Caravan holidays in Scotland

Snow in Nairn

Today was another icy cold morning so we headed down to Nairn for a walk on the beach. Remember you can do all this direct from Caravan 109 on the Lochloy Holiday Park in Nairn, Scotland.

As usual we headed down the harbour wall and then on to Nairn Beach which was completely frozen and covered in a thin layer of snow. There were people walking their dogs and a good few folk wrapped up well against the cold. There was also a group of lads playing handball - the tide was coming in and driving them further up the beach.

We cut back through the sand dunes and into the Holiday Park - it was good to see Caravan 109 in the snow. Remember the Park is closed at the moment until the 21st March but you can book your 2009 caravan holiday in Nairn, Scotland now.

Birdwatching around Nairn

A couple of days ago on an icy cold morning we had a look around Nairn to see what birds were around. There were the usual Long Tailed Ducks and Common Scoter out to sea but there was also a small flock of Lapwing flying well out over the Moray Firth. On the harbour wall was a very cold looking Rock Pipit as well as a very friendly Robin. Overhead was a small flock of Greylag Geese moving inland.

Down towards Ministers Pool there were some Cormorants drying their wings on the exposed sand spit, as well as a lone female Goldeneye in the calm shallows. On the Pool itself were half a dozen Common Snipe huddled together.

Crown and Anchor Inn, Findhorn

The sun was shining again so we took a trip across to Findhorn bay to have a walk on the beach. It was a balmy 12 degrees (not bad for late November) but there was a stiff West wind blowing. This was whipping up the tops of the waves out to sea making for a very pretty sight.

There were the usual wildlife culprits - Long Tailed Duck, Red Breasted Merganser, Turnstone, Common Scoter and a couple of Goldeneye. There were also plenty of Common Seals hauled up on the far shore of Findhorn Bay. When the tide is out there are around a hundred that lie on the exposed sand banks.

We had a coffee in the Captain's Table Cafe and then after our walk went for lunch in the Crown and Anchor Inn. It was our first visit and there was a warm welcome and a roaring wood burning stove. The food was very good as well - homemade Tomato Soup and Pork and Haggis Sausages with a Chive Mash. There was plenty of other options including Scallops, Duck Breast and Lamb Tagine. A nice way to end a lovely day out, and only 20 minutes from Caravan 109 at Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park.

Winter walk from Nairn

It was a lovely Winter's day with a light breeze and hazy sunshine yesterday so we decided to take a walk from Caravan 109 (Lochloy Holiday Park, Nairn closed until March 2009). We first went down Nairn harbour pier to see what we could see from the mini lighthouse. 

There were lots of Long Tailed Ducks which were quite close in. Their plumages looked great in the sunshine. Further out was a flock of about 20 Common Scoter which could be seen very clearly. In the channel going out to sea were 2 beautiful male Red Breasted Marganser - as good a view as you are likely to get of these birds.

We then walked through Lochloy Holiday Park to the East Beach car park. We took the footpath at the end of this towards Kingsteps and the Minister's Pool, passing by the dogleg left hole on Nairn Dunbar Golf Course. We stopped off to say hello to 'Darren', a magnificent Highland Cattle bull. He was resting!

We returned to the caravan along the beach as the tide was going out. There were a few Bar Tailed Godwits, lots of Wigeon and the usual Redshanks and Turnstones. A female goldeneye was diving close to the shore. A nice way to spend a couple of hours.

Wildlife from Nairn Harbour

It was a chilly and snowy November morning, looking out over the Moray Firth to the snow capped peaks beyond the Black Isle. The tide was out and the caravans looked lonely and empty at Lochloy Holiday Park.

On the water there was a small flock of Common Scoter and a few Long Tailed Ducks. On the shore line there were Oystercatchers, Redshank and a lone Turnstone. The other side of the harbour wall there was a large flock of Knot that kept flying up and around. On the river were a couple of nice male Red Breasted Mergansers. All very pleasant from the comfort of the car in the harbour car park!

Househill Farm Shop and Coffee Shop, Nairn

A nice local trip from Caravan 109 at Lochloy Holiday Park, Nairn is to go up the Grantown on Spey road from the A96 on the outskirts of Nairn, to Househill Farm Shop and Coffee Shop. It opened in May 2008 and has a lovely Tea Room serving teas, coffees and light lunches, as well as a great Farm Shop and tasteful furniture shop.

We enjoyed a coffee there this morning along with a good number of people from Nairn. There was snow on the ground and skeins of Pink Footed Geese flying around in the distance. The baby calves outside the Coffee Shop window were frolicking in the field with each other!

Elgin and Baxters Highland Village

Another trip out along the A96 from Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park and Caravan 109. This time we headed past Forres and Findhorn and went to Elgin.

Elgin is the capital of the Moray region of Scotland and is a lively market town by the River Lossie. It's best known landmark is probably the Cathedral dating back to the 1200's. It is well worth a stop and look around. This is certainly more than can be said for the Baxters Highland Village at Fochabers. The Tearoom and the Food Shop are nice but the rest of it fails to impress. It is however one of those rainy day options!!

Findhorn

Today we took a trip over to Findhorn which is about 15 miles from Caravan 109. The weather was calm with an interesting light, and the drive over to Findhorn along the A96 was uneventful. Once again we passed Brodies Countryfare and then on past Forres.

The turn to Findhorn is a left just past Forres and the road snakes along the side of Findhorn Bay. This is a mecca for wintering wildfowl and waders and there is a bird hide by the RAF base at Kinloss. There were Brent Geese, Wigeon, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin and Knot, as well as a few Linnets in the Gorse bushes.

Another fun thing to do at RAF Kinloss is to stand at the end of the runway and watch the planes taking off. The after burners and noise of the jet planes is something else! The car park and viewing point are next to the bird hide.

After watching a few planes take off we headed in to Findhorn for lunch at the Kimberley Inn. It is a true pub with a roaring fire, real ales and great food. Haddock and Chips in a homemade batter, Buckie Crab, Haggis and Stornoway Black Pudding stack are just a few examples of what is available. We left with a full stomach and feeling great!

Brodies Countryfare

Today was not such a nice day so we decided to go to the Classroom (Restaurant) in Nairn. This is only about a 15 minute walk from Caravan 109 at Lochloy Holiday Park and well worth a visit. During November they are offering a 2 course lunch for only £5!! Pearl Barley Risotto and Ham Hock Terrine for starters, and Spaghetti Bolognese and char grilled Chicken with Tarragon as a main course. Very nice!

We then went down the A96 towards Aberdeen for about 5 miles to Brodie Countryfare which is a shopping experience with a Highland welcome. There is a delicatessan, a restaurant and ample clothes shopping for men and women. Currently their Christmas shop is worth a visit. Just around the corner is Brodie Castle which is open from March to the end of October. The grounds are open all year.

On the way back to Nairn we passed Wester Hardmuir Farm Shop. This is a great place to buy fresh vegetables and during the Summer months you can pick your own fresh fruit. You an do all the above in a day from the caravan.

Day out in Dornoch

Dornoch is about 60 miles from the caravan in Nairn but is well worth a trip out for the day. It was made famous for being the venue for Madonna and Guy Ritchie's wedding, but is a beautiful scenic spot in its own right sitting on the North side of the Dornoch Firth.

We left Nairn about 11 o'clock and headed down towards Inverness on the A96. We joined the A9 and then crossed the Kessock Bridge over the Moray Firth. The view north towards Chanonry Point and Fort George was spectacular. Beyond the Kessock Bridge is the Black Isle with its famous Black Isle Brewery and its resident Red Kites - part of a release scheme a few yars ago. After crossing the Cromarty Firth we stopped off for a cup of coffe at the Storehouse of Foulis at Evanton before heading north towards Dornoch. Tain is worth a visit.

We arrived in Dornoch and had a good look round the Jail which has been converted in to a contemporary designed shop. The cathedral is opposite the Jail and there was a small wedding about to take place with the bride being piped across the street as we arrived. Lunch beckoned and we decided on the Dornoch Castle Hotel. It was pretty quiet but lunch was interesting rather than outstanding.

We took a drive down to Dornoch beach which is great for walking. The sun was just setting and looked spectacular over the water. Adjacent to the beach is the Royal Dornoch Championship Links Golf Club. I played here a couple of years ago and it is a fantastic course. We decided to take a slight detour on the way home and go via the Parkdean Holidays Caravan Park at Embo. Beyond this there was plenty of birdlife on Loch Fleet, mainly Greylag Geese, Wigeon and Lapwings. The Geese calling on the Loch were quite eerie but provided a fitting end to a great day out.