Altnaharra and caravans
Hi guys ,anyone been up to Altnaharra with a Caravan ,if so what’s it like ? What is the entry road like ? Are the pitches level .Just digging for info .Thinking of using it as a base to travel some of the 500 in the car .
Brian & Jo
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Both roads in/out are single track with passing places. The A road has a better class of passing place than the B😀
The site is on the Loch side and the ground is quite rough in places. It's beautiful but not your typical CAMC site by any means.
Agree with Brue that its not the best site for what you have in mind.
Check out the Dunnet Bay club site and the commercial sites at Sango Sands Durness, Scourie and Ardmair Point. We've seen caravans on those sites so it's definitely doable.
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As an alternative to the Sango Sands site TW mentions. The CL at Laid on the side of Loch Eriboll was good, although it was several years ago. The view won't have changed however, photo is from the van looking across Eriboll towards Ben Hope. Times are a changing though, probably due to the popularity of the 500, I notice they now want a deposit. We have been trying to get to Altnahara for years, circumstances have always conspired against us. This year it was Covid. We've already booked for next May, so fingers crossed.🤞
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We have visited the site, back in 2005 I think, after a week on Orkney. The roads were OK and as TW described. We had slightly smaller van then than the T/A we have now. The inland area is interesting.
We have also used Dunnet Bay, Sango Sands and Scourie, all fine sites. The A roads are certainly a bit wider, with more frequent passing places.
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We were there in 2013, when it was known by it's actual local name of Grummore...this name remembers the local area and the loss of it's inhabitants during the Highland Clearences. If you're interested in history it has plenty including an ancient broch alongside the site. I walked up the back fields to look at the remains of the crofting houses, it is very atmospheric but it's also a long way from shops etc so stock up with food and fuel.
Typical highland weather on my pics!
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A couple of years ago we did the 500 by staying a couple of days near inverness and then moving to altneharra for a couple of weeks.The single track roads were no problem.....if you meet a log lorry he will have backed up to a passing place before you can get into reverse gear!Biggest problem was bycicles when you are towing!(very few will stop to let you safely pass!Some parts of the site are open to the road but it is quiet.I had no problem with levelling.There was no telephone or tv signal as I recall even my 3 legs could not find a satelite!Beautiful view over the loch(in fine weather!)midges in the season (little hint...do not buy your head net in Inverness .....tourist prices!!!)By touring with the car on days out you can take in more of the scenery and just do a section at at a time.OK you will be going over old ground each day but you see more the second time!
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hi guys and thanks for the replies,very helpful indeed.At the moment it’s looking like we will hopefully take 2wks (not easy when you have your own business) and spend the first 5 days at Altnaharra and the next 5 days at Kinlochewe site to enable us to explore both of those areas .We want to travel to Applecross via the Bealach-na-Ba pass when stay at Kinlochewe.We just have to decide at what time of year is best now?
Brian & Jo
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B and J If you You Tube it,you will find a blogger called Bob Earnshaw (or similar) Watch his video of the site approach and the actual site.It certainly is not regimented like normal Club Sites.But looks amazing with nice weather.
It certainly on my bucket list.
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Grand site, we've been twice with a decent sized caravan. Would definitely go earlier than later, mid May rather than mid June, when the midges appear.
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Brues comment about shops being a long way away -- well if you consider 45 mile round trip to get a Sunday paper, then yes it is a goodly drive
to Lairg about 22 each way !! and something similar up to the shops at Bettyhill on the North coast road.Just one word of warning about roads and signs tho' ~~ there is an unnumbered road leading up to Hope from the Altnahara junction and it normally has an " Unsuitable for Caravans " sign might I suggest you believe it -- think twice unless you have a serious 4x4 and/or a high powered winch !!
I did it in my VW camper awhile back and it was seriously rough work .
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Just re-read your post B&J and again I must comment on Signs
and roads.Check, if you can on the condition of the road to Bealach Na Ba before you get there 'co it was in pretty poor condition the latest time I used it. the one thing I do recommend though is a photo or six of the signs at the Kishorn approach !! " Not advised for inexperienced drivers etc etc "
Who ever said those staid old Scots do not have a sense of humour
.p.s. saw B N B on TV a couple of winters back, when the snow-plough got stuck & had to get a serious digger to come & get him free !
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Been to Altnaharra with caravan a few years ago. Wonderful if isolated site. No problems towing to site - just take it easy. Not a lot on the road. Can get very windy, depending on your position it can do nasty things to your awning! (our went the first night - a pole broke - but it was a light weight one and we didnt realise how windy it was going to get. Lots of mozzies! But it was school summer holidays!
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