Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms North Coast 500

In final stages of preparing to "do" the NC500 (with a side trip to Skye) in my 2003 +8 next week, in company with my brother in his E-Type and a friend in a classic Merc. Have looked at previous threads about this trip and I think have prepared for most things (small spares kit, a few tools, small grease gun etc). Quite by chance noticed that a hotel we'd booked back in February had closed suddenly and the owners had disappeared (along with our deposit) - managed to find an alternative eventually not too far from the original! Lucky at this time of year! Could have been an uncomfortable night in the cars if we hadn't found that one out in advance!
Hopefully it will not be too crowded on the route as it is after the schools go back and, hopefully, just after the worst of the mosquito season!
Any advice from those that have done this trip would be great! Particularly on things to do or see on the way that are not well advertised (we have, of course, booked a distillery tour or two!). One site I looked at seemed to suggest that fuel stations are few and far between - is that really an issue? looking at the maps there do seem to be enough fuel stations along the route (even for a thirsty V8!)
One thing I did do was to fit an acrylic wind blocker - thanks to DaveW for the idea of using acrylic! - I had been pondering how to fit one with the roll-over bar that had been fitted to the car by the first owner, until it occurred to me that the said roll-over bar actually doubles as a perfect frame for an acrylic insert, held in place with velcro straps. Image to follow. Still plenty of wind in the hair, but not at hurricane strength on faster roads!
As I am starting from Devon, will stop off for a MMC factory visit on the way north - (wonder if they will let me play with a Plus 6 for a while!) Would be good to say hi to Graham G4FUJ if he is on duty!
Now just have to hope the weather is kind to us!

Hi Ken,
You will need to take an air rifle to ping mobile home drivers to let them know they need to let others past on single track roads. Some of them can be quite a nuisance. You could mount it on your windblocker, redneck style, to add some presence .
Fill up at every opportunity - nothing much north of Ullapool, IIRC.
Try the Castle of Mey . Googleable, comical, and provides some shelter for an hour or two during the height of summer. You can sit in the tearoom and watch the blizzard outside, rather than be in it.

Don’t bother with walking shoes, you’ll get drenched just getting from the car to your Band B front door. Walking isn’t practical. If the wind is a sou’wester you have to alert the coastguard to do the northern leg.
If you have not tried white pudding, I think it’s safe to eat. When we asked the locals what it is they said it’s like black pudding, except that it’s white. It looks wholesome enough, especially if you are used to eating lard at home.
On the way back, try Johnson’s Mill at Elgin, where you can buy all the heavyweight tartan gear that you wish you’d had earlier on the trip.
Enjoy your trip, but download someone else’s photos from the internet beforehand, and claim they're yours. There won’t be much chance to take your own, unless you have a waterproof go-pro.
Please post your experiences if you make it home!

The petrol stations tend to shut on Sunday so beware! Top up when you can.
Also try Avon “Skin so soft “for midge repellent worked wonder on mozzies.and wasps!

I have added a few pics in the gallery not only to whet your appetite but also to to try to off-set SFG`s comments which seem to give a hint of an adventure experienced...

The pics are from a number of years back before the NC 500 came into being as such.... thus we had the roads to ourselves, I was in company with some Porsche owning friends. We were there in October and experienced better weather than might be hoped for in June, though a day after arriving home from the trip the roads over which we had travelled were closed due to heavy snowfall, so best to be ready for WEATHER..

Skye can be VERY busy it seems, not been there in years though stayed in a nice hotel

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel..._Isle_of_Skye_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html

Think Hamwich has done some mileage in the area. I advised him and crew to invest in some Avon Skin So Soft to keep the midgies at bay, but they managed to miss the midge it seems, so may have some left over from their trip.

We based ourselves at Ault Bea for a week using it as a base from which to explore Wester Ross.

I do believe the roads can be rather busy these days with retirees who have invested in camper vans and stop in the PASSING PLACES using them as lay-bys and choking the road system completely preventing locals from going about their business..

Stac Polly incorrect spelling to help you pronounce it correctly is worth a scramble to the top, it has a fair size car park at it`s foot, it is just North of Ullapool... If I can help further just SHOUT...

Do yourself an enormous favour and make a detour to drive the B862 (General Wade's Military Road) from Fort Augustus to Inverness.

We did the trip at the end of May and I am sorry to say that Stuart's jocular summary was not too far removed from the truth. One thing he missed out was that if you are fortunate enough to eventually get clear of the Motor-homes, you are then just in time to get in among the cyclists!
Because we had "done" Applecross several times before we drove straight down through Torridon but I would avoid this - the road surface is definitely not Morgan friendly. Petrol wasn't a problem (in a 4/4) but you won't find too many stations with 97/98 octane. The scenery, when you can see it can be spectacular. Unfortunately the NC 500 has become a victim of its own success and I would only consider doing it again in winter.

Don’t think you’ll need ‘skin so soft’ . Your skin will be soft and wrinkly throughout, and the midges cant fly in the prevailing conditions. It’ll clear up a bit when you get back to Carlisle.
There was a gentle breeze throughout our trip and at one point it was vapourising the rain and so we managed to get this snap. Trying to smile

Walking definitely worthwhile! best walk was Quiraing near Uig in Skye. do the whole loop (3 hrs?) not the quick 500m and back to the car park like most tourists.

There is a petrol pump at Applecross, worth supporting as it's run by the villagers and is priced in line with rest of the area. Plenty use it and so petrol is fresh, and serves Super i think....

For Applecross we stayed near the start at Torridon (something like 1000 whiskys to choose from) and drove the Applecross loop twice, once each way. With minimal stops that took all day. Great day too. Distance takes a lot longer to cover in the NW.

I found the Mog ideal. i could enjoy speed when i could, but relax when not possible, which is quite a lot. A sports car would have been more frustrating i think.
Make sure your hood mechanism is in good working order for several up/downs each day. we did drive through several showers but it's not always possible/pleasant.

midges can be annoying, but beware ticks. modern ones can leave long term illnesses behind. keep lower legs covered and stick to paths. I spoke with some estate managers who said problem is getting worse.

Awesome trip, really want to go back. we did Sept, next time i'll go Oct or April at short notice with good weather.

I love the dry humour in this post! Thanks. I suspect it's a very good reality check. Still, planning and dreaming of the NC500 continues. The flying Scotsmen tour of a couple of years ago will, perhaps next year, be followed by the Morgan tour. SFGH says walking isn't practical so this makes a Morgan the obvious choice.

Btw, we had a blast!