Summer holiday started with an early departure heading north along the A9 all the way to the north coast.

It was easy going all the way to Inverness. Stopped at the tourist information just north of the bridge to get a bite to eat and have a rest. For this trip I decided to give the usual mix of music a miss and listen to a talking book thus I was listening to Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale.

North of Inverness, the A9 isn’t as good a road and there were a few nasty hills that had to be taken in second gear with disturbing signs like “Test Brakes Now”.

But a right turn at Thurso brought me to the campsite at Dunnet Bay. And what a fantastic location it is. Almost right on the bay with a few steps to a sweeping golden beach. The site itself is grass pitches and quite cramped for a Caravan Club site. Quite relaxed as well, the wardens were not on duty and I was instructed by the notice just to pick a pitch and come back when they opened.

Dunnet Bay CC Site

Dunnet Bay CC Site

Dunnet Bay

Dunnet Bay

The second day at Dunnet bay was scorching hot. The showers were the usual Caravan club standard with the added amusement of only one millimetre travel between boiling and freezing.

The plan was to head to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in mainland Britain. Thus clad in suntan oil, I headed off on the ten mile round trip. The walk was rather nice and the head itself was worth it. Great views over the Pentland Firth and a light house and abandoned radar station to look at. Was really impressed when a coach turned up having made it along the narrow road.

On The Way to Dunnet Head

On The Way to Dunnet Head

On The Way to Dunnet Head

On The Way to Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head

Back at the van I hit the showers for the second time that day and sat and read in the sun.

The third and last day an Dunnet head was overcast and cooler than before. Broke camp early and hit the road about 8am for the ferry to Orkney and the second part of the holiday.