Places to stay (9)
Ballater - Caravan Park
A nice site that’s halfway between Aberdeen and Braemar on the River Dee. Highly recommended. tel: 01399 755 727 email: bookings@ballatercaravan park.com
Braemar - Caravan Park
Owned and operated by the Invercauld Estate, owners of vast tracts of this part of Scotland. It is a popular site and is really well managed. It’s an easy walk or cycle into Braemar and with easy access to fabulous countryside. tel: 01339 741 373 email: info@braemarcaravanpark.co.uk
Rosehearty - Community Boat Club
A small site next to the sea on the outskirts of the village. Great location and great value at £10 per night plus extra for hook-up. tel: 07949 391 494 email: crawffypm@gmail.com
Tomintoul - The Bowling Club Camp Site
A small camper van and caravan park attached to the bowling club. Honesty box and a short walk to the village. tel: 01807 580459 email: desandmike10@yahoo.co.uk
Tomintoul - Glenlivet Mountain Bike Trail Centre
A fantastic mountain bike centre just outside Tomintoul where it is possible to spend the night. Toilets are available but no water or emptying. tel: 07963 217 793 email: info@bikeglenlivet.co.uk
Grantown-on-Spey - Caravan Park
Big but has everything you need in an area that can be a bit lacking in places to overnight. The town is lovely. tel: 01479 872 474 email: warden@caravanscotland.com
Findhorn - TFVCC Motorhome Stopover
A relatively new aire with emptying facilities. It’s adjacent to the beach and just a very short cycle or walk to the village shops and pubs. Findhorn isn’t on the NC250 route but it’s well worth a diversion. I loved it here – it’s like a civilised Padstow. Pay online and get a code for the barrier. Well done, Findhorn! tel: 07949 321 216 email: admin@findhornparking.com
Portsoy - Portsoy Links Caravan Park
An enviable position right on the beach on the east side of the lovely Portsoy village. It’s just a short walk into town and just a sniff from the ocean. Just lovely. tel: 01261 842 695 email: contact@portsoylinks.org
Stonehaven - Queen Elizabeth Park Club Campsite
A great site right on the seafront in Stonehaven and across the road from Stonehaven Pool. Great location and good facilities. Extra points for lots of solar power on the roof of the shower block. tel: 01569 760 088 email: stonehaven@camc.com
Attractions (12)
Glenshee Ski Centre.
Located on the NE250, giving this part of the route the name ‘The Snow Roads’. In winter they come alive but in summer they still offer the chance to grab a bacon butty and a cup of coffee at some of the loveliest locations in this part of the Cairngorms. The Glenshee chairlift is open on some days in the summer. Glenshee also offer overnights with EHU for motorhomes for £12 per night. Book online.
Lecht Ski Centre.
Located on the NE250, giving this part of the route the name ‘The Snow Roads’. In winter they come alive but in summer they still offer the chance to grab a bacon butty and a cup of coffee at some of the loveliest locations in this part of the Cairngorms.
Stonehaven - Open Air Pool.
The UK’s last surviving art-deco Olympic-sized pool, is a joy. At 50m (165ft) and with heated salt water, it’s silky smooth and fast (or at least it felt like it). It was raining when we went and we were among just six bathers taking the waters. We were outnumbered by lifeguards. Never felt safer.
Cullen - Cullen Skink , Rockpool Cafe.
A dish that’s a bit like a chowder but cooked with smoked haddock. It’s absolutely delicious and is served up at the Rockpool Cafe, a lovely little place on Cullen’s main drag.
Fraserburgh - The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
A fascinating place full of fresnels and knick-knacks relating to the history of Scottish lights, many of which were built by the Stevenson dynasty.
Glenlivet.
This might be the first of the illegal single malts to make it to the big time, and it might be mighty, and it might be costly, and their visitor experience might be slick and perhaps a wee bit contrived, but I loved it. And Lizzy drove the van to our overnight so I was able to sample it properly.
Gardenstown and Crovie.
This is a real gem of a place. We loved it for its beach and walks. There is also a place to overnight by the beach (if you dare take your van down the VERY steep road). A walk takes you to the tiny village of Crovie in the next bay to the east. Just heavenly.
Spey Bay - Scottish Dolphin Centre.
At the mouth of the River Spey, this a great site to sit and watch dolphins, seabirds and seals. Behind the centre is a wetland that supports all kinds of wildlife. The visitor centre has an exhibition and shop for all dolphin-related information and paraphernalia, while the cafe does nice cake.
Speyside - Distilleries.
Speyside has the highest concentration of distilleries anywhere, so it offers lots of choice for the connoisseur. Lots of famous names are here including Glenfiddich, Glen Moray and Ballindalloch.
Slains Castle.
Just outside the village of Cruden Bay (where you can overnight on the harbour). It was started in 1597 and was added to over time. Since 1925, when the roof was taken off to avoid paying taxes, it’s been left to rot on the cliff edge and is a little creepy. Bram Stoker stayed here when it was a viable dwelling and it is said to have been his inspiration for Dracula.
Balmoral.
Open to visitors when the royals aren’t in town, although the areas you can see are strictly limited. Motorhomes can overnight in the car park for £10.
Cullen.
Cullen itself is a haven for antiques and bric-a-brac, with lovely views through its railway arch. Splendid.