The very far north of Scotland

[Dave_5040181]

I'm planning a three to four week trip to the Highlands next year, an area I love. We have been before and aim to take in some of our favourite spots in the CC directory. However, although it's been a long term ambition to go beyond a line which stretches from Inverness to Ullapool, i.e Thurso,Altnaharra etc is it actually worth the extra mileage and time making the effort ?

We can easily find more than enough to do keeping to previously explored territory but would we be missing out ?

We love hill walking and visiting gardens and historic buildings.

Any shared experiences would be welcome.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Dave try Brora, Dalchalm a CC site. Lovely drives around Strath Brora and Glen Loth. Nice quiet site, through the gate and 4 minutes over a golf course and you are on a empty sandy beach which stretches for miles. Only about 60 miles south of John O Groats. Now the down side. Just after passing through the village of Brora you turn right along a narrow road. The directions in the site book didnt mention a hump back bridge on a left hand bend over the railway line but if you are forwarned it is o.k. Once you turn off the main road its not far, probably 1/2 mile. Oh its on the east coast. If you are a golfer you can use the course too.

 

[354]

Went right up to the very North s afew years ago and stayed at the CC site at Dunnet Bay. Well worth the journey as the views were breath taking. Towing was Ok as the roads were quiet. One teat for the outfit was beridale braes on the A9 which is quite steep with tight corners half way up on bothes sides. Still managed to reach the topat 30 in second. apart from that there were no other problems. the road to Ullapool is single track in many places with passing places as is the road along the north from thurso, but as long as you keep a good look out for oncomming trafic and use the pasing places wisely you should have little trouble.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

We have toured the far north many times, taking in both Dunnet Bay and Altnaharra. Believe me - you wouldn't regret it, the scenery is stunning, particularly Sutherland. I read somewhere where it is classed as one of the remotest places in Europe.

It is definately recommended, and worth every penny of extra fuel and time to get there.

I expect we will be returning next June for a couple of weeks!!

 

[Ken_5040834]

Dave

I can echo his Lordship's recommendation for Dalchalm, Brora site, we have been the last 2 years (when we started caranning) and will almost definitely go again as we have relatives down the road in Golspie.

It is a beautiful area. We arrived at the same time as the Arctic Terns and they were amazing to watch, especially when they dive-bombed our lively dog!

We particularly like the drive up Brora Glen past Loch Brora. If you go in October, you can see hundreds of red deer and hear them - the noise the males make during the rutting season is awesome.

Its strange to see cattle on the golf course but the locals have some grazing rights that the golf club challenged, so the beasts are on there each night.

Regards

Ken

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Went right up to the very North s afew years ago and stayed at the CC site at Dunnet Bay. Well worth the journey as the views were breath taking. Towing was Ok as the roads were quiet. One teat for the outfit was beridale braes on the A9 which is quite steep with tight corners half way up on bothes sides. Still managed to reach the topat 30 in second. apart from that there were no other problems. the road to Ullapool is single track in many places with passing places as is the road along the north from thurso, but as long as you keep a good look out for oncomming trafic and use the pasing places wisely you should have little trouble.

Theres a lot of roadworks going on at Berriedale Del. I think they are moving the road away from the cliff edge. Still as steep and bendy though heheh!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Dave

I can echo his Lordship's recommendation for Dalchalm, Brora site, we have been the last 2 years (when we started caranning) and will almost definitely go again as we have relatives down the road in Golspie.

It is a beautiful area. We arrived at the same time as the Arctic Terns and they were amazing to watch, especially when they dive-bombed our lively dog!

We particularly like the drive up Brora Glen past Loch Brora. If you go in October, you can see hundreds of red deer and hear them - the noise the males make during the rutting season is awesome.

Its strange to see cattle on the golf course but the locals have some grazing rights that the golf club challenged, so the beasts are on there each night.

Regards

Ken

Dont forget the sheep too Ken, lolol. The Terns were there when we visited and I managed to get 2 lovely pics of them hovering above my head daring me to go any closer. We often didnt take our dogs onto the beach for a walk until 11pm. One night on our way back we passed another couple just going for a walk at 11.15 and it was still only dusk.

 

[354]

Went right up to the very North s afew years ago and stayed at the CC site at Dunnet Bay. Well worth the journey as the views were breath taking. Towing was Ok as the roads were quiet. One teat for the outfit was beridale braes on the A9 which is quite steep with tight corners half way up on bothes sides. Still managed to reach the topat 30 in second. apart from that there were no other problems. the road to Ullapool is single track in many places with passing places as is the road along the north from thurso, but as long as you keep a good look out for oncomming trafic and use the pasing places wisely you should have little trouble.

Hope they dont change beridale braes to much, I always see it as a challenge . mus agree it is some of the nicest scenery in britain and the quietness of the roads makes for stress free driving. next time we go up we were thinking of using the site at John O groates.

Fuel prices arent to bad either as there is a large tesco Supermarket just of the A9 at Inverness which we fill up in on the journey North.

 

[LadyMaureen]

Hi Dave,We are also planning to head north in May.Starting off at either :-

1.Newtonmore Inverhavon or Culloden Inverness.

2.Brora Club Site

3.Dunnet Bay

4.Altnaharra

5.Ardmair Point Ullapool

6.Gairloch ( Gairloch Sands hol. centre ) or Gairloch Holiday Park Strath.

7.Morvich

8.Bunree

9.North Ledaig

If Wendy reads this..... we have never been this far north before and any comments would be welcome.We are Club members and prefer to use Club sites when possible.We have no knowledge of the sites at Ullapool or Gairloch.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Bunree, North Ledaig and Brora are all nice, you cant go wrong with any off them. If you have a dog Bunree hasn't got much of a dog walk but the other two have on the beaches. Brora is quieter, see my earlier post. The hump bridge is nothing to worry about if you are forwarned.

 

[LadyMaureen]

Good afternoon Lord Brakewynde,

Many thanks for the information on Northern Scotland.

Tell me, I am curious to know what you do with the Butler and the Maid when you go away.Do you give them the run of your house or do you take them with you to attend your every whim?

Bet they are sleeping in a tent behind the wind-break!!!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Good afternoon Lord Brakewynde,

Many thanks for the information on Northern Scotland.

Tell me, I am curious to know what you do with the Butler and the Maid when you go away.Do you give them the run of your house or do you take them with you to attend your every whim?

Bet they are sleeping in a tent behind the wind-break!!!

The butler stays behind Maureen to supervise the serfs, I can assure you the maid sees to my every need ;O)

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Hi Maureen,

We have been up to the far north umpteen times. We usually do a three week tour and have made for Dunnet bay a couple of times , nice site, a little dated but excellent as you are 50 yds from the beach. Thurso and Wick we think are a little drab and disappointing, but a visit to the Heritage Museum in Wick is a must, it gives a real insight into the herring fishing. Our favourite spot is Altnaharra - the real back of beyond. It's a fab site with about 24 pitches, none of which are level, and of course no toilet or shower block, and private water supply which can sometimes appear a little gritty looking but is perfectly OK to drink.

As the site is on the edge of the loch, it's great for fishing if you are into that sort of thing. There are lots of places to take in while you are there, a trip along the North coast is a must. I wouldn't bother to go to John O Groats - it's only a shed and a couple of gift shops. Take a trip to Cape Wrath - fantastic.

We then usually go to the C&CC site at Inverewe gardens, You are just up the road from Gairloch, and you can then take in the Wester Ross coast route, up to Ullapool, again some spectacular scenery through Gruinard Bay, Aultbea etc.

There is of course the CC site at Kinlochewe, many people have described the site as a little tired, but we have always found it to be more than adequate. From there, or Gairloch, a visit to Applecross is essential, and definately stop off at the Applecross Hotel, they have the most extensive fish menu you are likely to come across. You will then return over the Cattle Pass - the highest in the UK.

We then usually go to Morvich, again a good stop off point for visiting Skye, Plockton etc, again try the Plockton Inn, they serve good fish dishes in there also.

This last year we had a few days on the new C&CC site at Glencoe and found it to be excellent, Bunree is OK but as LB says the dog walk is terrible, and because of that we choose not to use it.

Unfortunately, next year we will only be going for a fortnight, so will be extra choosy about where we stay!!

Hope this is of some use to you.

Wendy

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

PS

Never be put off by the roads, majority of them in the far north are single track with passing places - you never see enough traffic to bother about it though!!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

PS

Never be put off by the roads, majority of them in the far north are single track with passing places - you never see enough traffic to bother about it though!!

The sheep and cows dont stick to the passing places though :O(

 

[LadyMaureen]

Hi Wendy,

Many thanks for your information....we have heard so much about Altnaharra so that is an absolute definite stop.You never know....we might meet up en route if we get the dates right.Will let you know nearer the time!!

 

[Dave_5040181]

Thanks for all your replies, some interesting stuff. I am curious that a CC site is being avoided because it has a poor dog walk. I would have thought the whole of the North of Scotland was a potential dog walk ?Dave

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Thanks for all your replies, some interesting stuff. I am curious that a CC site is being avoided because it has a poor dog walk. I would have thought the whole of the North of Scotland was a potential dog walk ?Dave

Dont forget Dave, not everyone is as agile as they once were but still try to carry on caravanning. A dog is a good companion at home and on site and is a great way of getting to talk to other like minded dog owners.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Thanks for all your replies, some interesting stuff. I am curious that a CC site is being avoided because it has a poor dog walk. I would have thought the whole of the North of Scotland was a potential dog walk ?Dave

Dave,

Due to the amount of livestock roaming free Scotland is NOT a dog walk, its a potential death sentence for any dog caught worrying sheep. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times!