Hi all, just thought I'd share our recent trip and first time doing the NC500. Not as adventurous as we would hope as I'm still recovering from a broken leg and we couldn't do a lot of the walking and site seeing we wanted to do. I repeat a lot about the moon boot etc in the post because it's reviews I've put on TripAdvisor for the sites we visited.
First stop was; Blair Atoll Castle campsite
A beautiful site with a big grass area for kids to play and dogs to be walked. Went for a drink at the Bothy Pub which is a 10 minute walk from the site next to the train station.
Shower block was clean and tidy. Individual showers had a cubby hole for shoes and clothes to keep them separate from the shower area.
Loch Ness Bay Campsite
Basic campsite with big open grass area clean toilets. 5 minute walk to the Loch Ness Inn. The Lewiston is the restaurant which was really nice, good food and drinks. An outdoor seating area for the dogs was nice. The vegan pasta was amazing.
Slight detour to Skelbo Castle to see the ruin and the view of Loch Fleet, where we saw some resting Seals.
Brora Motorhome amd Caravan Club site
Site wasn't that big but was very nice with well spaced pitches. Small shower block, clean and tidy; only 3 showers. Short walk to a beautiful beach which was great for the dogs. Would be a good spot for relaxing for a few days to unwind. Town is about half an hour walk which we didn't do.
Stop off in Wick to walk the dogs and get something to eat.
Next stop was the famous John O'Groats.
Another basic site on the trip, if I went again I'd have preferred a hard standing pitch to the grass one we were allocated (didn't realise at time of booking). As with all things the weather plays a part in how a stay goes, it was dry and windy (as expected lol) the view of the coast were nice. Shower and toilet block were a little dated but clean and adequate for a quick wash. The John O'Groats brewery pub is next to the site and was dog friendly; good for a few pints with seating outside.
Wee quick stop off at the Mackay Country Landmark for a picture, just because it's my family name.
Another stop off between JOG and Durness was the Norse Bakehouse, just before Tounge - nice vegan friendly food. View from the back patio was really cool.
Sango Sands Oasis
Stunning views from the site down to the beach. Great for taking the dogs and letting them run around. Decent shower area and washing facilities. There was a breakfast shack which we didn't use and the pub/ restaurant next door wasn't open on the day we were there, we will go back again and hopefully try them both out.
Managed to get a few pictures of the sun rise as well (roughly 5am - this was a complete fluke, I needed a pee ) also the NC500 written in the same wasn't us, but whoever it was we appreciate it.
Before we left Durness we visited the Smoo Caves; unfortunately with the two dogs and myself in a moon boot we only went to the first cave section; next time we will venture further in.
First stop was; Blair Atoll Castle campsite
A beautiful site with a big grass area for kids to play and dogs to be walked. Went for a drink at the Bothy Pub which is a 10 minute walk from the site next to the train station.
Shower block was clean and tidy. Individual showers had a cubby hole for shoes and clothes to keep them separate from the shower area.
Loch Ness Bay Campsite
Basic campsite with big open grass area clean toilets. 5 minute walk to the Loch Ness Inn. The Lewiston is the restaurant which was really nice, good food and drinks. An outdoor seating area for the dogs was nice. The vegan pasta was amazing.
Slight detour to Skelbo Castle to see the ruin and the view of Loch Fleet, where we saw some resting Seals.
Brora Motorhome amd Caravan Club site
Site wasn't that big but was very nice with well spaced pitches. Small shower block, clean and tidy; only 3 showers. Short walk to a beautiful beach which was great for the dogs. Would be a good spot for relaxing for a few days to unwind. Town is about half an hour walk which we didn't do.
Stop off in Wick to walk the dogs and get something to eat.
Next stop was the famous John O'Groats.
Another basic site on the trip, if I went again I'd have preferred a hard standing pitch to the grass one we were allocated (didn't realise at time of booking). As with all things the weather plays a part in how a stay goes, it was dry and windy (as expected lol) the view of the coast were nice. Shower and toilet block were a little dated but clean and adequate for a quick wash. The John O'Groats brewery pub is next to the site and was dog friendly; good for a few pints with seating outside.
Wee quick stop off at the Mackay Country Landmark for a picture, just because it's my family name.
Another stop off between JOG and Durness was the Norse Bakehouse, just before Tounge - nice vegan friendly food. View from the back patio was really cool.
Sango Sands Oasis
Stunning views from the site down to the beach. Great for taking the dogs and letting them run around. Decent shower area and washing facilities. There was a breakfast shack which we didn't use and the pub/ restaurant next door wasn't open on the day we were there, we will go back again and hopefully try them both out.
Managed to get a few pictures of the sun rise as well (roughly 5am - this was a complete fluke, I needed a pee ) also the NC500 written in the same wasn't us, but whoever it was we appreciate it.
Before we left Durness we visited the Smoo Caves; unfortunately with the two dogs and myself in a moon boot we only went to the first cave section; next time we will venture further in.
