Touring Scotland

Totally agree about the Jacobite train, it was one of the reasons we started our trip in Fort William. I booked it for OHs birthday treat. We both loved it, cream tea and all. 

The furthest north we have been was stopping at the club site at Morvich and a day out to Applecross so I would be interested to know what made Clachtoll the highlight for you. Can you inspire me that it really would be worth the six hundred miles journey for us to get there on another trip north?

Have a great time in what's probably our very favourite country!

NW Coast in April 2017 was midge free as the wind was blowing way too hard and cold for them. But again, the warden in a Skye observatory said the eagles were more likely to come in  late April / May.
In May 2019 on the Outer Hebrides, (still midge free and very well blown) there was a family of 5 Golden Eagles apparently just flying from the nest within sight of our site on the W coast of Lewis, roughly level with Stornoway. Sadly they conspired to fly when we weren't on site, and we were told of the spectacular air displays overhead when we returned from trips round, despite staying around 5 nights there.
Back on the mainland that May, there were white-tailed eagles nesting and visible around Ullapool.

Since our 2017 trip it's got busier with the NC500. It's definitely worth taking other diversions from that route, and from what I read, avoiding any time after May, when swarms of MH's and caravans, (less of those), clog everything, including the local people's arterial pressure!

It's worth remembering when planning that miles to be covered in a day are realistically a  lot less once you get off the bigger roads, largely because of the roads themselves, but also through the absolute need to stop and admire things.

Having done most of the NC500 before it wasn't new to us but Clachtoll was.

The road to it is not easy, 5 miles of single track road that goes up and down with blind summits and lots of bends with drop offs. We had the caravan on tow so it was little more than 2nd gear for most of it. OH love's challenges like that, me not do much but the views were great.

Clachtoll itself, the site is mostly grass and tiered. Overlooking a beautiful bay of almost white sand.

You can see Skye to the left and behind that Gairloch, to the right is the Isle of Lewis.

Its very peaceful yet busy, the owner is a great guy and runs the site wonderfully. It's busy later in the day as MHs and tent campers stop in for an overnight. We had a front row pitch so the best of views.

Everyone that was there when we were, really appreciated the place. Nice walks or bike rides.

We were fortunate that we had great weather so I may be a bit biased. We found it such a lovely relaxing place.

MHs can travel the road north from the site but not caravans. We drove it in the car and it took over an hour to drive the 15 miles back onto the 'main road' we then drove south again and completed the circle back to the site.

Its not a place for folk who don't like peace and quiet, countryside and stunning views. There isn't a pub or hotel nearby but there is a small shop outside the campsite.

It took us an hour to drive from Ullapool, where we had stopped in for shopping and fuel.

Our next stop north from there was Sango sands and the Smoo cave.

All in all it was probably one of the best trips we have had in the UK. The Jacobite train to start with then Clachtoll, Sango sands, Dunnet head, Brora and Dornoch we loved them all, even the day we got blown to bits and had sideways rain 

I have to agree about Clachtoll. You don't have great views of the white sandy beach from all of the pitches. But the remoteness and effort needed to get there make it a very special feeling once you are pitched. It's not called a beach campsite for nothing. You are only 2 minutes to the white sandy beach. There is nothing around you for miles ( except maybe the offsite cafe and very quiet Drumbeg hotel and stores ) but Lochinver is just down the road for essentials. 

Remote,  peaceful,  welcoming are all descriptions I would use. We have stayed twice. Kick off the Crocks and go go all Robinson Crusoe. We love(d). It.

Brue has it right-Linger. You need to be flexible in your travel as the unexpected appears all the time. If I was concentrating on Golden Eagles then  Ben Eigh- Kinlochewe or the CL at Elgin with access to Assynt. It always takes longer to cover the miles. Lots of stops and manouvers for passing taffic. Allow followers to overtake. Best bit of kit is a Midge hat.Cheap at about a fiver from outdoor shops.Plus throwaway gloves. You wil then be almost midge proof.Fuel will be expensive and garages scarce outside of any large town, work on a full tank.

There was slightly less snow than in Brue's pic when we were at Glenmore at the end of May. Stayed away from the NC500 route too avoid the crowds. No ospreys at Loch Garten though.

The Cairngorms pic was taken end of May, we've had snow in June up there, but it's not a frequent event. It's a good area to see a variety of birds, Ptarmigan, Capercaillies etc also Mountain Hares and deer. The Highland Wildlife Park, an off shoot of the Scottish Zoological Society, near Kingussie, is a good place to see a variety of creatures and conservation projects.

Thank you Tammygirl it sounds just our sort of site and area. Unfortunately nowadays hubby is not up for a challenge towing although he used to be when younger so sadly I think we will have to give it a miss

They had Ospreys visit the nest, CY, but didn't set up home, as it were. Hopefully a pair will make it theirs next year. One can see a pair nesting on Loch Inch, south of Aviemore, near Kincraig church.