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Why March? I live in London and will be getting the Caledonian sleeper train up to inverness. Tickets are drastically cheaper in March than April. And im also hoping I might get to catch a glimpse of the northern lights on the orkney islands. Ive already decided to delay the trip, so I could put some extra money aside for a more expensive ticket. Maybe someone with experience of the region can give me some advice?
We're planning on doing a run from Portsmouth to Papa Westray on the Orkney isles to see our friend at some point soon. As far south to as far north as you can reasonably drive!!
You'll have to get a ferry but it's all very doable getting there.
You can travel from Sccrabster or Aberdeen to Orkney rather easily.
What information do you need to know? There's a few hostels there you'll find quite affordable and pleasant :)
Mostly weather and riding conditions, I was hoping to camp so not too worried about hostels, however they might end up a welcome break from the cold should I go when its colder. Looking on Scotlands camping info websites, they say to be mindful of avalanches, snow storms and waking up to white outs. I'm quite confident that I've put myself off doing this during the winter now!
I did the NC500 a couple of years ago so I know the North Coast part of your route. It's great, Kyle of tongue and melvich especially. I did it in August though. However one of my favourite parts of the route was the A897 from Melvich to Helmsdale which is not on your route (maybe you could come back that way?)
Anyway i think it's a great idea. Not sure what the weather and daylight hours are like in March though. Probably not too bad.
Thanks, I will certainly add that on for the return journey! My friend told me its snowed in arberdeen everytime shes been there in march to visit family, so im becoming hesitant about the season.
Yeah, it's not unheard of for it to snow in London in March! Maybe not so recently, but it can happen. Are you camping? You'll definitely need to plan for more layers, which means more stuff / bigger bags.
If you take the A897, look up the Marc Beaumont NC500 route. There's a turning at Kildonan which takes you up and over the hill instead of going to Helmsdale so you can avoid the busy A9 for a bit longer. I couldn't do it as the bridge at the burn was flooded so I had to go via Helmsdale instead.
Haha yeah definitely looking at switching season now! I was going to take a bivi tent and wrap up, but all this talk of snow and floods is making me wonder if I should just allow myself an easier time!