Caravan holidays in Scotland

Frosty day in Nairn

On our first day back after our Christmas break we went into Nairn for a few supplies. The whole countryside is white with frost and the temperature never got above minus 5 degrees. We also went down to Lochloy Holiday Park to check on Caravan 109. All the caravans looked very pretty with the frost hanging off them and the sun reflecting off the ice. Let's hope it warms up a bit before the site re-opens for customers in March.

On the way home we stopped at the Village Green, a wonderful little shop and tea room. It is small, simple but very good. The girls running it are very friendly and the shop is filled with tasteful household items. The tea room serves soup, sandwiches and wonderful cakes. Do call in if you are passing through Cawdor or visiting the Castle.

Christmas around Lochinver

This year we decided to have a Christmas holiday away from home. We picked a cosy self catering cottage at Cathair Dhubh near Lochinver in the North West corner of Scotland. The cottage was well equipped and comfortable, and the Christmas decorations added some festive cheer.

Lochinver is a beautiful spot about 40 minutes North of Ullapool. It has a wonderful Pie Shop which serves the most beautiful savoury and sweet pies either to eat in or take away. They also do mail order. Next door is the Caberfeidh Restaurant which is also very good. Both were open at this time of year.

On a couple of days we headed up to Durness right in the North West corner of Scotland. The drive from Lochinver is spectacular passing through places like Kylesku, Scourie and Kinlochbervie. An absolute must is a visit to the Durness Craft village and in particular the wonderful Cocoa Mountain. It serves the best Hot Chocolate ever and its truffles are to die for. They do mail order as well.

Just down from the craft village is Balnakiel which is the most beautiful of beaches stretching out to Faraid Head one way, and round past Durness Golf Club the other. We walked along here on Christmas Eve and stumbled across a Desert Wheatear - a real UK rarity. What a fantastic surprise!! We returned on the 28th and walked through the towering dunes to a shallow pool - this time we were rewarded with a large flock of Barnacle Geese and 3 Whooper Swans.

At the other end of the village is Sango Beach and Smoo Cave. The beach is stunning once again and the cave has a huge entrance and internal waterfall. Durness is a real treat and should be on any holiday agenda if you are anywhere near.

Another day out was spent south of Lochinver on the Reiff peninsula. This is stunning scenery and well worth a visit. The views out to the Summer Isles from Achiltbuie are spectacular. Trips run to these during the Summer months from Ullapool on the Summer Queen.

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day we just walked from the cottage. Christmas Day we went to the little bay past the old Corn Mill armed with a bottle of champagne. We saw no-one and heard nothing - it was so quiet! On Boxing Day we walked to the stunning beach at Achmelvich. There wasn't a breath of wind and the colours of both sea and sky were amazing. A great way to work off the festive indulgences.

So Christmas in the North West of Scotland was fantastic with great weather, stunning scenery and lots of birdlife. We will definately be going back in Spring. Lochinver is reachable in a day from Caravan 109. Ullapool is about an hour and a half away with Lochinver another 40 minutes. Worth the drive!!

Nairn, just before Christmas

The weather was dry but very windy, and the sun was low in the sky on the weekend of the shortest day of the year. The shops were open and people were catching up on last minute Christmas shopping. Nairn Round Table had a Santa sleigh in the High Street blasting out good old Christmas favourites - and lots of collection buckets as well. We went down to the caravan at Lochloy Holiday Park, Nairn, to change the salt in Caravan 109. We do this in the Winter to absorb any moisture inside the caravan.

The tide was almost out and the sun was bouncing off the sand of Nairn East beach. There were huge flocks of Herring Gulls as well as a large flock of Knot flying around. They looked fantastic with the sun catching their wings as they flew in unison. On the ground there were large flocks of Redshanks and Bar Tailed Godwits huddled in the wind. There was a solitary Grey Plover. Overheard there were skeins of Pink Footed Geese and out to sea there were the usual Long Tailed Ducks playing in the waves.

On past Ministers Pond we said hello to Darren the Highland Cattle bull. We also saw the 'only Magpie in the Highlands' which is always around the farm at Kingsteps. In the trees were 3 Herons and on the small pond by the farm were a dozen beautiful Teal. The trees were full of Goldfinches.

We then passed Nairn Dunbar Golf Course which was open, albeit empty. They were playing on full greens and it made me envious and wanting to play. We then completed the circuit and went for a coffee at Basil by Nairn Harbour. This is a great little place, open all year and serving quality coffees and light bites. We had 2 lattes and a fresh Crab Sandwich. Fantastic!

An icy Winter's walk in Nairn, Scotland

Today was bitter but blue skies all above. We took a walk along the coast to the West of Lochloy Holiday Park - the path runs right next to the sea for the whole duration. As we left Nairn Harbour there was a Moorhen wandering around on the rocks in the River. A Highland rarity!

The path runs past the Links Tearoom - well worth a visit when it opens in March. It then goes on past Nairn Leisure Centre along a wide path in front of all the larger houses in Nairn. They all have fantastic views looking out over the Moray Firth towards the Black Isle and further north towards Dornoch, Dunrobin Castle and on towards John O'Groats.

Next you pass in front of the Golf View Hotel with 42 bedrooms, a swimming pool and gym. Not much further on you come to Nairn Championship Links Golf Course. Although it looks private, you can walk down the right hand side of the car park and the footpath then continues down the right hand side of the first fairway. You can keep going for as far as you can manage. We turned round here but not before surprising a small flock of 25 Brent Geese and 2 Purple Sandpipers!!

Out at sea there were hundreds (literally) of Long Tailed Ducks, as well as a small flock of female Common Scoter. Closer in there were also about 20 Eider and 6 female Scaup with about 10 female Long Tailed Ducks. No males with them!! All well worth the icy walk.