UK caravan park 'just a short walk' from one of country's best beaches

As July reaches its end, the summer season is swiftly passing by, signalling that now's the time to snap up a family holiday before autumn makes an appearance. Scotland's staycationscene is bursting with potential, offering everything from serene woodland escapes to lively seaside adventures – the choice is yours.

Yet, for many, the charm of a classic caravan park remains unbeatable. Melvich Bay Caravan Park, a newcomer already receiving rave reviews, stands out as a prime destination. Nestled on the north coast of Sutherland and gracing the famed North Coast 500 route, this 25-acre haven for caravans and campervans boasts nearly 70 per cent occupancy, according to the team on the ground.

Angus Forbes, a local farmer and director who opened the park in March alongside two co-directors, said: "Demand from visitors has been exceptional. Customer satisfaction has been overwhelming and we're heading towards 66 per cent occupancy on the site."

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Forbes expressed surprise at the park's rapid success, saying: "We were only expecting 25 per cent occupancy in the first three months. We've even had an enquiry from a couple interested in coming up from the central belt to get married on our park-which is unexpected-but flattering!".

With sweeping views of Orkney and the North Atlantic Ocean, Melvich Bay Caravan Park is just "a short walk away" from the quaint village of Melvich and the idyllic sands of Melvich Beach, reports the Daily Record.

According to the Daily Record, Melvich Beach has recently been recognised amongst Scotland's finest coastal destinations by The Times, with the publication celebrating the bay as perfectly suited for motorhomes and describing it as a "wide curve of ochre sand".

The proprietors of Melvich Bay Caravan Park established their venture to tackle the lack of accommodation options for tourists exploring the increasingly sought-after North Coast 500 route, with aspirations to build their customer base through word-of-mouth and the allure of their scenic locations.

The facility boasts 30 pitches spanning 12 square metres each, catering to campervans, motorhomes and fellow travellers, with overnight rates set at £35 and including contemporary washroom facilities plus chemical waste disposal services.

Amongst satisfied guests is Kelvin Pitt, who penned a glowing Google review declaring the beachfront vista as "second to none" and stating he would "recommend this site all day long".

With visitor numbers exceeding projections, management are prioritising eco-friendly tourism practices, as evidenced by director Malcolm Morrison's correspondence to local authorities including Highland and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council, advocating for the Leave No Trace initiative - which encourages North Coast 500 tourists to remove their rubbish - to be "beefed-up".

Morrison penned: "The North Coast 500's Leave No Trace policy already makes it clear on its website that illegal disposal of waste is unacceptable, but it is the belief of my co-directors and I that a substantially beefed-up campaigning should be developed and broadcast widely throughout the region ahead of this year's busy tourist season."

He continued: "While thousands of annual visitors to our Highland communities have been an economic boon, the environmental disruption of litter and, worse, recklessly discarded biological waste, has been a rightful source of local complaint."

For further details, the Melvich Bay Caravan Park websiteoffers more information.