Caravan holidays in Scotland

Day out in Findhorn

Yesterday was a grey day but we had a friend visiting from Appin, so took a drive out to Findhorn which is about 20 minutes from Caravan 109 at Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park.

We arrived at lunchtime so went straight to the Kimberley Inn for lunch. As always it looked great and we settled down to their huge Haddock and Chips, Chilli and Baked Potato. The sun was shining when we came out so we headed round to the Captain's Table as they have a marine shop and we needed to buy a wetsuit (swimming with seals tomorrow).

We took a stroll around the headland onto the beach and there were around 100 seals basking out on the sand banks. Out to sea there were lots of Gannets diving in to the sea for fish, and there were still a few Sandwich Terns squawking over the shallows. Back in the Findhorn Bay estuary there was a flock of about 50 Mute Swans, hundreds of Redshank, lots of Knot and around 20 Grey Herons. The highlight of the day though was an Osprey fishing overhead. After a couple of unsuccessful lunges, the youngster managed to catch a fish before heading off over the Pines of the Culbin Forest.

We rounded off the day with a cup of tea outside at the Captain's Table, whilst watching the kids on a sailing lesson. Just as they set sail the wind got up and the instructor spent the next 20 minutes rescuing them off the sandbanks and righting capsized yachts!!

Logie Steading

We had a friend up from London for the weekend as we went to Rockness 2009 at Dores. The festival and the weather were great and as always, we were in awe of the wonderful setting that this festival is held in. No doubt the Dores Inn had a good weekend!

On Monday, to help us chill out we decided to go over to Logie Steading, somewhere we had only seen in brochures. It is inland from Forres and only about 20 minutes from Caravan 109 at Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park.

It is a lovely setting and is made up of a converted barn steading. As you approach it the fields are full of Longhorn Cattle - a rare sight in the UK. In the Farm Shop you can buy Longhorn Cattle beef which is very dark in colour. We are trying out a couple of Rump Steaks tonight!! There is also a great Cafe with lots of homemade stuff. We had homemade Salmon Fish Cakes and Watercress and Leek Soups - mmmm!

There are lots of little shops dotted around the farm courtyard - a great second hand bookshop, a furniture restorer, the farm shop, a garden shop and a great textile gallery called Diva. It is a combination of textile designs and fabrics and well worth a visit. The ladies are very enthusiastic about their craft! Visit their website.

In addition to the shops there are several walks around Randolph's Leap, making it a great place for a day's visit.

Links Tearoom, Nairn

The weather in Nairn is fantastic this weekend and so we took a walk to the Links Tearoom which is right next to the West Beach at the far side of the 'Links', a grassy area by the sand dunes which hosts a bandstand and a cricket pitch.

It is like going back in time and reminds us of a seaside tearoom that we would have gone to when we were kids. It is great and sells ice cream, tea and coffee, sandwiches, teacakes, burgers and lots more. You can sit inside or out and if you sit outside there is always a dog (owned by a local) that brings you its stick and nudges you until you throw it for him. Everything is really reasonable and is served to you by a really friendly team of ladies and girls!! It is only a 20 minute walk from Caravan 109.

Classroom Restaurant, Nairn

Yesterday evening we decided to go to the Classroom in Nairn to see how the new owners were getting on. It has recently been taken over by Fiona and William Lean who own and operate Househill Courtyard, the very nice coffee shop and Farm Shop on the Grantown on Spey road (see November 20th post).

We booked a table for 3 at 8.30pm but got there a bit early. Fiona was on hand to greet us and explained that they felt that Nairn needed somewhere that offered good quality organic and fresh produce, such as the produce they sell in the Farm Shop at Househill. This was in eveidence on the menu with their Killala Chicken featuring as well as their excellent steaks.

It was fairly quiet as they are adopting a softly softly approach to their new venture. There was a team of very willing waiters and waitresses on hand and the young lady that looked after us was fantastic!!! We had Cullen Skink as one starter and a trio of White Pudding, Black Pudding and Haggis as another. Main courses were the Killala Chicken stuffed with King Prawns and Leeks and a plain Sirloin Steak with House Salad. It was all washed down with a bottle of Pinot Grigio and a couple of Ports (with our Cheese). Considering it was their first full night of operation it was very good.

The Classroom is on Cawdor Street in Nairn, opposite the Post Office and is open 7 days a week. It is about a 15 minute walk from Caravan 109 at Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park.

Dores Inn, Loch Ness

Yesterday was cold and grey but we decided to take a trip from the Caravan at Lochloy Holiday Park, Nairn down to Loch Ness. It is an easy run straight down the A96 to Inverness and then take the B862 down the east side of the River Ness. Look at Google maps

You can always stop off in Inverness city and take a look at Inverness Castle as well as taking a wander around the old covered Victorian Market in the city centre. The tidal River Ness is also very scenic as it runs through the city.

As you leave Inverness you pass through a nice leafy area with huge houses on both sides of the road. Dores is only about 8 miles and as you come down to the village you get your first view of Loch Ness - a beautiful view all the way down the Loch towards its southern tip at Fort Augustus. The fields on the right are the venue for the annual Rockness Festival in June.

The Dores Inn is on the right overlooking Loch Ness as you come in to the village and has recently been taken over by the owners of the Storehouse at Foulis (see November 16th Blog). It has been simply and tastefully renovated and the food mirrors this. We had a warm Duck and Bacon salad and a beautiful piece of Gammon. This was followed by the homemade Lemon Meringue Tart and a White Chocolate and Berry Mousse with Meringue Sticks. Delicious and very reasonable.

A beautiful weekend in Nairn

This past weekend was a beautiful one in Nairn, Scotland and was the first time we managed to get the bikes out this year and cycle from Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park. We didn't venture far as the ground was still frozen in places but the sheer thrill of feeling the icy wind blowing in our faces was great!

We left Caravan 109 and headed through the East Beach car park and past the Nairn Dunbar Golf Course. They have spent the Winter cutting back a lot of the Gorse bushes so you now get some nice views across the Golf Course. We then went on past the Minister's Pool and cut up in to the Culbin Forest where there is a great little track with a few twists and turns, as well as a great steep trick slope! We stopped and looked out over the marsh and mudflats where there were huge flocks of Knot, Oystercatcher and Redshank. There were also large numbers of Bar Tailed Godwits. We then returned past Darren (the Bull) and along the road back to the Caravan Park.

Having put the bikes away, we then set off on foot the other way towards Nairn harbour. On the beach we passed the resident (in Winter) flock of Snow Buntings which seems to get bigger each time we see them. There must be at least 70 of them. We then stopped off at Basil, the wonderful little cafe by the harbour. They are currently doing the best fresh Crab sandwiches in the world!! Fed and watered we carried on past the Links Tearoom and towards the Nairn Championship Golf Course.

Out to sea there were lots of Gulls but it was the wildfowl that were the stars. There were lots of Long Tailed Ducks (or Fairy Penguins as a friend of ours calls them!), 3 female Common Scoter, some Eider and a small flock of Scaup including a splendid male. There was also a beautiful male Red Breasted Merganser close in showing his colours in the sunshine.

On the way back to Croy we came across a huge flock of Pink Footed Geese and amongst them there were two Barnacle Geese. They look very out of place!!

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!!

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.

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.