end of the road, cars were driving along the road from Apple Ross to a beautiful natural harbour stopping winding down the window sticking their phone out taking a photo then 20point turning and driving away.
On that note. Uags bothy is well worth a visit while you are up there. That's one night sorted!