Road trip anyone?

Cadenza - very brave and adventurous - you’re probably on the younger side of GNetters

SW Scotland in no way resembles the Highlands, that's why it's quieter, it's like geographically comparing The Netherlands to Switzerland.

Aveline

Top tip - don't! It's crammed with motor homes, buses and drivers that don't understand the roads. Tourist infrastructure limited.
Try the SW Scotland route instead. Quieter, less touristy and very beautiful.

👍🏻 is it better for motor bikes? Done it on a bus & sick as a chip.

Cadenza123

I'm thinking about taking my dog on a road trip in September. Probably heading North and NC 500 in Scotland. Anyone tried this? Tips? Airbnb? I have time so thinking about 4 weeks.

We are thinking of doing it but on our motorbike.

We rented a cottage in the Highlands near Glen Coe in October 2024 . We toured all over each day taking in The Isle of Skye , Inverness and all points in between . The weather was very mild with only one morning of rain and the scenery was spectacular, and no midges were around either .

We went in October last year, no midges no traffic it was bliss so just leave it a little later

Aveline

Did you see the part on the BBC news today? Big problems there with tourists.

Absolutely dreadful, that awful "local" woman screaming at some chap having a pee, I couldn't see anyone doing anything, the presenter was looking the other way like he was trying not to laugh at her, l think she just wanted to create a drama. As for Robin Pettigrew if he finds living in the Highlands so awful why doesn't he return to England. The campervan chaps seemed rather bemused by the whole thing, as was l. I'll see if l can find the clip.

Why not just watch a video about it rather than add to the already over heavy tourist footprint?

There was little sun till last week & it was cold=less midges, but the midge forecast can vary wildly.
We've driven Gairloch to Ullapool (in september) & Dingwall to Dornoch with precious few other vehicles.Scenery on the west is mind-blowing so I would take a chance on the traffic & go back if I ever have the opportunity.

Motorhomes galore all summer into autumn and, don't think of a trip to Skye, even worse. Try central and south of Scotland. Midges not so much of a nuisance either.

Berwick, Peebles, Port of Leith, Portobello are lovely, although not the spectacular mountains of the Lochs

Did you see the part on the BBC news today? Big problems there with tourists.

We did it in May, and I don't know if we were just lucky but I was expecting midges and there were none! I agree about booking accommodation in advance. We did the route clockwise from Inverness, meaning we did the west coast before the east coast. In hindsight I wish we'd done it the other way round, that way saving the best scenery till last. We promised ourselves we'd do it again the other way round, but sadly my husband had to give up driving due to medical reasons and I don't drive so we never got the chance. There are some lovely cafes en route e.g. Lochinver Larder which is famous for its pies.

Just returned from Scotland including NC500. We did booked four day self catering cottages. Cairngorms in Glenesk (snow roads and Balmoral). Moved to Ardgay about 35 miles south of the northern stretch of the NC500 with amazing, empty access roads. Local wisdom is to drive anticlockwise on the NC500 which was nowhere near as busy as people suggested. Finally stayed near Skye to finish off that part of the NC500. No midges! Don’t be put off - it is truly stunning. All our cottages welcomed dogs. Good advice to wait until September.

Not overwhelmed with visitors I meant to type.

Yes I would vote for beautiful Dumfries and Galloway but then I was born and brought up there. It is stunning and overwhelmed with visitors. The beaches and forests near Dalbeattie, the beautiful artists' town of Kirkcudbright and further west into Wigtownshire - gorgeous
Am a huge fan of the Scottish Borders too esp Kelsi and the stunning East coastline.

Did NC500 over 11 years ago before it was “ discovered”
It has got much busier now especially with motorhomes etc and the roads are not designed for such heavy traffic
If you go , book all of your accommodation in advance as it is limited even in the bigger villages! It is a wonderful route and I suggest taking 10 days to do it! We did it in a week so we’re rushed
I was up in that area a couple of weeks ago heading to Orkney and it was much busier everywhere
Also book restaurants as they were busy too and people were being turned away! Plan it well but do it!!

Cadenza123 So rude of me to post on your thread! So sorry.
Your trip sounds so fascinating, I am hoping that we read more about it!

Madeleine45 So good to hear from you! Have missed you on 'Good Morning' thread!

Hi Madeleine45 on at 17-36 are you the poster everyone on the good morning forum are wondering where you are apologies if you are not ,

Sorry to ask on your post Cadenza123 hope you get your road trip sorted .

Port Patrick is lovely but very small and at the end of a long drive. Knockinaam House hotel near there is lovely for a (big)treat. Castle Douglas or Kirkcudbright might be a more flexible base.

I agree about the timing. Used to sail up the west coast and to the hebrides regularly, so opposite way for us. Sailing put the suncream on and few clothes. Get near to land and then it was long sleeved cotton and long trousers, socks to tuck trousers in and mosquito netting lightweight head cover similar to beekeepers outfit tucked into shirt. Leave any space and would be bitten to bits. (I obviously tasted good to them) There are some marvellous gardens to see in Scotland , worth checking them out before you go to see what and when is open when you are there.Have a good time

SW Scotland is a good bet. Dumfries and Galloway- lovely !

I'm thinking of staying for a week somewhere then day trips. My original plan was 2/3 nights in various places. I'm looking at Port Patrick. Just looking at the weather there now and it's 15c. It's 25c where I am and that's considerably cooler than yesterday!

Lovely art exhibitions on in Kirkcudbright, the artist's town too.