Lochinver Leisure Centre

The leisure centre in Lochinver is a proper modern facility tucked into the Highland landscape, offering pools, a gym, and sports halls - the sort of place locals actually use rather than just tourists passing through. If you're staying at Clachtoll Beach Campsite, it's only a short drive away, which makes it useful on one of those drizzly Scottish days when outdoor walking holds no appeal.

The indoor pool is the main draw for families with younger kids. It's clean, well-maintained, and gives them somewhere to burn off energy without getting soaked by Highland rain. Adults can use the gym facilities or attend classes if you fancy it. The sports halls occasionally host badminton or other activities, though it's worth ringing ahead to see what's on during your visit.

It's not going to be the highlight of your park holiday - nobody comes to Sutherland specifically for a leisure centre - but it's genuinely handy as a backup plan. Allow an hour or two if you're just doing the pool with kids. The staff are friendly and local, which makes a difference.

If you're based nearby for more than a few days and the weather turns sketchy, this beats sitting in your caravan. Otherwise, you'd do better spending your time at Clachtoll itself or walking one of the cracking coastal paths around Lochinver.