WHAT CAN YOU DO FROM HERE?

YOU CAN DO A LOT FROM HERE!

• Use us as a Stop-over on the 'North Coast 500' trip, or preferably stay for a few days and 'do' the eastern part of the NC500 from here, without having to pack and unpack your suitcase every day!
This is a very useful pause on the way to or from Orkney. Come late in the evening, stay the night and still make the first ferry in the morning, or come from the last ferry from Orkney and have a comfortable night before continuing your journey south.
Use us as a base for exploring the Far North (all of which is within an easy day trip of here)
• We are a Stop-over for cyclists and walkers on the Lands End to John o' Groats route (only 38 miles from John o' Groats).
• We're an excellent stop-over while walking the John o' Groats Trail from Inverness to John o' Groats. Stay a few nights and do the difficult local bit in easy stages, without having to carry your kit, with the help of the bus service.

Energetic Pursuits

• Hill Walking. Our local mountains Morven, Scaraben and Maiden Pap are easily accessed from here. http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/caithness.shtml
• Cliff and Sea-stack climbing (as long as you know what you're doing). There are challenging local climbs at Berridale, Ramscraigs, Latheronwheel and Mid Clyth. 
• Surfing. Some of the best surf in the country is in Caithness. Competitions throughout the year, and opportunities to learn. www.tempestsurf.co.uk

Bird Watching and Wildlife

Forsinard RSPB reserve has accompanied walks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Curlews nest next door, and larks can often be heard. Puffins nest on the local cliffs, as do countless other seabirds. Sea otters live nearby, and whales, dolphins, and seals have been seen from the beach. Up the Dunbeath Strath you may be lucky enough to see roe deer, and red deer further up into the hills. There is a Wild Encounters week organised by the Ranger Service. More information from www.highlandwildencounters.com

Archaeology 

Caithness has a wealth of archaeology, all within easy reach of here - the Dunbeath Broch (now much more accessible), Grey Cairns of Camster, Achavanich stone circle, Hill o' many stanes, and Yarrows trail to mention just a few. Lots to look at, and ponder over. Digs most summers. More information from www.caithnessarchaeology.org.uk
• Photography - fantastic cliff scenery, fascinating harbours and beautiful sunsets
• Fishing. Excellent river and loch fishing for wild brown trout available.
• And if all that seems a bit much, it's a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful location and the views over the Moray Firth.

 There are plenty of places to visit! For example:

Dunbeath Heritage Centre - only 1 mile away. Very interesting, and great help with ancestry tracing. Lots of information about local author Neil Gunn.
Also:
• Wick Heritage Centre - the largest museum north of Edinburgh
• Pulteneytown Distillery. www.oldpulteney.com
• Castle of Mey - the late Queen Mother's home in the North. www.castleofmey.org.uk
• Dunrobin Castle, Golspie www.highlandescape.com/dunrobin
• Timespan Heritage Centre, Helmsdale. www.timespan.org.uk
• Clan Gunn Museum, Latheron (Open June - September)
• Whaligoe Steps - 365 steps cut into the cliff face. Excellent cafe at the top of the steps for those who need a little something before or after attempting the steps.
• Waterlines, Lybster. Interesting exhibition about the herring fishing industry, and cafe
• Caithness Seacoast - fascinating sea tours round the east Caithness coastline. www.caithness-seacoast.co.uk

And further afield? Why not visit the Orkney Islands? 
We are 45 miles from Gills Bay for the one-hour crossing to St. Margaret's Hope. This gives excellent access to Mainland, South Ronaldsay, the Churchill Barriers, and many other notable sights. It is the fastest way to take your car or motorhome across the Pentland Firth. Information on www.pentlandferries.co.uk  
We are 38 miles from John o' Groats for the passenger ferry and day trips by coach to the most important attractions, the best way to get an introduction to the Orkney Islands in one day. Information on www.jogferry.co.uk 
We are 30 miles from Scrabster for the 90 minute crossing to Stromness. Information on  www.northlinkferries.co.uk 
Share by: