Arriving at Scrabster you’ll find plenty to keep yourself busy and it’s well worth joining one of the organised tours availble. If you prefer to organise your visit yourself take a look at the wealth of things to do whether active or adventure, historical or cultural or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.
BettyhillBettyhill is said to take its name from the countess of Sutherland who created the village to accommodate evicted tenants. it occupies the peninsula between the estuary of the river Naver and Farr Bay. For many years there was a large Salmon netting fishery at Navermouth. Today only an icehouse, pier, and ruined buildings remain.
Caithness HorizonsHere, the exciting story of mankind’s past and present interaction with the environment of North East Scotland, the geology, archaeology, history and ecology of the area is revealed. A series of themed rooms uncover the stories and people of Caithness’s past. Caithness Horizons offers a truly remarkable journey delving into all that Caithness has to [...]
Castle of MeyTHE CASTLE OF MEY was originally built between 1566 and 1572 by George Sinclair, Earl of Caithness. It was renamed Barrogill Castle in the 18th century and extensive additions were made in the 19th century. By the early 1950s it had fallen into severe disrepair. In 1952, during a visit to friends after the death [...]
Castle Sinclair GirnigoeCASTLE SINCLAIR GIRNIGOE is located 900m west of Noss Head lighthouse, 5 miles from Wick by road. It is spectacularly sited atop 20m cliffs on a promontory. It is protected on the landward side by a large geo (ON gja, narrow sea inlet). Recent archaeological investigations have shown that it was built as one castle [...]
Dunbeath Harbour and Heritage CentreDUNBEATH (G Dun Beithe, Fort of the Birches) is named after the broch at the confluence of Dunbeath Water and the Burn of Houstry. The surrounding woodland is indeed mostly knarled old Birches, covered in interesting mosses and lichens. Dunbeath Harbour developed from the 1790s, when Herring fishing started here. Over 80 families were cleared [...]
Duncansby HeadDUNCANSBY HEAD (ON Dungal’s Boer, Dungal’s Estate) is called Veruvium Promantarium, or Clear-cut Cape on Ptolemy’s map, which well describes it. Many people drive to the car park, take a look and leave, which is a pity as the coastal walk south from the lighthouse is a delight which should not be missed. To the [...]
Dunnet Bay & CastlehillDUNNET BAY has a fine 2 mile stretch of sand, backed by high dunes and extensive links. When the sea is up, massive waves break here which is attractive to surfers. The beach is popular for walking, sand yachting and other pursuits. Dunnet ranger Visitor centre, at the caravan site, has displays about the various [...]
Dunnet Head & Mary Ann’s CottageDUNNET HEAD(127m) is the most northerly point in mainland Britain. The lighthouse was built in 1831 by robert Stevenson. and stands atop the imposing 90m cliffs of Easter Head. The viewpoint offers fine vistas in all directions over the Pentland Firth to Orkney and Stroma. In summer it is home to breeding Puffins, Guillemots, razorbills, [...]
Dunrobin CastleDUNROBIN CASTLE (G Dunrobin, Robin’s Fort) stands on a bluff just north of Golspie. It has an enchanting fairytale appearance when seen from afar. Closer inspection reveals a huge multiperiod mansion house. The oldest part of the building is a 14th century keep, but it is probably built on the site of a Norse fort, [...]
DurnessDurness is the most remote and least populated parish in the UK, with only 2.4 people per square mile. Despite this it has a vibrant community and a long history. Most of the coastline is cliffs, reaching 190m at clo Mor. The major inlets of the Kyle of Durness and Loch Eriboll are different in character. [...]
Forsinard RSPB ReserveForsinard RSPB Reserve is open at all times. It has a flagstone trail which winds through the moor past lochans and peat bog. The Visitor centre in the railway station is open from April to October and has audiovisuals and live nest watch displays. Guided walks are regularly available. There are many roadside viewing sites. [...]
Grey Cairns of CamsterThe Grey Cairns of Camster (ND260440) are 5 miles north of Lybster. They are among the best preserved Neolithic chambered cairns in Britain. Both have intact chambers and passages with rooflights so that no torches are needed. They should not be missed and are accessed from the road by boardwalks. Camster Round is about 20m [...]
HelmsdaleHelmsdale (ON Hjalmundur’s Dale) is a pretty little village at the Mouth of the river Helmsdale. For centuries it was an isolated salmon fishing and curing station. In 1814 building of a new planned village and harbour was commenced by the Sutherland Estate to accommodate some of the families who had been displaced. The idea [...]
Hill o’Many StanesHill o’Many Stanes, Mid clyth (ND295384) about 3 miles north of Lybster is the best-preserved of a type of stone setting only seen in caithness and Sutherland. Over 200 stones are arranged in 22 or more rows on the south side of a hill. They run north to south in a fan shape with their [...]
John o’GroatsJohn o’Groats is 876 miles from Lands End, the furthest distance apart of any two places on the UK mainland. Ever since the American Elihu Buritt completed the walk in 1865 there have been all manner of record breaking and charity fund raising traverses of Britain. Learn more at our John o’Groats to Lands End [...]
LatheronLatheron (ON Hlithtun, cultivated slopes) is at the south end of the cassiemyre road, where the A99 and the A9 meet. in former times a castle stood here, perhaps of Norse origin. By traditionthere was a monastic site near the old church. Pictish symbol stones have been found in the area suggesting that there may [...]
LatheronwheelLatheronwheel (ON Vathill, ford) was planned by the laird, Captain Dunbar as another Herring harbour. The hotel was the first building and is universally known as “The Blends” since the 1890s when the then proprietor did his own whisky blending. Oncoming tenants were allocated 2 acres of ground and the right to fish from the [...]
LybsterLybster (ON Hlith Bolstadir, Slope Farm) developed as a Herring station in the 19th century. The local Sinclair landowners built a wooden pier in 1810 and over the next 80 years harbour improvements continued. in 1808 there were 8 boats but by 1838 Lybster had 101 boats working from the harbour and was the third [...]
MelvichMelvich lies on the west side of the estuary of the Halladale river. This fertile crofting township includes a large areaof machair links. In former times Salmon were netted in large numbers with nets set across the rivermouth and in the bay. Bighouse (ON Bygdh hus, Village House) on the east shore dates from the [...]
ScrabsterScrabster (ONSkara Bolstadir, Steading on the Edge) nestles in the shelter of Holborn Head on the west side of Thurso Bay. It was formerly a small fishing village as shown by the icehouse, now The captain’s Galley restaurant. Scrabster Harbour Trust was established in 1841 and, by 1855, a regular steamship ferry service to Stromness [...]
Smoo CaveSmoo Cave is located at the eastern edge of the village of Durness, on Scotland’s most northerly coastline. It is a dramatic location and on the only primary road in the area, the A838 Durness to Tongue. A trip to Smoo Cave has to be included in any stay in Durness. Set into limestone cliffs, [...]
StrathnaverSTRATHNAVER The Province of Strathnaver originally stretched from Kylesku to Caithness. There is evidence of long settlement here from ancient times with Neolithic chambered cairns, stone circles, Bronze Age cist burials and Iron Age brochs. A mixture of Gaelic and Norse placenames as well as many ruined farmsteads and settlements evoke more recent times. The [...]
The Clan Gunn CentreThe Clan Gunn Centre is situated in Latheron Old Parish church which dates from 1734. it tells the story of the clan from Norse times against the background of the history of the north of Scotland. It also contains a substantial clan archive and shop.
ThursoThurso (ON Thors or Thiorrs A, Thor’s or Bull river) was already an important settlement in Norse times as it is mentioned frequently in the Orkneyinga Saga. Both the Earl and the Bishop had castles here. The site of the former keep is unknown, but it is said to have been slighted by King William [...]
WickWick (ON Vik, Bay) The town developed along the north bank of the Wick river, which is tidal until well upstream of the present Bridge Street. This would have afforded Vikings, Picts and earlier navigators a safe haven on a hard coast. The earliest harbour would have consisted of small jetties and wharfs along the [...]
Wick Heritage CentreWick Heritage Museum was opened by the Wick Society in 1981. Situated in Bank row, it has a huge variety of interesting displays, which include a 1920s dwelling house, with rooms typical of the period, a herring curing yard and a cooperage. Many artifacts, documents and photographs pertaining to Wick and caithness can be viewed. [...]
Yarrows Archaeology TrailYarrows Archaeology Trail is signposted off the A99 near Thrumster. From the car park (ND306435) a circular walk takes in a variety of interesting sites spanning at least 3,000 years. There are three long and two round Neolithic chambered cairns. All are in a ruinous state, but the layout can still be discerned. To the [...]
