AndyB Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 I am going to fly some of the best bits around the North 500 (the route around the North of Scotland) next year. I will be camping/flying. If anyone fancies joining me then get in touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 Very interested Andy, keep me in the loop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 Will do Alan. I had a chat with Dan Burton, who flew all 500 miles this year - there is an article all about his trip in the latest issue of cross country mag. I don't want to fly the whole route as this needs back-up driver and also much of the route is not that scenic. I just want to fly the best bits and Dan said he will let me know where he thinks we should go. I have a roof tent for my car and my machine goes on a bike rack on the rear. Although I am disabled this allows me to go anywhere easily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 (edited) Sounds like a plan. Geoff my flying buddy has also expressed interest. Just taken this from the North Coast 500 site, I was not aware of this. ‘Wild Camping’ under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 is only allowed when camping by foot, bike or other non-motorised transport. It DOES NOT apply to motorised vehicles such as campervans or motorhomes. Edited October 26, 2020 by alan_k Wild Camping added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richjones Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I’ll be doing nc500 May/June next year and taking my paramotor. Be good if we happened to be there at the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted October 26, 2020 Author Share Posted October 26, 2020 That would be good Rich. Alan, that rule applies in all of the UK, but there is a lot of leniency. This site is good as a guide..... https://thegapdecaders.com/wild-camping-scotland-motorhome/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffw Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Hi Andy, Alan is perfectly correct iam very interested in this fantastic trip sound like a lot of fun,and a lot of flying.let me in on any new updates.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilzy Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Room for a couple more could be tempted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted October 29, 2020 Author Share Posted October 29, 2020 I am going to arrange places to fly and stay, with a flexible itinerary to suit the weather. Any number can come with some transport/tent/etc. Let's get a group together and then work out transport arrangements eg I can take one other (+kit) with me if you have own tent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Jackson Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 23 hours ago, Neilzy said: Room for a couple more could be tempted I hope you get to do this Neilzy... one way or another you will get to have some time away this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilzy Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 59 minutes ago, Lee Jackson said: I hope you get to do this Neilzy... one way or another you will get to have some time away this year! Cheers Lee yeah times are tough and was so disappointed with the demise of the Italy trip but hey ho hopefully Dan will sort another next year. Chatting with Henry may even sort a boys trip ourselves next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Was yhat the trip a few weeks back? I was wanting to do the Italy trip (just the week before when someone dropped out) but my wife would not let me because of the possibility of Italy joining the quarantine list. As she works form home it would affect her business. Then Italy joined the quarantine list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilzy Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Yes Andy it was that trip I’m sure it will be back on I think Dan likes to go out there around end of March so if all falls into place will try again then lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 Cool, I might be doing that one when no lurgy lurking around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerlord Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Hi chaps, I dunno if I'll be up there then, but if I am, I'd be keen to join for a few flights. Alan - motorhome camping wise - it's very different from england - where every car park has no overnight signs, and if you somehow manage to find somewhere you think should be ok, you get horns tooted at you at 2am and folk treat you like a pikey. In scotland, provided you are sensible, don't make a nusience and clean up after yerself there are loads of car parks and spots at harbours, coastlines, etc where you can park up. No one bothers. The 500 though was probably the worst thing imho to happen - as you get pricks in 8m long double axle hymers driving around 1 track roads, etc - frankly I wish it hadn't been a thing...if I wiz you I'd make a route that isn't on there for the most part - though there's certainly some bits you don't want to miss. As for flying - all I'll say is because there is right to roam across scotland, in my experience most land owners when approached are happy to let you take off and land when asked as they're already primed to expect people on land. But do ask - right to roam doesn't mean 'right to set up and fly my paramotor'. However as you go further north and the farmland disappears you get into land with no boundaries, etc. It's still owned (mostly by some english lord dick), and may have beasts grazing, etc - but as long as yer considerate you should be fine taking off/landing. What I will say, is that if you are not experienced flying in mountiains, please take care. Wind direction is rarely what the weather says, and in anything over 5mph wind, being too close to a mountain at the wrong bit can see you in serious turbulance or worse. Also, bare in mind that a land out might leave you miles from a living soul, with no mobile signal. I fly always fly with a PLB, foil blanket, etc just in case. And remember water kills... the loch's aint knee high like in suffolk, they's 100s of meters deep. And check yer NOTAMs - the NW is the low flying playground of the RAF and USAF.. And be on the look out anyway, as they don't always file them (as I found out myself a few years back). Lastly, please don't fly like a prick. There's not many pilots fly the highlands regularily. and some places have very limited places you can take off. So all it takes is a few arseholes flying 20 feet off the ground worrying sheep, buzzing houses, flying low along a beach with dog walkers, etc to mean the land owners is unlikely to be as accomodating to the next guy that turns up... watch the paramania idiots flying up there for avlesson in what not to do (e.g. flying 1 foot above the train at the GlenFinnan Viaduct, etc. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 All noted Stu, not flown in mountainous area but understand the vagaries. I don't fly over water and always check Notams, I wonder how many PPG'ers actually do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted November 2, 2020 Author Share Posted November 2, 2020 Thanks Stu, appreciate the help. I fly the south of Spain usually, 4800' mountain by the sea next to where I take off. Only twice in 4 years have I ever managed to fly low over it as the wind is rough! My plan is to only fly the best bits of the NC500, so mostly the west coast. If you have any thoughts on "best bits" please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilzy Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Shall we not chip in and hire Stu as a guide lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 2 minutes ago, Neilzy said: Shall we not chip in and hire Stu as a guide You would all have to buy Stu's 'StuFly' first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted November 2, 2020 Author Share Posted November 2, 2020 Lol. Maybe Stu could guide us for free so he can make sure we all behave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Andy How many days are you planning for the circular trip?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted November 2, 2020 Author Share Posted November 2, 2020 2 minutes ago, asquaddie said: Andy How many days are you planning for the circular trip?? Might not be doing the full circuit. My aim is to fly just the best parts, which is mostly the west side. Also not planning to cross country with support drivers, but to take off/land from the same places. Was thinking probably a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I've driven up the West coast, Appleby and around Isle of Skye - Awesome place Have you capped the number of pilots/vehicles, if not, any room for a small campervan? Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted November 2, 2020 Author Share Posted November 2, 2020 I haven't finalised anything yet. I was waiting to identify those interested then sort out what we fancy doing. I think 2 to 4 vehicles could work. More could get tricky in finding locations to stay. I have a car with a tent on the roof - like a camper van, but smaller and without all the facilities! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 OK, mine is a fitted campervan I guess solo for me, with the motors and sleeping arrangements. If too many , we could split into two groups and meet up at good locations!!! - just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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