Scotland and England have always been on my "To Do" list, especially considering their proximity and ease of access, but inevitably my home country of Ireland and locations like Spain or Italy with better weather tend to always get first dibs on my coveted 23 days of annual leave, but recently after watching a series of videos posted by The Missenden Flyer (TMF) on his own long over due trip to the Scottish highlands I was blown away with the scenery and roads and suddenly Scotland has rocketed to the top of my list.
The NC500 is Scotland's coastal tour that typically starts and finishes in Inverness and it is Scotland's version of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, although
it's not as big as WWW, the NC500 is approx 500 miles long(Hence the cleverly named NC500) where the WWW is over 1600 miles, but from what I have seen in my research it looks like the NC500 packs a hell of a punch in terms of scenery. It does not appear to be as well developed or serviced as the WWW, but that is more of a plus to me.
TMF's route was a modified version of the NC500 called the NC767 he got from MCN (I think?) and my route is also a variation of the classic NC500 that will take in the Isle of Skye, but overall I will cover 95% of the classic NC500 route with some additions of my own.
I initially planned the trip over four days but have increased that to five to allow for the Isle of Skye.
My first pass at the route planning for the trip I got more than a bit carried away and had every nook and cranny packed into my trip, but when I stressed tested the routes timing in the satnav it became apparent I had to strip it back, so I brought it back to just the NC500 with the Isle of Skye bolted on.
I found a great site dedicated as a full resource to touring the NC500 and you can buy the rough guide book as pictured to the right to help you plan your trip should you decide to do it. Click on the book to take you to the NC500 site.
There's no point in me detailing the actual route I will take at this point as it is still in a state of draft but I can certainly list the primary points of interest I hope to hit along my journey.
I'm sure there a lot more I have yet to discover and if your familiar with the region and have any more suggestions or tips I'd appreciate any info to incorporate into my plans.
I hope to document and video the whole trip so stay tuned and enjoy a brief look at some of the places I hope to share with you on this trip.
Loch Lomond: Scotlands Largest Lake by surface area. Lochness is largest by volume of water, but Lomand is a bigger lake and marks the border between the highlands and the lowlands.
Once I leave Erskine I will follow the A82 along the banks of the loch.
The Green Welly: Petrol Station and Cafe, is a famous biker meeting point for touring the highlands.
Think Lynhams of Lara for the Irish equivalent in the Wicklow mountains.
I definitely have this marked for a coffee and fueling point before going deeper into the highlands.
Kilchurn Castle: A little off the NC500 for a moment but definitely a Drone point I hope !.
This 15th century castle built by the Campbell family is built on a peninsula and is begging for an aerial shot from a drone.
It takes me off the main NC500 route but I think it's worth the diversion.
Glencoe: Probably the main reason anyone takes the NC500 is to ride through the stunning Glencoe valley.
A bloody history giving this amazing place a dark past.
Forged by a Glacier this U shaped valley was the scene of a terrible massacre by the English red coats as revenge for the Clan McDonald not pledging loyalty to the new protestant king William II quickly enough.
Glenfinnan Viaduct: Another detour of the main NC500 to go throw the drone up over the Glenfinnan viaduct.
You may recognize it from the Harry Potter Movies.
I could not go all this way with a drone in my bike without at least trying to get some footage of this iconic location. It's a bit of a hike to get too but I may be able to send the drone for a car park and save me the trek.
Eilean Donan Castle: Probably one of the most famous castles in Scotland, you may recognize it from the Braveheart movie with Mel Gibson.
Built in the 13th Century it is likely named after and Irish Saint.
I've often felt it also has a twin in Ireland in Dunguare Castle in Kinvarra. They look very similar to me !
Dunvegan Castle: Home to the Clan McLeod and they have lived there to this day since it was built 800 years ago, another stunning castle I will try get the drone over.
This is a very popular and busy spot, so getting a drone over it may not be possible but I will do my best.
Just one of the many things on the Isle of Skye.
The Quiraing: Whilst the Quiraing itself is stunning piece of geology, I am primarily using it as a way point for an epic looking road that goes up over the mountains that the Quiraing resides.
The plan is to ride to the top to see the views before dropping back down the way I came to continue along the coastal route, otherwise I will end up doing a big loop back on myself.
Kilt Rock: Along the east coast of Skye is a stunning looking cliff face with an epic waterfall cascading over it.
It looks like a fusion of the Cliffs of Moher, the Giants Causeway, The Devils Tower from Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind with a waterfall and is a perfect candidate for an aerial shot or ten.
The Old Man of Storr: Another one that requires a hike I cannot do all geared up, so I am hoping I can get the drone up to this amazing rock formation.
You may recognize this from the some of the scenes from the Ridley Scott Prometheus movie
The Applecross Pass (Bealach Na Ba): The one part of the trip that I'm slightly anxious about.
This is the UK's most inclement road, in other words its steep ! Very Steep climbing to 2054 feet very quickly at times it is a 20% inclement whilst simultaneously running several tight & sharp hair pin switchbacks on a poor surface and a long drop waiting for you if you make a mistake.
From all the research I have been doing this is an absolute "Must Do" part of the trip but all the people I've watched on youtube have stated this is a tricky pass especially if the weather is in any way wet, (And it usually is!)
The road itself is very narrow, barely the width of a single car yet it is a two way track so hopefully I don't meet oncoming traffic in the hairpins.
I'm sure its not as bad as people have made out, and when the time comes I'll be wondering what I was stressed about.
The Falls of Mesach & Corrieshalloch Gorge: Not far out from Ullapool is the Corrieshalloch Gorge and within the gorge are the falls of Mesach. A stunning waterfall that cascades through the gorge.
There's another bit of a hike to get to the falls and I will have to see on the day if I will bother with all the gear on, but I may be able to get a sneaky drone shot.
Fingers crossed !
Achmelvich Beach: I just happened to see some photo's and youtube clips on this stunning little beach so I have added it to the route as it is definitely worth a look .
They claim to make the best hot chocolate in the world !
.....I totally plan to see if they are right !
There's even a rumor they have motorbike shaped chocolate bars !
Smoo Cave: Epic looking cave. Apparently you can do a geological tour inside the cave that goes in 272 feet into the cliffs.
Dunnet Head: Ask most people whats the most northerly point in mainland Britain and they will immediately say..."John O'Groats" and of course they would be wrong !
Dunnet head about 11 miles northwest of John O'Groats is the actual most northerly point but just to tick the box for the less informed I will visit both points.
John O'Groats: Often mistaken as the most northernly point of mainland Britain but that honour goes to Dunnet head 11 miles to the left.
John O'Groats was made famous by a popular ferry service run by a dutch man named Jan De Groot to the Orkney's.
Local legend has that the "o' Groats" refers to John's charge of one groat for use of his ferry, but it actually derives from the Dutch de groot, meaning "the large". People from John o' Groats are known as "Groaters".
Loch Ness: No visit to Scotland could be considered remotely complete without visiting Loch Ness and maybe seeing the elusive Loch Ness Monster.
I stay in Inverness on the 2nd last night and hope to ride the entire length of the Loch before heading into the Cairngorms.
The Cairngorms: Inverness is the official end (and Start) of the NC500 so as an additional bonus I have bolted on a ride through the Cairngorms national park on my way to Moffat.
Urquhart Castle: Another possible aerial footage location that I have included in my route along the shores of Loch Ness.
Balmoral: A favourite refuge for the Queen of England.
Featured in the movie cleverly named "The Queen".
To be honest I had just planned my route through the Cairngorms and happened to spot it on google maps so I added it in out of curiosity.
I'm pretty confident putting the drone up over this castle would not be my smartest move ! ;)
Braemer Castle: The last stop before leaving the Cairngorms.
The Wallace Monument: Overlooking the site of Sir William Wallace (Mel Gibson) battle at Stirling, this monument definitely caught my eye with some very striking architecture and definitely worth a look.
Buccleuch Arms Hotel (Moffat): This hotel is well known in the biker world of the UK, as you can see from the picture on the right, the hotel is very biker friendly and has provided an entire army of biker sheds to keep your bike well looked after during your stay.
The surrounding area and town of Moffat is also suppose to be very good biking area.
St Mary's Loch: Stunning Lake road not far from the hotel in Moffat
Caerlaverock Castle: A definite drone spot on my way to Stranraer for the ferry
Castle Douglas: Another definite drone spot !