Praise for locals who rallied round to help after couple's campervan was wrecked by a falling tree while parked in Golspie
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The owner of a campervan which was wrecked after the limb of a tree fell on it at a Golspie beauty spot, has said the nightmare experience turned into a heartwarming one after local people rallied round to help.
Stefan Baranowski and his partner Alice Radford, from Sandy Bedfordshire, were given assistance to extract the vehicle, accommodation in the village and the loan of another campervan.
He said: “It was the best of Scottish hospitality - amazing and humbling. People were incredible. The spirit and kindness of strangers was heartwarming.”
The couple set off from Inverness to tour NC500 on Tuesday September 22, in their VW campervan which they only purchased in February and had spent lockdown completely refitting the interior.
They called in at Black Isle Brewery, the Falls of Shin and Loch Fleet before parking up at the Big Burn car park in Golspie.
“When we got there the car park was absolutely packed and there was only one spot remaining,” said Mr Baranowski, (28), who works as a marketing assistant with Sound Technology and also runs his own record label Insight Music. His partner is a graphic designer and keen photographer.
“We spent an hour in the woods and got to the top of the walk. We were caught up by two chaps on a bike who asked us what vehicle we were in because a branch had fallen on a white van.
“We said ‘Oh No!’ and started walking back. On the way, we met another chap who said: ‘Are you the owner of the VW? It is absolutely wrecked'.”
“We started running back to the car park and when we got there and saw it, we were absolutely shocked I almost fell to my knees. A branch almost three times as long as the van - it must have been 20 metres - had smashed all the windows and the van was being held up by the bed frame. It was devastating.”
The couple realised they had had a narrow escape - they had eaten lunch inside the vehicle at their previous stop and if it had happened at that point, they would have been seriously injured if not killed.
East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Richard Gale was called to the scene and he contacted the Sutherland Estates factor, who organised forestry workers to remove the tree branch - a crane was needed to lift it off the van.
He also arranged with the factor for the couple to stay at an unoccupied holiday home Porter’s Lodge, at the exit to Dunrobin Castle.
Cllr Gale said it had been a shock to see the crushed campervan.
“I was so relieved to find out that there had been no one in it at the time,” he said. “The young couple were obviously very upset and trying to sort things out with their insurance.”
He added: “I have to say that the estate factor and everyone else involved couldn’t have been more helpful and it was great to see the community coming together to help this young couple.”
Mr Baranowski and Miss Radford stayed at Porter’s Lodge while they tried to arrange alternative transport - which proved impossible with no hire cars or campervans available. After posting on the NC500 forum, they received numerous offers of help including one of free accommodation and food from Thurso Bay Caravan and Camping Park.
And, on hearing of their plight Good Samaritan Donna Mullen of Reay, offered her campervan, driving to Golspie to pick up the couple, who then spent six nights on the tourism route.
On returning the van, Mr Baraowski discovered it was for sale, bought it and returned home in it.
All in all, the couple said it was Highland adventure that they would never forget.
