NC500

TommyS

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Subject:

NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #1

I've eventually persuaded Mrs S to leave work,trouble is she will find more jobs for me around the house. I've a cunning plan to take her for the month of June around the NC500 and Skye. Apart from avoiding midges has anyone any advice about doing it. I realise it will be tight for the MH but I would intend to park up and use the scooter to explore. There appears to be places where it would be mad to take the van but im hoping to avoid them. I've spoken to a couple of people and am getting mixed reports.

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eirebus

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #2

I was going to do it a few years ago but decided my 7 m van would be too big for the roads and traffic and your van is even bigger, personally I think your van is too big and wouldn't be welcome, hopefully I'm wrong for once

and someone who's done it will tell you to go for it

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TommyS

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #3

I've been looking on utube at large vans on it. Its just deciding if I could be bothered with the hassle. There appears to be certain bits of it that would be tight but I would try and pick the time to do those, say early in the morning. Once on site we would take the scooter. I think anticlockwise would be best way

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mtravel

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #4

The problem may be the width, certainly not the length.
With a 2.35mt motorhome (without mirrors) I covered part (but also all) of the NC500 three times without problems.
Last summer a friend drove most of the Inner Hebrides with a Hymer MLT and returned safely.
95% of single tracks roads have passing places every 500 metres.

I've been to Skye three times, once to Aran and Mull and done the whole Kyntire Peninsula.
Apart from a few single tracks with uphill passing zones (only in the last two mentioned) without any particular worries.
The only stretch we have traveled and which I would not recommend is the one on Skye, from Ashaig (just beyond Kyleakin) leading to Kylerhea (hiking to Otter Haven).

Max

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sprinter

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Subject:

NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #5

If the " cunning plan to take her for the month of June around the NC500 and Skye " is to get away from home, more on your own, then go for it, a month on narrow roads, might just put her off going again.

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mtravel

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #6

Quote by sprinter

... a month on narrow roads ...

Narrow but never like some found on the Emerald Isle...

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mtravel

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #7

Typical NC500, nothing challenging.
Diamond-shaped signs identify passing places. As you can see there are many.

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sprinter

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #8

Quote by mtravel

Quote by sprinter

... a month on narrow roads ...

Narrow but never like some found on the Emerald Isle...

Absolutely brilliant, Come on Max you have to tell us where is that, I can ram it up the rear end of the RSA.

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mtravel

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #9

Quote by sprinter

Absolutely brilliant, Come on Max you have to tell us where is that, I can ram it up the rear end of the RSA.

Taken from the internet, I think it's around Dursey Head.
I shot the one below instead, I was going to Sheep's Head but evidently, seeing the sign, I gave up.

Ten minutes later a very Irish close encounter...

rebbyvid

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #10

I did the NC500 before it got named and before the thousands of rented vans descended on it ,wouldn't do it now ,in fact not been up Scotland since i bought the Tribute (2016) went up to the Orkneys with a Hymer a class with the wildcamping forum and did a bit of that coast on the way back.The year before me and an old member who some will remember Polly did the Western Isles (Lewis ,Harris,Ulst etc) via Skye and i got my drivers mirror demolished with a mini bus so not good memories of Skye but the scenery is superb.
One thing i do remember about Skye is if the road goes over a stream or river the road narrows (and there's lots of them) and you can guarantee you meet a truck coming the other way.

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mtravel

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #11

Quote by rebbyvid

... and you can guarantee you meet a truck coming the other way.

Come on, in my Irish 2022 travel report I wrote:

...we return to Enniskillen.
On the A509 we cross the border with the Republic, the road takes its local identification, overhere is N3.
Once more time the torture of its narrow roads, today we travel up and down.
Furthermore, it is evidently an important ridge and we come across I don't know how many trucks which, regardless of who they encounter, travel at the permitted speed of 80km/h: every encounter causes a heart attack.

Smile, Max

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TommyS

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #12

Quote by mtravel

Typical NC500, nothing challenging.
Diamond-shaped signs identify passing places. As you can see there are many.

Having nearly burnt a clutch out in Donegal and smashing a drivers mirror that looks a doddle

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #13

Talking to actual locals, ignore the Facebook disgruntled naysayers. Do it!!

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TommyS

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #14

It's definitely on the cards, just looking a few pointers

eirebus

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 09.11.2023 · #15

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petereire

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 10.11.2023 · #16

Loads on you tube about the nc500 might be worth a look for info!

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TommyS

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 10.11.2023 · #17

It's either do it on the van or motorbike. Trouble is the Missus falls asleep on the back of the bike and wouldn't see half of it

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ntg

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Re: NC500

· Posted: 10.11.2023 · #18

I have done much of it many times including the single track sections where there are many passing places.
Stayed away from certain small village sections that are well known for traffic chaos and enjoyed it .
Mine is not the smallest Motorhome out there but I can drive it which really helps.
Just my thoughts

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