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NC500ish Trip



-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Thought I'd stick a thread up with some details and photos as I kept banging on about it. Didn't actually take that many photos in the end and still have to trawl through the GoPro and Drone videos



This originally started out as a KH trackway with a couple days blast further North as a replacement for an annual LM trip. Was looking at 20+ people to start with but that dropped and we ended dup sacking off the TD idea and just head North.


Lost a couple guys last minute due to the updated Covid Regs that came into effect that week but we ended up with a nicer sized smaller group anyway with a nice selection of cars that were all pretty similar pace really. There was times I wished I had less power to use more of the revs and gears and other times just a little bit more for the punch out the corners but we all came to the agreement that ~400hp is a good amount.



First day seen me leaving Dunfermline and head towards Stirling to meet some of the guys, Unfortunately the 700+ Procharged LS2 S14 was only joining for the day now due to the aforementioned Covid BS.

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20200916_110214 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


Todays route was up through Glen Coe, Round the Kinlochring then out onto Mallaig to catch the Steam train which we did, Although we sacked off Glenfinnan as it gets rammed and went another mile or so up the road to where the railway runs under the road, No one about so was ideal. Got a drone video that ill sort out at some point.

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2020-09-21_09-36-37 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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20200916_131453 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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20200916_164355 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


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DSC_2621 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

Our mate in the 355 joined up here, Stage 2 Capristo exhaust on it, Could hear him coming for a good few miles. Impressively quick car as well for a 90s Ferrari, I was shocked if I'm honest LOL

The A830 out to Mallaig from Ft William is really good stretch, Everything from slow tight corners to fast sweepers, Topped off with some incredible views out to Skye once you get up past Arisaig. I'd of liked to have got the boat over to Skye for a blast then back but we didn't have the time, Next trip will definitely get an extra day or two added on for that. Back down into Fort William for an overnight at the luxurious Premier Inn.


Awaken the next morning for what we had hoped for, Dry weather

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20200917_073744 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

Todays route was when it really starts to get good once you start getting further north

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20200825_000255 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

Weather was pretty grey and damp all the way up from Fort William and down through Glen Shiel which was unfortunate especially under the trees as you descend down towards Loch Carron. It did dry up once we got down to the bottom of the Loch and then back up the other side though as we haded towards to the Bealach na Ba. Last time we were up here as a group the sign only had a few stickers....

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20200917_112508 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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20200917_113009 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Weather wasn't great as we headed up the pass and the Cyclists doing 1mph didn't help the run up. Although I've always said the road up the pass isn't that good really. You do that for the experience and views over the actual driving. Coastal road is a far nicer driving road and once you get to Shieldaig it just gets even better.

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DSC_2640 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2633 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2647 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2650 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2653 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2655 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr



Got down in Applecross itself for some Fish and Chips out the van and the weather really improved and pretty much stayed the same for the rest fo the trip, 15-20 degrees, Sunshine and little clouds. Couldn't of asked for anything more really

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20200917_131253 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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20200917_134007 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Leaving the village we headed up along the coastal route, Squeezed by the local Hairy coos that like to use the road as a bed and a quick stop for some photos looking back down and over to Skye and the Cuillins

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20200917_142144 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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DSC_2685 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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DSC_2691 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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DSC_2681 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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DSC_2673 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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DSC_2674 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


From here we finished up the coastal road and got into Sheildaig and back on to some nicer roads with two lanes, A896, and we headed down into Torridon then through Glen Torridon to Kinlochewe before taking a quick detour uptown the Glen Doherty view point that looks down to Loch Maree.

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20200917_155319 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2701 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2711 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DSC_2719 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
From here we dropped back down the Glen for a quick Fuel stop as I know the A832 from Kinlochewe that goes round the coast through Gairloch, Poolewe then out towards Dundonnell and passing the Corrieshalloch Gorge gets really fast, Couple small sections of Single track road on that loop but the majority is fast, well sighted two lanes with the inclusion of some poorly placed drain covers right on the turn in or apex of a lot of the corners. Had a couple moments on a few of them when the tyres were still more on the cold side, Wouldn't fancy them in the wet or on a bike. Had a really clear run all the way round with the little traffic we came across being dispatched pretty swiftly or we were let through. Don't get that when you head south again that's for sure.


Made our way into Ullapool where we were based for the last two nights. Bungalow500 incase anyone is interested. Cracking B&B with all you need. Amazing beds and a decent little guest lounge where you can chill or even consume your Chinese takeaway with some beers as we did on the second night. Well recommended and will stay there again for sure!


Stroll down into town for some beers sitting on the seawall and some food followed. Was so happy we got lucky with the weather

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20200918_185742 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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20200918_180859 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

Woke up the next day to find this out my window

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20200919_095335 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Breakfast time for some fuel for myself followed by a quick stop at the only Super Unleaded for miles round to fuel the cars before setting off on todays route.

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20200919_091311 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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20200921_093450 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


We were going to go clockwise today but Kev with the purple S13 had to head back down home so we went the opposite way which meant he could join for the first hour or so thenhead south at Lairg and was a benefit to us as the road was shut from the Crask Inn for roadworks all day bar between 12.30 and 1pm so this would allow us to get through then. Turns out the workmen must of fancied a day off as we got all the way through and seen no-one about actually working.

The other benefit of the supposed road closure was we seen pretty much no one from Lairg all the way uptimes to Tongue so meant we could push on a bit more on the single track roads than we would normally


Once we reached Tongue we came across a bit more traffic but most of it allowed us past pretty quickly which is great, Some very fast sections on this road as you head towards Loch Eriboll then down the bottom and up the other side where it changes to single track again. I'm sure during WW2 they used to use Loch Eriboll to shelter during the bad weather for the merchant fleets and Artic Convoys?

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DJI_0011-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DJI_0016-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DJI_0021-HDR-Pano by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


Got into Durness and a quick stop off at the burger van for some food then back on the road again. Once you clear the singletrack road from South of Durness you end up with some more well sighted fast sections heading down towards Scourie then to the Kylesku bridge. Unfortunately there was a fair bit parked up so no donuts this time....

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DJI_0039-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DJI_0074-HDR-Pano by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DJI_0049-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DJI_0090-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Had a quick chat with a few boys, One in a 275 Cup-S and the other a GT86 they were loving it as well. Never caught them as we ended up heading towards Achmelvich beach for a stop before heading back to the digs in Ullapool
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DJI_0162-HDR-Pano by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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DJI_0106-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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DJI_0116-HDR by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr
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DJI_0142-HDR-Pano by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


Same thing again once back in the B&B, Some beers on the seawall then we got the takeway and went back to the B&B for some beers and to chat s**t about cars again.


Final day seen us head South towards Inverness then out onto the Old Military Road. Was good to get back onto some roads that I'm really familiar with and the blast from the Lecht down to Bridge of Cally was probably the quickest and hardest I drove all week. Such a good road and anyone that comes up to do the NC500 would be stupid not to do it either on the way up or down, Or both

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20200825_000228 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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20200919_084106 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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20200919_122628 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr

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20200919_134022 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr


And home, Splitter didn't get toooo damaged
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20200919_160721 by Jamie Atkinson, on Flickr



If you are in any doubts of doing it, Don't. Book accommodation and just do it. Id recommend April/May or September as the weather is still good but tourist season isn't in full swing. Although the season is all over the place with the current situation.

Huge mix of road types up there everything from slow hairpins to fast sweepers and all the stuff in between. We made it a thing to be pretty sensible on the straight stuff as there's no point doing proper stupid speeds along them so we gave ourselves a speed limit LOL.

Ferarri is mental loud and fast. 997 was quicker than I expected and the Cossie is madness, Kept it on low boost and it still had the legs on us all. I need decals and. tune now although I was the only one with a pax.



Ended up with 915 miles door to door for myself and used around 240l of fuel.

Proper love the E92 now, First decent drive since I had the bits done and really clicked with it now. So much traction and stability.


Mega
 

SCJM21

ClioSport Club Member
  200T
Fantastic pictures mate, looks like a great trip. Same as you, there shouldn't be any doubts at all. I did it last year across 8 days, we just set off with a boot full of supplies and camping gear/clothes and practically planned each day as it came. Absolutely stunning roads and views.

Best part is we did it in a ST-Line Fiesta and still had an awesome crack :LOL:
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Tbf I've done it in the daily with 75hp [emoji23]

Doing it over more days is a good idea though. I only really seen what views I had out the windscreen when pushing on so missed out a lot this trip
 

thecrim22

ClioSport Club Member
  various
i passed you lot i think it was around the commando memorial just north of spean bridge not sure if it was the cossie of silvia but the smell of unburnt fuel mmmmmmmmm near jizzed in me pants lol
 

andy_coops

ClioSport Club Member
  172, VRS, Clio 5
Brilliant write up. Definitely on my list and the Mrs is up for it - or was until she realised it’s 2,000 odd miles door to door in a Clio 😂
 

KitsonRis

ClioSport Club Member
Love to take my E34 for this trip, keep meaning to do it. Might suggest it as a holiday to the girlfriend for next year.
Where do you stay? Were you booked into B&B's/hotel/camp sites before you left? I would't be bothered with staying in a tent but I a sure I would get grief if we did especially if it was raining.
 

thecrim22

ClioSport Club Member
  various
Love to take my E34 for this trip, keep meaning to do it. Might suggest it as a holiday to the girlfriend for next year.
Where do you stay? Were you booked into B&B's/hotel/camp sites before you left? I would't be bothered with staying in a tent but I a sure I would get grief if we did especially if it was raining.
book well in advance under normal circumstances most bnb can be up to a year in advance that they are booked up and obviously with everything going on just now the roads are mentally busy too
 
  Golf Gti edition 30
I was up in ullapool last fri-mon and seen the escort cosworth. Also stayed in bungalow 500 the other year there and is a great place to stay. Love sitting on the bay wall having a few pints.
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-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
i passed you lot i think it was around the commando memorial just north of spean bridge not sure if it was the cossie of silvia but the smell of unburnt fuel mmmmmmmmm near jizzed in me pants lol
Would of been the cossie, runs stupidly rich [emoji1787]



I'd recommend booking in advance for any accommodation, loads of places are well booked up and some havnt even reopened
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
book well in advance under normal circumstances most bnb can be up to a year in advance that they are booked up and obviously with everything going on just now the roads are mentally busy too
Roads wern't that busy by any means, if anything I'd of said they were quiet
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Yep, the only real "traffic" was between Stirling and Ft William on the first day and even that wasn't much really. Even the A9 isn't hugely busy and I drive that everyday
 

R3k1355

Absolute wetter.
ClioSport Club Member
Great writeup.

but your mate with the S13 needs to have a serious talking to about slapping Skyline rear lights onto the rear, thats horrible.

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R3k1355

Absolute wetter.
ClioSport Club Member
Nah, cos there's already plenty of options for decent rear lights but for some reason they grafted on the clusters from a flabby R33?

For example:

beRBBs7.jpg
 
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-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
It was built well over 10 years ago as a drift car [emoji23] he was one of the first original drifters around tbf, He's well aware it looks gash and he can't wait to bin off the s**t kit etc now

Has a Tomei stroked CA in it that's been solid for a long time as well haha, but the drift scene has fallen on its arse so it's going to be changed to a fast road/grip car now
 

-Jamie-

ClioSport Club Member
Trip booked for this year again, Doing Skye via the Mallaig Ferry though instead of just stopping at Ft Bill.


Near enough the same group but the lad with the 997 is back in a Cayman S and my pax is taking his JZX110. Red S14 has also been painted and now has a 14a front end.
 
Mallaig is a great shout. Getting to Skye on the ferry is so atmospheric. And the A830 “Road to the Isles” is fabulous.
 

MrBlonde

ClioSport Club Member
Sounds awesome mate,what month you going?

Im going scotland in sept but with the other half.

Looking to do what your doing also this year with a small group
 
Sounds awesome mate,what month you going?

Im going scotland in sept but with the other half.

Looking to do what your doing also this year with a small group
Same here. If you like maybe we can look into something together? Sorry Jamie for thread hijack.
 


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