Caithness Volkswagen campervan to the rescue

A Caithness-based campervan owner came to the rescue of a couple whose holiday came to an abrupt halt after their own vehicle was crushed by a fallen tree at Golspie.

Donna Mullen was alerted to the holidaymakers plight after her husband Brian noticed an appeal on a Volkswagen online forum.

Stefan Baranowski and Alice Radford, from Sandy, Bedfordshire, had been touring the Highlands in their newly converted van when the incident happened. They had left their vehicle parked in a car park at Golspie on September 22, and came back to discover the vehicle had been flattened.

Mr Baranowski said: "The spirit and kindness of strangers was incredibly heartwarming to both myself and my partner. The Scottish hospitality and campervan community came together in our time of need and made our Highlands adventure one we will never forget."

Mrs Mullen and her husband are the new owners of Achvarasdal House, Reay, which they are currently renovating and they plan to run a bed and breakfast business from the former local care home.

Mrs Mullen, a paramedic, explained that she was a Volkswagen fan and had two campervans which she had just started to rent out in June this year.

"I got in touch with the lady who had put the message out on behalf of Stefan and Alice," she said. "I told then they were welcome to take my campervan so they could continue their holiday."

Mrs Mullen drove down to Golspie and helped the couple empty their own van. "I did feel for them, just half an hour prior to the branch falling they were sat in there having their lunch," she commented.

"He said it was just one branch – I can't believe the damage it did, they were very fortunate. We were just happy to help somebody in their hour of need. I just think it is rewarding if you can help somebody."

The holidaymakers stopped off at Achvarasdal where they needed to store belongings from their damaged van. They had already cancelled some of the camp sites they had booked on their journey around the NC500, but were able to make new arrangements.

Mrs Mullen kept in touch with the couple who told her that all the way around the trip they were telling people what happened to them and saying just how marvellous everyone had been.

A few days into the journey Mr Baranowski contacted Mrs Mullen to see if she would consider selling the campervan which she agreed to.

Mrs Mullen added that the couple still seemed to be overwhelmed by the kindness they had been shown by people. She has travelled many places herself but finds Scotland unique. "Ever since I came here with my partner people have been fantastic," she said.

Mr and Mrs Mullen bought Achvarasdal House last year but renovations were disrupted by Covid-19. They hope to move into the house by Christmas. While the work at the former nursing home is being carried out they have been living in Castletown.

At the moment Mrs Mullen's work as a paramedic is still based in Lancashire, where she originally comes from, which means regular journeys south for her.

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