Pitch at Applecross Campsite

Applecross Campsite – Vanilla at Rest

After rolling down into Applecross village, I steered Vanilla into the campsite and felt that quiet relief of knowing the drive was done for the day. The site itself is spread across a grassy slope, giving almost every pitch a view across the bay. Vanilla looked quite at home parked up, nose pointed towards the water like she was admiring the scenery herself.

The facilities are spot on – nothing fancy, just clean showers, a good washing-up area, and enough space to breathe. What makes it though is the setting. Step out the side door and there’s that sweeping view over the Inner Sound to Raasay and Skye. The sea breeze has a bite to it, but it carries that unmistakable smell of salt and kelp that lets you know you’re properly on the west coast now.

The Applecross Inn was shut today, which was a bit of a shame, but the village still has a quiet charm even without the pub. Just wandering down the lane, hearing the gulls and the odd clatter from a fishing boat, you get a sense of how far removed this place is from the usual rush of life.

Tonight Vanilla will sit under the stars while I plan tomorrow’s early run at the Bealach na Bà. This is the perfect staging post before tackling one of Scotland’s most famous roads – calm, scenic, and full of that “edge of the world” feeling.Read more