The van had been under it's cover since the end of last years touring. It was a long and wet winter, but I used the opportunity to book a few sites for 2024, taking advantage of some of the Spring Offers, and the discounts which both the C&MC and the C&CC Clubs were offering.
This trip was for a total of 7 nights, 3 nights at Culloden Moor C&MC Site and 4 nights at the Morvich C&MC Site. With the Aberdeen By-Pass now open, I much prefer to take the A96 north to the Highlands instead of the west route through Crianlarich.
Another benefit of the north route is the opportunities for dog walking on the way. We stopped just across the road from the Chivas Regal Whisky Bond just outside Keith. There's a fine woodland to let the dogs have a run around.
Culloden looked great. Spotlessly clean, and the pitches all freshly raked. A new couple of Site Managers this season.
The site dog walk is a gate leading into the extensive Culloden Woods. Great walking for the dogs.
The weather was mixed, but very windy. The day I went for a walk to see the nearby Nairn Viaduct, it was like a hurricane!
On the 4th day, we packed up and headed through Inverness, then down the Great Glen, through Glen Moriston, stopping at Glen Shiel for a break. Still a lot of snow on the lofty peaks of this Glen.
We arrived at Morvich at just after 1300. To my surprise, I was warmly welcomed as the very first visitor to the site for 2024! They had just opened the site 10mins before!
Morvich is probably my favourite Site in the entire network. I have been here many, many times with all my campervans and caravans and with many friends and family. A great location in Kintail.
Eilean Donan castle on Loch Duich, 10 mins from the site.
Having recently completed watching the entire series of Hamish Macbeth, the tales of a Highland Policeman in the fictional village of Lochdubh, I wanted to visit the location where the series was filmed. Plockton, near Kyle of Lochalsh and about 20miles from Morvich, where I was staying.
En route, we stopped at Ard Hill in Balmacara to walk the nice FC walk.
Great views up Loch Alsh to Kyle and the Skye Bridge.
Plockton is a lovely, picturesque Village on the shores of Loch Carron. And it does have Palm Trees!
This was the fictional Lochdubh Stores, run by Rory Campbell.
This building played the part of the Lochdubh Hotel.
And the Police Station and house of the main character, Hamish Macbeth.
Again, the weather was mixed but totally acceptable. Got some great walks and visited some of my favourite spots.
Looking up Glen Shiel towards Shiel Bridge.
Loch Duich towards Morvich.
The landscape west of the Ratagan Pass.
Spotted the Glenelg Ferry going through trials for it's re-opening in the coming days.
It seemed to be powering up and down, working against the tide.
Near the Ferry, had a nice stroll on Bernera Bay.
Looking south down the Sound of Sleat.
As usual, the dogs had a blast.
Stopped for another photo looking north from the Ratagan Pass.
The shop and restaurant near the Kintail Lodge.
A distant Eilean Donan castle of Loch Duich.
As the tide retreats, the remains of a very old 'fish trap' on Loch Duich, a short dyke which traps the fish as the water drops.
I even bought a Lava Lamp at the Kintail Craft Shop, which has a lot 'spiritual' type accessories!
Gave the weirdest reflections on the front windows, no wonder they're a hit with stoners!
Kyle and the Skye bridge. This was on a very nice trip to a walk on Skye.
Stopped to get a picture of Bla Bheinn in the distance, the weather was stunning this day.
Bla Bheinn a bit closer, this across Loch Slapin.
On the walk to Camusunary, the remains of an abandoned croft.
The Cuillin ridge from the hill overlooking Camusunary.
The diminutive Bothy beneath the bulk of the Cuillin.
Sgurr nan Gilelan and its terrifying Pinnacle Ridge. When I climbed this we done what is known as the 'Tourist Route' which was also terrifying!
The unmistakeable profile of Marsco which overlooks the famous Sligachan Hotel.
Another great walk is the waymarked trail which begins near Balmacara Square on the NTS Estate.
Great views down the Sound of Sleat.
Kyle and Skye in the distance.
And finally, 5 mins from the site, on the road to Ratagan, the absolutely stunning Sgurr Fhuaran, one of the Five Sisters of Kintail. This is reputed to be the steapest 'Munro' in Scotland in terms of it's relentless 'grunt'!
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and can't wait to return. These days, I always avoid the warmer season as the midges and ticks in this area are awful, and the clegs can also be a real challenge.
A fantastic week in the caravan.
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