We converted an ambulance into a holiday home – now we want to do the NC500

A SAVVY couple spent just £2,000 converting an old ambulance into a holiday home – and now they want to do Scotland’s North Coast 500.

Crafty Mark Bonito, 42 and Sophie Why, 36, from Surrey, converted the emergency vehicle on a cheap budget to travel around the UK and Europe.

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They revealed that they bought the ambulance for £5,000 before giving it a makeover in new book VanLifers: Beautiful Conversions for Life on the Road.

The vehicle still had life-saving emergency kits and a “body bag” cupboard inside when they first snapped it up.

The couple are planning to drive around Wales next year, but revealed doing Scotland’s NC500 trail is at the top of their bucket list.

Sophie revealed she wasn’t initially keen on the ambulance – but it won her around before long.

She told Sun Online Travel: “When Mark and I first met, he had a standard van which others have.

“However, we have five kids between us from previous relationships meaning dates were difficult, so he would turn up in his van with a dinner.

“He loves to cook as he is half-Italian but couldn’t stand up to cook in the van, so wanted something bigger.

“A lot of people’s first reaction was that it was gross – why would you want to sleep in an ambulance?

“But then we thought about it as how many lives had been saved in her, which was a better way of looking at it.”

Scotland’s NC500 isn’t safe for electric car drivers – especially if you’re a woman

The couple revealed they nearly sold the van last year when Mark fell ill and was forced to live in it alone.

But they ended up hanging onto it – meaning they could still pursue their dream of seeing Scotland’s best sights.

And if they pay a visit, they’ll need to make sure to visit an incredible bakery on the NC500 trail with quirky huts and gin tours.

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