Our latest expedition was going to be a little special. For starters we were heading north, destination Thurso a remote town on Scotland’s north coast, excited by tales of giant surf and beautiful scenery, we started to load up our vehicle, but the dodgy old van had been replaced by a brand new Volvo XC90 sports utility vehicle, the roof rack easily accommodated our quiver of boards and even Hell Man Paddington’s old 10 foot longboard fitted with ease. The 500 mile, 10 hour drive was going to be pure pleasure.

The surf forecast was not looking the best but the sun was shining as we headed up the A1 for what seemed like an eternity. The electronic climate control was engaged, gear box in automatic mode and cruise control set. The night of driving passed quickly and comfortably and on arrival at our destination all 5 rear seats folded easily away to convert our Volvo into a sound camper van sleeping the three us with ease.

We all awoke at the crack of dawn with the anticipation of surfing this beautiful coast line. Armed with maps and bucket loads of advice from previous travellers up north we headed off in search of some surf. Thurso needs a big swell to work, but if its flat then just head round the corner to Brims Ness and it picks up any swell going, you’ll always get a wave there or so we had been told on many an occasion. We headed to Brims Ness…..the walk to the waters edge consisted of a walk across a field, our walk turned in to a sprint as we got chased through the field by a heard of bulls, it was like a scene from a Spanish festival! Our spirits sank when we saw the calmest sea ever created.

We had heard … ‘Some times if the swells are coming from the west it will miss the north coast, just head over to the west coast it will be classic’. Off we set. This was going to test the Volvos off road ability! Sandwood bay was our destination on the North West tip of Scotland. It wasn’t long until the road turned into a dirt track but the XC90 took it all in its stride with its traction control and load compensating suspension. Soon the track came to an end and it was the start of a 4.5 mile track (in flip flops) to get to the beach. Excitedly we set off, on our last chance of finding some surf. The scenery was amazing, we past peat bogs, lochs and sand dunes on the way. Again upon arrival at the beach there was not a wave to be seen.

It was starting to look like the thrills of the highland drinking establishments was our only option to drown our sorrows! We headed back to Thurso for an evening out on the town which would conclude at the only night club within a hundred miles ‘Skinandi's’. The stories we had been told about this place were just as wild as the stories we’d heard about the surf. We hoped something about Thurso lives up to its reputation!

It was hangovers all round on Sunday morning. The night club was wild (nearly as wild as some of the locals we had drunkenly befriended and unintentionally offended throughout the night). Again the surf was flat, we agreed to head home, praying the next time we visit the Gaelic surf gods will be shinning upon us.

The Volvo XC90 was the perfect car for a surf trip, plenty of room, enough power to get us there on time and in comfort! It felt as if it was designed to help you drive, to make journeys relaxed and a pleasure! 1500 miles, 48 hours, there will be surf next time.

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