In the far northwestern corner of Scotland, Durness is a dramatic setting for adventure.
In the far northwest of Scotland, the Highland village of Durness, in Sutherland, offers a far-flung getaway. It’s surrounded by dramatic landscapes, including Smoo Cave, a spectacular sea cave, which can be explored by boat or foot. Hillwalkers and mountain climbers can take advantage of the steep cliffs and challenging trails, while the rocky coastline and pristine, white-sand beaches offer opportunities for more gentle strolls and wildlife-spotting. The village is a popular stop along the North Coast 500 long-distance driving route. If you decide to stay the night in the area, you can take your pick from wild camping in nature to parking in a well-equipped caravan park.
Perched on the cliff tops above Sango Sands Beach, Sango Sands Oasis Camping and Caravan site offers stunning views over the sea and the chance to spot whales, seals and dolphins. The site has pitches with electric hookup and non-electric pitches for motorhomes/caravans and tents and has plenty of facilities, including its own restaurant with great food and whiskies.
Twenty-nine kilometres southwest of Durness, community-run Kinlochbervie Loch Clash Campervan Stopover has a handful of spaces for campervans and motorhomes overlooking the loch. The pitches cannot be booked in advance and fees are paid at the store nearby. A 10-minute drive further north, Shegra Beach Honour Campsite is an informal site for tents and motorhomes offering an experience close to wild camping.
At 70 km away, it’s a bit of a distance from Durness but Skail is home to a particularly appealing glamping option. Wee Hoose is located on a working croft, just a few miles off the North Coast 500. Glamping pods are en-suite, include a Scottish breakfast, and have views of Ben Kilbreck mountain, which energetic visitors can summit.
For long days, and your best chance of good weather, visiting between May and August is your best bet. However, this is also the busiest tourist season along the North Coast 500 route and you may find that roads are busy and campsites fill up early. September or October is a good alternative as the biggest crowds will have gone and the hills will be covered in purple heather. Similarly, April is a good time to see blooming gorse flowers.