By My first experience of the NC 500 route on a motorcycle was just after the second lockdown when the UK was starting to open up post covid in the UK.
At the time, it felt like quite an isolated trip, hotels and BnBs were still social distancing. Staff were wearing masks, you had to try and avoid people in the corridors. Out on the main route though, there were plenty of people around. It was plenty busy enough and it wasn’t uncommon to be stuck in a campervan convoy waiting for someone to remember that they were supposed to pull over and let you pass.
As I returned home and the country continued to open up, I quickly became very glad to have gone at the time I chose. It seemed everyone and their nan was looking for a staycation in the UK and Scotland seemed to be on the list for everyone. You could see a lot of complaints on socials about how busy it was and how you might be better off finding a different route to explore if you wanted to enjoy your trip. Accommodation prices were skyrocketing and what I remember as a trip of a lifetime seemed to be getting ruined by popularity.
Fast forward to 2023, a new bike and many more thousands of miles under my belt, I wanted to relive the great trip I had. Accommodation is admittedly still high in price, and regulars on the Facebook groups patting themselves on the back for ‘calving their own path’ rather than following the North Cost 500 route left me wary about what the trip would be like.
My route this time wasn’t a pure NC 500 route. I stretched it out a bit further, to have some fun in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Glencoe, the Isle of Skye and the Cairngorms. But I still hit a good chunk of the best bits of the coastal route.
I have to say, if anything it was significantly quieter on the roads than my previous trip. The roads had been resurfaced and the sun was shining. Maybe everyone has done it already, maybe the staycation buzz has passed and the UK camper van and biking scene has either already done the route or has moved on to new exciting adventures abroad.
Either way, don’t be put off by the hype with people telling you it’s too busy or making you think it’s a cliche route. The NC 500 remains some of the best biking you can do in the UK, or maybe even the world – so get your trip booked and off you go. You won’t regret it.
