We left Fortrose and headed north, just a short 1 hour drive to a lovely spot called Bonar Bridge, as you approach from the south there is a turning into the car park area on the right, there are concrete bays as you enter but if you go all the way through it turns to a gravel area right at the end and opens up into a viewpoint of the water and valley.
Amazing Views as we headed through the mountains down towards Bonar BridgeThe view from our Motorhome Window.
There are toilets here but currently closed, no facilities but the town is a very short walk across the bridge with conveniences store, take away and a pub.
We got up early to head down to the lighthouse for a spot of dolphin watching, we witnessed a few pairs breaking the service and a seal bobbing around but nothing spectacular, the view however was indeed gorgeous, the walk was about 20 mins to the point across the edge of the golf course.
After a well earned cooked breakfast we decided to walk into Rosemarkie, a 20 minute walk along quiet roads and through the Camping and Caravanning site on the waters edge, we stopped at a lovely coffee shop called Crofters, a nice selection of coffees, cakes and meals.
We walked down into the village and decided to walk to Fairy Glen Falls, the car park was only 3-5 minutes from the village centre but it was a long walk to the actual falls through gorgeous woodlands along the brook/river.
With over 20,000 steps under our belt we headed back to the van to moan about how much we ached and asking “is it bedtime yet”
We left the viewpoint at Loch Lochy around 7:30, through past experience we realised Fort Augustus Motorhome bays in main car park get busy fast so planned to be there between 8 and 8:30, arrived with plenty of spaces. £3 for 4 hours was nice and cheap.
We had breakfast and took a wander down to the town, headed out towards Loch Ness, it was beautiful.
We then headed up along the loch to have a nice morning coffee while watching the boats coming through the locks.
We left Loch Ness heading on to Inverness and our stop for the night Fortrose Bay Campsite, a lovely stop over right on the edge of the water @ £25 a night with EHU and all the usual amenities you would expect from a campsite, nice clean hot showers and amazing views over the Moray Firth.
Up early in the morning for a walk to the point to see Dolphins hopefully.
We left Cumbria nice and early with a 5-6 hour journey ahead of us, traffic was surprisingly light, we stopped a couple of services on the way up but especially liked Cairn Lodge.
We made our way up and along Loch Lomond, stopping along the way to get some photos
We stopped off at the Falls of Falloch for a cuppa and a walk to the falls
Finishing off for the night along the edge of Loch Lomond, a free viewpoint overlooking the water.
It was a very rainy day today, we woke to rain, it stayed most of the day and only brightened up a little nearer the end of the day.
Our first stop was Corrieshalloch Gorge, the car park (paid) was full but there was a few stops on the way there, we turned around and headed back to park up in one and even though it was raining decided to walk back along the road and visit the gorge by foot, as it turned out, a great idea 🙂
A nice steady path down to the swing bridge over the falls, just breathtaking, amazing views especially after all the rain we have had.
The bridge was limited to 6 people and did actually swing 🙂A very deep ravine, the photo does not do the drop justice.
Once over the bridge we headed left down to another viewing platform.
We then moved on to our stop for the night, Black Water Falls, a free car park set back along way from the road and almost right by the water/falls.
We left early as no phone connection heading south towards Ullapool, we stopped for a coffee on route in a little tearoom called “ The Elphin Tearooms”, nice coffee but a bit bleak inside.
Great View coming down into Ullapool. So many amazing views out of every window.
We arrived in Ullapool and headed to Tesco car park, we needed to stock up and have a walk around the town, the lorry park adjacent to the Tesco car park takes plenty of Motorhome’s and is free.
On walking to Tesco we noticed a laundry service establishment just off to the left, we enquired and was amazed at the price of £10 a bag of washed, dried and even folded cloths, so popped back to the van and dropped that off while we had a walk around.
We then grabbed a coffee and some great scones from “The Tea Store” on the road parallel to the harbour road, headed back to the van and waited for the laundry to finish.
By the time that was all done it was time to heard to our stop for the night, a camp site we passed as we came down into Ullapool called Ardmair Holiday Park.
Great hard standing pitch overlooking the bay.
We paid £26.50 for a hard standing pitch with EHU per night, services include, CDP, waste emptying grill, fresh water fill up, showers (hot and free), toilets and a laundry room if you want it, shop at reception with a friendly host to give you all the info.
We left Kinlochbervie and carried on south along the west coast, no real agenda except driving, stopping to take photos and keeping an eye out for off site parking to stay overnight.
We did find a ruined castle, well worth a stop and cup of tea.
Ardvreck Castle
We picked a spot using SearchforSites (app) and started off on a winding road with good passing places.
We ended up at Loch Lurgainn, a very popular car park for walking up a stunning outcropping.
We had to wait for a space to get the Motorhome in but once settled it was very quiet and a lovely spot to spend the night.
We left Rispond car park on the beach and headed west, we found Smoo Cave, the car park itself was very small but we did manage to find a space.
Boat tours are available on some days but not the day we visited 🙁Steep steps down but worth the walk.
We then headed on and found CoCo Mountain on the right, a craft village and cafe renowned for its Hot Chocolate, decent car park even for Motorhome’s.
We then carried on to our night stop at Kinlochbervie, we stopped right on the harbour itself called Loch Clash, it was £15 with EHU but only £5 without, full use of water, waste and Chemical toilet emptying, the view was amazing with another seal in the harbour as a bonus.
You pay at the spar just as you enter the harbour, good selection of food and drinks, very pleasant owners.
Although it says 5 vans plenty of room for morePopping up for air every 20 mins or soOur view for the night
As a bonus Karen made a cake while we enjoyed the view, win win.
