Day 3 - Dornoch

We woke at around 8am to a picture-perfect Highland morning. Looking out from the motorhome, the sea was glistening in the sunshine and the skies were a brilliant blue. After the winds of the previous evening, it felt like we’d been rewarded with one of those magical Scottish days that make every mile of the journey worthwhile.

Our first stop of the day was the enchanting Fairy Glen. Tucked away amongst woodland and winding paths, it felt like stepping into another world. The combination of dappled sunlight, flowing water and ancient trees created an almost mystical atmosphere. It was easy to see how the glen earned its name, and we spent a peaceful hour wandering through this beautiful natural setting before continuing north.

By early afternoon, around 1:30pm, we arrived at Dornoch Caravan Park. The welcome could not have been more Scottish if it tried. As we approached the entrance, a bagpiper was playing, the sound carrying across the site on the breeze. It genuinely felt like a scene from a film and immediately set the tone for what would become one of our favourite stops on the NC500.

After finding our pitch and getting settled, the kettle was soon on for a much-needed cup of tea. There is something wonderfully satisfying about arriving at a new campsite, getting everything organised and sitting down to relax with a brew while planning the rest of the day.

Refreshed, we wandered into Dornoch itself. The town is packed with character, with its attractive stone buildings, independent shops and welcoming atmosphere. It instantly felt like the sort of place where you could happily spend several days exploring.

One highlight was a visit to the impressive Dornoch Castle Hotel. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and steeped in history, it was the perfect setting to enjoy a couple of excellent Scottish ales. We spent a while soaking up the surroundings and imagining the centuries of stories those old castle walls must hold.

Of course, no motorhome trip is complete without a quick visit to the local Spar for a few essentials before continuing our exploration. Practical tasks dealt with, we headed to the Coach House Bar and Restaurant. In contrast to the grandeur of the castle hotel, the Coach House had the feel of a traditional locals’ pub — quaint, authentic and full of character. A couple more pints disappeared while we watched the football and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere.

Back at the campsite, it was time to settle in for the evening. While I put up the windbreak outside the motorhome, Mel worked her magic in the kitchen, creating a gorgeous orzo pasta dish. After a day spent exploring, it tasted absolutely divine and was yet another reminder that some of the best meals are often cooked right in the van.

As the evening sun began to soften, we headed down to Dornoch Beach. The vast stretch of sand backed by rolling dunes was absolutely stunning. This also gave me the perfect opportunity to test the drone for the first time during the trip. The aerial views were spectacular, and I managed to capture some fantastic footage for my YouTube channel, Looking Dan From Above. Seeing the coastline from above really highlighted just how beautiful this part of Scotland is.

Back at the motorhome, we opened a bottle of red wine and settled into a relaxed evening with some music playing quietly in the background. One of the unexpected highlights of the night came from chatting with our neighbour. He was travelling alone in a Volkswagen California that he had owned from new since 2012. At 86 years old, he told us he had come through several serious health scares and had nearly died on multiple occasions, yet he remained determined to continue travelling. Despite needing a Zimmer frame, his passion for adventure was completely undiminished. It was impossible not to be inspired by his outlook on life. Long may his travels continue.

As darkness slowly approached, the Scottish summer reminded us how far north we had come. It was still remarkably light close to 11pm. Eventually, we called it a night, reflecting on another incredible day of our NC500 adventure and looking forward to whatever the road would bring tomorrow.