Thurso Bay Caravan and Camping Park, a holiday park located along Scotland’s North Coast 500 touring route, has permanently ceased operations, according to a notice published on its website. The closure comes ahead of business rate increases scheduled to take effect on April 1, following a national revaluation.
The park, situated in Thurso in the Scottish Highlands, had served as a stop for travelers completing the North Coast 500 (NC500), a 516-mile coastal driving route that typically takes five to seven days to complete.
The route attracts visitors traveling by car, motorcycle, motorhome, bicycle, caravan, and tent, and has become a major tourism draw for the region since its launch in 2015.
An update posted by the park’s operators states: “Due to external factors out with our control, we regret to say that we have now ceased operation.
“To all the guests we welcomed over the years, we count ourselves truly grateful to have provided a stop along your journey.
“Thank you all and we wish you all the best!”
According to the Scottish Sun, the family-run seaside park offered dozens of hardstanding and grass pitches for campervans, caravans, and tents. It held a 4.1-star rating on Google, with several hundred reviews at the time of closure.
The shutdown comes as many businesses in the Scottish Highlands prepare for higher non-domestic rates under a new revaluation effective April 1. The Scottish Government has introduced mitigation measures aimed at reducing the impact on certain sectors, but thousands of businesses are expected to see increased costs.
Reaction on social media highlighted broader concerns about tourism infrastructure and pricing pressures along the NC500 route. One commenter wrote: “Talk about a tourism own goal – what is there now to persuade visitors who use camping/caravan or motorhome to stay a few days in Thurso?”
Another added: “If it’s rates v return then it’s the result of those that want to do the NC500 but won’t pay for sites.” A third stated: “Campsites cannot compete with free. I have been saying this for years.”
For outdoor hospitality professionals, the closure underscores several operational pressures that may be relevant beyond Scotland. Rate revaluations, rising operating costs, and the impact of informal or free overnighting on occupancy levels are ongoing concerns in many drive-tourism markets.