A newly launched caravan park on Scotland’s North Coast 500 route has experienced a strong opening season, with demand exceeding early forecasts.
Melvich Bay Caravan Park, which opened in March 2025 in Sutherland, has reached nearly 70% occupancy in its first three months of operation. Bookings are reportedly 50% above projected expectations, according to the park’s operators.
The 25-acre touring site is located within walking distance of Melvich Bay, a beach recently named in The Times – Best Beaches Guide 2025 as one of the top 50 beaches in the British Isles.
The guide highlighted its “wide curve of ochre sand.” From the park, guests also have panoramic views of the North Atlantic Ocean and Orkney Islands, features that appear to be contributing to the site’s early popularity.
Local farmer Angus Forbes co-founded the park with two other directors to meet the growing demand for facilities along the increasingly traveled North Coast 500 route.
The scenic route, which spans 500 miles across the northern coastline of Scotland, has seen a rise in international visitors, with guests from Germany, Australia, and beyond booking stays at the new park.
According to the operators, one enquiry even came from a couple interested in holding their wedding at the campsite.
In response to the rising visitor numbers, co-director Malcolm Morrison has written to local stakeholders and council officials to advocate for stronger messaging around sustainable tourism practices. In particular, he is calling for a more visible campaign to support the Leave No Trace initiative.
“The North Coast 500’s Leave No Trace policy already makes it clear on its website that illegal disposal of waste is unacceptable,” Morrison writes in the letter.
“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.”
According to Out & About Live, Melvich Bay Caravan Park currently offers 30 pitches suitable for motorhomes, campervans, and touring caravans.
All pitches include electric hook-up and access to water. On-site amenities feature a shower and toilet block, as well as facilities for wastewater and chemical disposal. The nightly rate is £35.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, Melvich Bay’s early success illustrates the continued strength of demand for well-serviced, scenic sites along high-traffic touring routes.
Its rapid uptake also highlights opportunities for rural landowners to diversify by developing accommodation offerings that align with the needs of motorhome and touring caravan users.
Moreover, the park’s attention to sustainable tourism underscores the importance of managing environmental impact as destination popularity grows.