Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4506
Scotland Road Trip Photos - North Coast 500
Hi all,
I spent last week driving around the north coast of Scotland in my D3, following the route marketed lately as the "North Coast 500" - Scotland's answer to Route 66. Google it if you're interested, it certainly didn't disappoint! It was more like 920 miles for me, given that I started and finished much further south than Inverness, but the D3 did a brilliant job and averaged 26mpg which I found very impressive considering the types of driving we did and the extra weight/inefficiency of the G4 kit.
I've picked up a few new squeaks and rattles, which I'll need to address, and had a bit of an issue with (I think) a stone in my brakes which caused a racket, but it's due a service soon so will get it all cleaned up.
I thought some of you might be interested in seeing some photos.
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9424
Cracking Pictures Iggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
19th Apr 2017 10:49 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
looks good Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
19th Apr 2017 10:58 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4540
Great pictures Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
19th Apr 2017 11:23 am
Hairy Dan
Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 12319
Great photos Cheers Ian
--------------------
Club N.E.R.D.S
Kielder 4x4 Safari
Discoless
5 of us from this forum are setting off on Saturday to do it Hope the weather is better than you got The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
19th Apr 2017 1:32 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4506
I was originally hoping to join the DISCO3 trip Mark but couldn't make the dates work with my company. You'll have a brilliant time - your weather can't be much worse than mine!!2007 Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE G4 Challenge (1 of 68)
2023 Defender 90 D250 X-Dynamic HSE
19th Apr 2017 1:46 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6415
CY would you be able to suggest cool place to stay in while up there say mid way through the distance?
G
19th Apr 2017 2:30 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4506
I stopped at:
Applecross: Hartfield House Hostel (was more like a basic hotel - had a private room, lovely bed, very clean bathroom etc) - £44/night
Ullapool: Caledonian Hotel (was a bit basic and tired but clean and did the job) - £70
Achmelvich Beach: Hostel (basic but cheap at £40/night ish)
Bettyhill: I couldn't get in to anywhere at Durness or John O Groats but Bettyhill was right in the middle of the north coast and this hotel was brilliant! We paid £90 for the night and the staff were brilliant, it did brilliant and reasonable food and had a super setting overlooking the beach. Would definitely recommend that one!
I then drove straight home from John O Groats. Was glad I wasn't camping as it barely stopped raining all week - hopefully next week is better.
Member Since: 21 Feb 2012
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 603
Passed you last Friday on the way down to Poolewe was good to see another Disco
"Your mind is like a parachute! It will only function when open"!
Kenny
19th Apr 2017 5:56 pm
JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
grzesiul wrote:
CY would you be able to suggest cool place to stay in while up there say mid way through the distance?
G
As CY said, the Bettyhill Hotel is decent. I've not been for a few years but have stayed several times. The food is generous portions and the rooms are clean/comfortable if a bit basic. Small 'locals' bar, but decent banter if anyone is in. Great views from the front over the beach etc.
There are also two hotels in Tongue, the Ben Loyal and the Tongue.
Tongue Hotel does great food and is a grade or two better (and more expensive) than the others, and is my 1st choice these days when in that area. 8)
The Kylesku Hotel has recently(ish) been taken over by new owners (I think) and has had new rooms and re-furbs and is highly regarded by customers. In Lochinver there is the Inver Lodge and Albanach close by, both with top quality restaurants (Chez Roux at Inver Lodge plus great views) and The Coulag for the less well heeled! In Ullapool the Ceilidh Place is probably the 'best' hotel and does good food and drinks and often has live music etc. There are lots of B&B's and other hotels, for all budgets.
Further south there's The Torridon Hotel (and Inn).
I suppose it will depend on your budget, what direction you are travelling and how leisurely your pace as to where else to recommend.
19th Apr 2017 7:12 pm
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Great photos and the G4's still look 8)D4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
19th Apr 2017 7:13 pm
Beno2
Member Since: 18 Apr 2009
Location: SE
Posts: 996
Great pictures ..... I see from the photo that you can park/stand next to the famous John O'groats sign post without being charged unlike Lands End.......D3 HSE
19th Apr 2017 8:26 pm
Dr LC8
Member Since: 31 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester but from Rome
Posts: 164
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