NC500 glamping pods company offers free holiday breaks to Sutherland families
A 'glamping' company is offering families in Sutherland a unique opportunity to enjoy a five-star break on their sites at Achmelvich and Brora.
NC500 Pods co-founders Calum MacLeod and Alisdair Young have enlisted the help of schools in Brora and Kinlochbervie to select families from the local community who they believe deserve a break.
The site owners have made a total of 30 nights available for allocation.
Mr MacLeod said: "The pandemic has been tough for a lot of people and we wanted to do something to help families in the local community who are in need of a break away.
“We thought it would be a good idea to offer our pods free of charge for those who could benefit the most and I’m sure everyone is going to enjoy the chance to try something completely different."
Site manager Christine Maclean added: "I’m looking forward to welcoming the families to both Brora and Achmelvich. These are special places and I’m sure they will enjoy special times."
Welcoming the gesture, Graeme Smart, head teacher of North West Sutherland Schools, said: "We have a number of families in the area who haven’t had the opportunity to go on any form of holiday and it will be great for them to have the chance to now do that now thanks to the generosity of NC500 Pods.
"Achmelvich is a beautiful spot, they are going to really benefit from the break and will create memories to last a long time.
"NC500 Pods have been very accommodating about when the pods can be used and that has been very helpful, too. It’s a fabulous offer and I have to say I have never come across anything similar from any of the providers of other accommodation on the NC500.
"It’s the first I am aware of and I genuinely hope it’s not the last as there will be so many associated long-term benefits for those involved."
Dawn McKenzie, head teacher of Brora and Helmsdale primaries, said: "The offer to give some families a short break without charge is truly generous. Some families have no opportunity or means to have a break away and will be hugely appreciative of the chance."
