Great vid been lookin to this myself, live just out side of Portsmouth so will be one hel of a trip. Lived in Dunoon as a child. Rest ye be thankfull some where my parents loved to go
Great stuff. So good to watch a a video of the route about the route rather than it being about the bike, tech or the rider. An adventure bike is a bike you have an adventure on right 👍 Great to to see you on the trip with your dad, priceless times.
Just come across your channel & this was the first video I've watched. Brilliant, absolutely Brilliant. The best NC500 video I've seen. Thx for sharing your trip
What an excellent video. I did a very similar trip in Sept 2021, but my start and finish point was a bit further south than yours... Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. I was camping, but I echo what you said about the availability of food due to covid and I also spotted, especially in the far North that almost all hotels and certainly all the B&B's were closed. I didn't follow the NC500 route exactly and I had superb days in both the Cairngorms on the way up and in Dumfries and Galloway on the way home, but Scotland from a motorcycle is just epic, every single day.
@@blippety The round trip was just a touch over 2000 miles. I'm planning on being back up there in September to do the Crieff Cloverleaf, plus a few National Parks on both the way up and back down again. Fingers crossed for fair weather and few midges!
Wow, one of the best bike tour video's I have seen, detailed, thanks for all the work you put in, I'm planning on doing this route next year, this was very usefull
Cracking video Graeme and a superb voiceover. I’ve ridden this route a few times and you really capture how it feels, with the almost endless spectacular views. Even in the rain... Looks like you had a great time.
Brilliant video and congrats to dad for persevering on his V-Rod. Shortly I will be doing Wales with two of my sons on our bikes, but only for a long weekend and expect our mileage to be somewhere around half of what the two of you managed. Ride safe.
Brilliant vid, did the same trip with some friends from the Cotswolds in 2019, my plan as being the old man now is to do it with my son soon when he gets his A2 license, thank you and all the best, ps originally from Paisley but now south in Gloucestershire, cheers Mitch
Great video - I am planning to do what you did this summer albeit I live down south, near Bristol!! And guess what my choice of transport is? A YB100 - 2 stroke. If there is no fog at the top of the Applecross Pass there sure will be some smoke after I pass by !!
I guess I've just become so used to running style commentaries on Moto vlog videos that this seemed strange, for want of a better word? However the quality and professionalism of the journalistic style commentary soon won me over!! This was an absolutely brilliant heart warming tale of an epic journey taken by father and son. Which gave great insight into what others can expect who choose to do similar. I've watched many NC 500 videos and non of the others convey the equally breathtaking qualities of the North East roads and the sights and amenities which adorn them. Very well done!!
As a Highlander who has travelled extensively all over the Highlands and watched many of these videos on the NC500, it's great to hear someone who can pronounce the place names properly. I realise that it can be difficult for visitors, but it does make me cringe. Great video and really pleased that you enjoyed my beautiful Highland home.
Hi Graeme - just stumbled across this today - enjoyed your vid and the format in particular and live all the information given. Not that many decent Scottish biker vloggers around ( I’m not one of the BTW - got 13 subs 😂😂) But love the whole community thing and follow the big 4. Where you from - I’m down near Erskine ride a KTM 1290 Super Adventure. Come say hello if ur any where near by - ( Mr Whisky M8) cheers for now “🥃”...bikes and whisky that’s my thing.... 👍
Me and my partner who no longer here did Stirling to fort William to Ullapool finishing at Durness but he would not go the wick way for some reason so we came back same way beautiful drive specially on motorbikes ❤️
I have just done nearly the same but the other way around from Lanark and back on a 125 Super Cub in two days, the pass is a doddle on a small bike the haddock and chips at the Applecross hotel is a just reward when the pass is over then on to Ullapool for the night. The worst part was the North coast road on day 2 with oncoming motorhomes just bullying their way through and groups of cyclists taking up the whole road, four abreast in places, was just plain stupid. I checked my fuel stops for the journey before leaving as the tank only hold 3.6 ltr which got me 90 or so miles ( the most filled was 3 ltr ) so if you are planning a trip , plan your fuel and a credit card is a must as some filling points are a single card only pump with diesel or E10 only. Who says you need an adventure bike to have an adventure but be warned the Scottish greens have forced through their 20mph max speed in built up areas so be prepared to crawl along in the towns and villages, plain police bikes and cars ( white golf TSI around Wick area ) are very active on the NC500 collecting fines to pay their wages.
Thanks so much for such an enjoyable video; really great to watch, and thoroughly enjoyed - reminds me of doing the NC, and of home in general...(From a Scot living south of the border)
mate that was epic. im am going in march 22 and found your kit low down very helpfull .chears from covid boy in bed on recovery and looking 4word to getting on it.
Oh definitely a few more days. It will take me four days to get to Inverness then I am thinking of stopping at Thurso, Altnacealgach Motel, Applecross and Skye. Just wondering - is there an easier way of getting over the Applecross Pass? East to West or West to East. I have looked at both on videos - it looks steep at the start of the West to East route and then maybe not so bad? Id be in 2nd gear most of the way !!
Did you guys find the trip was too short really? Trying to do all that trip in such a short time, would you do it again, or would you do shorter trips, in several stages?
We were lucky that the choice we took was spot on. Doing less than 200 miles each day (aside from the first day blasting up) makes the riding portion of it really easy. Especially given you can overtake anything and escape traffic jams in a way you definitely can't in a car. We're not really sight-seeing obsessive - prefer good roads and views rather than taking the time out for tourist attractions. If you wanted to go and see more museums, gardens, tours and so on you'd need more than 5 days for sure.
really excellent video and commentary. Long lasting memories made between you and your dad. I'm from Glasgow but live in San Diego California now. Great to see some of the roads, especially the old military road at the rest and be thankful. I used to ride it on my "Flying Scot" pedal bike when i was a boy and many of the roads around Loch Lomond and the trossachs too. Would love to rent a bike and ride the NC500 when I get back over to Scotland. Thanks for taking the time to record and produce this. Very relaxing video that beautifully showcases the country. Cheers!!
Brilliant video. Thank you. Planning a ride around Scotland and although it's a long way up from Devon, your story makes it more likely to happen. Riding with your Dad must have been very special too.
Great video and storey too, thanks for sharing. I have been to Scotland on bikes and scooters three times, including the NC500, Cairngorms, Skye and Arran. All of which have been truly outstanding. Such an amazing country to be proud of. You definately need to go back even just to do the Applecross to Sheildaig road :)
Really enjoyed your video and your commentary was very good, when you were in Dunkeld, it would have been a good idea to take the road to Blairgowrie which is only 10 miles away and then travel up through the Cairngorms on the A93 up past Braemar then on to Tomintoul as the road is fantastic and has some stunning views, and it isn't much longer than going up the A9. you mentioned you missed out doing the Drumbeg Loop, i would suggest if you ever want to do it at some point, do it Clockwise as i've found the views better in that direction, it is a very narrow road and can take longer than you expect though, a slight detour to the Lochinver larder in Lochinver is definatley worth a visit they make world famous pies with all sorts of fillings and they are delicious!
@@blippety it might be an idea to do the whole route clockwise the next time, I've done it in both directions and my preference is clockwise but both ways are stunning.
Fact that you did it with your Dad makes it special. I'm planning to do it with my son when he's turns 10. Thank you and I've saved this video to my favourites.
Class mate, commentary was brilliant indeed like so many have said. One of the best road trips in the country. Like you say it does not matter what way you ride it. Spectacular both ways. Thank you
Great video..given me some thoughts on where to go...will defo take the road to the "Rest & be thankfull" viewpoint on my way up to Taynuilt to see my family....Do a massive tour later this week..10 days on the bike with Scotland & Lake District. Thanks for he upload was great to watch it.
@@blippety First few days was glorious Sunshine and pleasure to ride around West coast...got to Hebrides and weather changed and pretty much rained from then on..but still doing most of NC500 over next few days after coming off the boat and then x1 day in the Lake district..was awesome, cold & wet..but awesome!
Great video Graeme. Really well done. If you and the old man would do it again I'll be over maybe next year. That's a trip that should be on every bikers bucket list. My best to you and your old man.
Nice vid, good narration. My wife and I did some of Scotland in 2020 some of the same roads you went on. Stunning country and scenery . Pleasure to watch.
Great vlog, having done the nc 500 a few times myself it was pleasing to see it from another set of eyes and i will return next year i hope. well done Graeme enjoyed your trip.
Thank you. I’m doing the NC 500 in may 2024 and I’ve watched a few videos. This is by far the best one I’ve seen and so informative. Definitely will be trying all the single malts possible. Wish I could do it with my dad but unfortunately he’s no longer with us. He was also shit on a bike tbh
At 15:30 - When we did the NC500 (couple of years back) we experienced some of the worst thunder and torrential rain going through here. The sky turned so black it was like being plunged into night for a while. If you ride in Scotland be ready for the weather.
Awesome mate I stay in Glasgow and am planning this next year and can’t wait , very informative video your footage is beautiful .. lovely bikes also all the best bud
@@MrRichardtodd666 Yeah we did the South West Coastal 300 last month. I've wrote the script, just need to record it and put it together with the footage 😴 the plan next year is a 10 country Euro-trip and maybe some UK stuff too!
@@blippety awesome look forward to watching that one mate .. 10 country euro trip sounds awesome .. you and ur dad have lovely bikes have you thought about doing review vids on them
@@MrRichardtodd666 Would love to mate but I already run a business and got plenty going on out-with 😂 If I do more videos and they do well, who knows what it might inspire though! Whatever I do, I don't want it to start putting pressure on, otherwise it becomes about something else rather than the love of it and kinda loses it's magic, ya know?
Thank goodness! Someone else that values the East Coast rides. I live on the East Coast and they are some of my favorite roads. Obviously not the motorway out past Aberdeen, that's just damned boring, but you don't have to use that. Head cross country to Nairn and you will have some brilliant scenery and very twisty roads. The East Coast is SO underrated.
Thanks mate, me and the old man have just done the South West Coastal 300 and we'll do the North East 250 next year at some point - so much east of Inverness will be getting explored!
I watch a lot of NC500 related video’s….your video is excellent! Great narration, good photography..well done! I’ll be flying to Glasgow ( bloody covid permitting) to ride the NC500 in May (5th attempt)
A excellent video. Just love Scotland. Travelled 6 times this year from Newtownards near Belfast to Scotland. Once you get the ferry over to Dunoon the fun starts I find. Stunning scenery, fantastic roads and friendly people. Scotland and its beauty never fails to surprise me. Can't wait to go back. Scotland the brave. Scotland the beautiful.
@@blippety yes there are plenty of good biking roads in northern Ireland but they don't compare to Scotland. When I get the notion for another trip round the Highlands it's only a 2 hour boat trip for me. I would stay at The Tyndrum Inn regularly as it very central plus its well priced.... 🇬🇧🏴🇬🇧🏴
Great video. Nice to see a video with the stunning views and quality information. Great memories to make with your Dad. Me and my partner are heading up in May so we can’t wait.
in 4 days we head from Newcastle up to inverness for our 1st stop and looks like following the same route. gonna take the coast route to applecross and back over like you said ;-) our last stop is in Erskine before the trip home
Wow this video has it all plus it is so well narrated by Graeme, I'm so looking forward to visiting Scotland in July its going to be a trip of a lifetime for me
Cheers Smudger! Can definitely be done on a budget if you're cute about it. Plus if you're from here then it's a no brainer while international travel is on hold 😡
Great video buddy. We did England, Scotland & Wales in June this year. I miss Scotland big time at the moment, can't wait to go back. Absolutely loved it up there. We met up with a few local bikers on day 7, and that was a superb day. We had a couple of misshaps, glad I caught them on camera🤣 Keep posting, really enjoyed that mate. Subbed
Hi Lad.. Liked and subscribed. Me and my missus embarked on our 500 on the week Scotland opened up May 21. The weather and covid restrictions meant we could only do the tour but not visit any attractions.. I remember saying, coffee there NEXT TIME all the trip. But the tour is just so much more than a bucket list. IT'S A LIFE changing experience. Keep safe lad and enjoy your dad's company as much as you can before you have to go by car due to decrepit nessus takes it toll ❤❤❤
very well done lad cracking video and comes across very professional but laid back plenty of info too , I live in Caithness so part of that route is my playground on the bike always finding more spectacular views and rides , Again well done and how awesome a ride with your dad one day i hope to do the same with my son :)
@@blippety Aww your very welcome lad credit where its due some bloody awful vids out there , you should think of maybe doing more as a profession , Aye some good riding up here thats for sure never get tired of it , Take care out there :)
Great video, really enjoyed it. Doing this myself in May 2022, how challenging would you say is the riding for someone who is relatively new to motorcycling?
Cheers James, Bealach na Ba is the only tough part on the main route with the twisting hairpins and poor surface, but possibly fine for someone new on a clear day. Passing your full bike test isn't easy, so if you can do that you should be able to do this. Just take it easy and soak it in 😎
We did it about 5 years ago and one of the bikers passed his test 6 months before and was fine. Keep the speed down to sensible levels, enjoy the scenery and take your time and you'll love it.
Hi Graeme, Great video and would love to share it on our Facebook Page......Well filmed and the information is very useful for those planning the Route.
