A new caravan park has opened near Melvich in the Scottish Highlands, offering additional infrastructure for travelers on the well-trafficked North Coast 500 (NC500) route.
The Melvich Bay Caravan Park introduces 30 hardstanding pitches designed for campervans and motorhomes, featuring essential amenities such as electricity, water, and wastewater disposal.
According to a report by Out&About Live, the development aims to address increasing demand for quality overnight stops along one of Scotland’s most popular tourist routes.
The site, located between Thurso and Bettyhill along the A836, occupies a 25-acre plot with panoramic views of the North Atlantic Ocean and Orkney. Facilities include family bathrooms and strong mobile coverage, with each pitch measuring 12 square meters. Bookings are available online for £35 per night.
Director Angus Forbes, who also operates as a local farmer and contractor, said the project was initiated in response to gaps in existing infrastructure that have become apparent due to rising visitor numbers in the region.
“We recognised that logistical and hospitality support had a bit of catching up to do,” he said. “This project is about providing high-quality facilities in a stunning setting.”
The launch of Melvich Bay Caravan Park highlights an ongoing trend in rural tourism destinations where private investment is playing a key role in expanding visitor infrastructure.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, particularly park owners and developers, the project underscores opportunities to serve niche travel corridors that are growing in popularity.
With the NC500 continuing to draw both domestic and international road-trippers, the presence of professionally managed parks along the route supports better visitor flow management, reduces environmental impact from wild camping, and brings economic benefits to local communities.
Forbes’ dual role as both landowner and park operator also reflects a broader industry pattern, where diversification within agriculture and rural enterprise contributes to more resilient local economies while meeting tourism demand.
As road-based tourism continues to evolve, ventures like Melvich Bay Caravan Park demonstrate how strategic facility placement can serve both traveler needs and long-term regional development goals.