CLUB SITES & GRUMMORE North ❖ Stars Andy Stothert heads for the top of to Ordnance Survey Landranger Maps 16, 17 sample the delights of two very different Club sites

EHAVEstayed at both these golf course from a wide, completely sites before, so if it seems I’m unspoilt and seemingly never-ending W giving the impression that one beach. Our first half-day at Dalchalm of them came as a bit of a surprise or I’m found us ambling through the dunes to radiating a sense of raw amazement about Brora for a meal, before shuffling back the other, then it will be because along the sands to the site in the lovely Dalchalm really did surprise us and late evening light – simple pleasures! Grummore always amazes. Day two and the bikes were unloaded Dalchalm’s prime asset is its location, for the short ride to the vision which is just a couple of hundred yards across a . There isn’t room

Latheron harbour, a few miles north of the Club’s Dalchalm site >>

34 The Caravan Club Magazine May 2010 The Caravan Club Magazine 35 CLUB SITES DALCHALM & GRUMMORE

place we can’t pass without staying. While I realise Dunnet Bay wasn’t part of the brief for this feature, it does occupy a natural place between Grummore and Dalchalm, and is a wonderful spot. The road to Strathnaver from the coast brings a gradual realisation that things are going to be somewhat different at Grummore (a member-only site with no toilet block) compared with the coastal sites at Dalchalm and Dunnet Bay. It isn’t that Grummore is wild and deserted in a desolate kind of way, rather wild and deserted in a peaceful and starkly beautiful way. A week here just relaxing outside with a good book, absorbing the lack of humanity and its associated cacophony, would be well spent; but for those of us who are incapable of sitting still, the biking and walking potential straight from the site is inspiring. You could even bring your canoes and explore the vast expanse of Loch Naver, which laps gently against the site. All-in-all, Grummore isn’t so DID YOU much a caravan site as a small part KNOW? of this stunning landscape where Brora was the first we have the privilege of being able town in the north of Strathnaver has here to discuss the remarkable Dunrobin desolate ‘Flow Country’ Scotlandelectricity to have to place our camping contraptions. strong Norse and in detail – just ensure that this place is on to Wick and . Apparently, What’s more, in late July, when Gaelic influences your travelling agenda some time in your it’s a stunningly scenic journey; everywhere else was packed, the site was brief flight through life. unfortunately we saw next to nothing half empty. The following morning, after a map through the downpour. There was an To sum up, Dalchalm is a normal inspection, I’d spotted a cycling route along excellent funfair on in Thurso so, after earthly caravan site, with good facilities, Brora Glen, returning to the site via candyfloss and chips, we rattled and adjacent to the sea in an area offering a beautiful Dunrobin Glen, and thought this swayed back through the gloom to Brora, variety of different sights and activities to would fill the day admirably. However, my feeling quite content. keep you happy and busy. On planet wife had other ideas involving a train Our route to Grummore took us via Grummore things are very different, with journey to Thurso... John O’Groats, along the northern edge no facilities and all the entertainment The railway follows the coast, passing of the mainland, before turning inland to having to come from within; but there is sunbathing seals and deserted sandy bays, Strathnaver. On the coastal stretch, we everything here, and more, to keep the before turning inland and crossing the checked in at the Club’s Dunnet Bay site, a spirit inside happy and busy. n

INFORMATION ATTRACTIONS SITE n Brora to Wick/Thurso railway –call Full site details can be found on p258 (Grummore) and p259 0845 601 5929 or see scotrail.co.uk n (Dalchalm) of the Sites Directory & Handbook 2009/10 Dunrobin Castle,Brora – call 01408 633177 or see Grummore Dalchalm dunrobincastle.co.uk n Castle of Mey,John O’Groats – call 01847 851473 or see castleofmey.org.uk n Seatours – fast Rib coastal adventures. Call 01955 609200 or see caithness-seacoast.co.uk TOURISM n Old Pulteney Distillery,Brora – n John O’Groats TIC – call 01955 611373 call 01955 602371 or see n Thurso TIC – call 08452 255121 oldpulteney.com n Wick TIC – call 01955 602596 n Glenmorangie Distillery – n Useful websites – visithighlands.com and caithness.org call 01862 892477 or see glenmorangie.com CYCLING n John O’Groats passenger ferry n From Dalchalm: National Cycle Network Route 1, which runs to Orkney – call 01955 611353 from Aberdeen to John O’Groats, is the nearest to Dalchalm. or see jogferry.co.uk n From Grummore: Grummore is also close to National Cycle n Cocoa Mountain Chocolate Network Route 1. Head south for an on-road trip to Lairg or Factory,Durness – call north for a loch-side ride along Loch Loyal. See 01971 511233 or see sustrans.org.uk for more information on both routes. cocoamountain.co.uk Dunrobin Castle

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