The
northern coast offers a rich variety of scenery, from tall
storm-swept cliffs to gentle sandy bays. The interior offers
equally dramatic contrasts between low-lying windswept bogs
and dramatic mountain peaks. Fishing boats shelter in the
area's many harbours. Numerous nature reserves protect the
moorland's rich plant and animal life, with sea birds to
the fore.
Armadale
Hamlet
of crofters' cottages heated in winter by peat fires.
Set in Armadale Bay with fine view of sandy beach and
sweep of shallow water. Main road leads over two burns,
Allt Beag and Armadale, both with twin stone bridges,
old and new.
Auckengill
John
Nicholson, 19th-century antiquarian, extensively studied
this region's ancient remains. Old school house opposite
his home now a museum of region's early human history,
a useful starting point for visiting brochs and other
area sites.
Balnakeil
Old
Ministry of Defence early warning station is unlikely
setting for craft centre; visitors can watch various crafts,
ranging from book-binding and weaving to jewellery and
candle-making. The ruined church of 1619 has monument
to Celtic bard Rob Donn.
Bettyhill
Crofting
centre and resort above Torrisdale Bay. To north is Farr
Bay, where precious stones can be found. Salmon fishing
in River Naver and trout in Loch Naver, 15 miles inland.
Church dating from 18th century houses museum of local
history. Outside museum is Farr Stone, an early Christian
Celtic stone.
Canisbay
Village
with 19th-century church. Inside church is 1558 memorial
to Jan de Groot, who started ferry service to Orkney in
1496. When residing in nearby Castle of Mey, the Queen
Mother attends ser-vices at Canisbay Church.
Cape
Wrath
Red-rock
headland rising 360ft from sea, topped by 7Oft light-house.
The Parbh -- 100 square miles of peat-bog, heather, scrub
and rock -- lies inland. Only link to cape from outside
world is ferry across Kyle of Durness. Cleit Dhubh, or
'Black Cliff, rises 850ft from sea south-east of cape.
Castletown
Well-ordered
village built for men working in nearby quarries. Castletown's
stone has paved the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh;
stone was sent out from neighbouring harbour of Castlehill--also
built of this stone.
Dounreay
Experimental
nuclear power station's 135ft steel dome dominates flat
coastal area. It was
world's first fast reactor to provide power for public
use. Oounreay Exhibition tells story of nuclear power
and has guided tours.
Dunbeath
Harbour is home to small fishing fleet. Dunbeath Castle
still lived in but closed to public. Lhaidhay Caithness
Croft Museum displays typical 18th-century complex with
house, byre and stable all under one roof. Old village
school houses heritage centre.
Duncansby
Head
Far
north-eastern tip of mainland where lighthouse stands
high above entrance to Pentland Firth.
Dunnet
Head
Most
northerly point of British mainland. Viewing platform
pro-vides 3600 view over 300ft cliffs, taking in Cape
Wrath and Duncansby. Lighthouse stands below viewpoint,
its walls battered by stones thrown up by Pentland Firth
in rough weather.
Durness
Crofting
village spread out along coast. Along shore is three-chambered
Smoo Cave. Its main chamber, over 200ft deep and 110ft
wide, is accessible by foot. Allt Smoo burn flows from
moor-land and drops 80ft into deep pool inside second
cavern.
Grey
Cairns of Camster
Well-preserved
burial chambers 2 miles north of Camster date from New
Stone Age, beginning 6,000 years ago. Visitors can crawl
down passage into chambers. Long cairn is nearly 200ft.
Legless skeletons found in round cairn.
Halkirk
Village
based on local quarries that mined stone for street paving.
The Fossil Centre at Mybster has displays on local flagstone
industry.
Handa
Island Nature Reserve
Steep
cliffs on three sides of island packed with sea birds
in summer.
Moorland interior is also home to variety of birds, from
skuas to golden plovers.
Harrow
Area's
best-known building is Castle of Mey, the Queen Mother's
summer residence. Its gardens open occasionally in summer.
Castle Arms Hotel, Mey, has royal photographs display.
Quarries shipped flagstones from harbour a century ago.
Hill
o' Many Stanes
Bronze
Age stone formation on hillock. Rows of small stones form
a fan-like formation possibly for astronomical purposes.
Invernaver
Nature
reserve with notable dwarf shrubs. Skelpick long barrow
is 200ft long with two burial chambers blocked by massive
capstones. Remains of Iron Age settlement with tower stand
on rocky slope.
John
o'Groats
Claims
to be mainland Britain's most northerly village, named
after founder of ferry service to Orkney in 1496, Jan
de Groot. Water mill established 1750 operates under original
family.
Keiss
Harbour
is important crab and lobster centre. Keiss Castle, 16th
century, stands near private 18th-century castle. Three-mile
stretch of sand on Sinclair's Bay lies south.
Kinlochbervie
Area's
busiest fishing port has double harbour. Nearby Blairmore
starts trail to Sandwood Bay.
Kylestrome
Village
at meeting point of three lochs, Kylesku is across water.
Boat trip up Loch Glencoul gives views of Britain's highest
water-fall, 650ft Eas a Chual Aluinn.
Lybster
Active
fishing community; broad street runs down to harbour with
octagonal lighthouse at its entrance. Church has finely
carved Celtic cross.
Noss
Head
Rocky
point north of Wick is crowned by two ruins. Castle Girnigoe,
15th century, has keep on cliff edge. Castle Sinclair
dates from 17th century.
Sandside
Bay
Broad
bay, with harbour of Fresgue to one side and village of
Reay sheltering behind dunes. Small whitewashed church
of 1740 has gallery for laird and family.
Sandwood
Bay
Pink,
pale sand and grassy dunes, usually deserted except for
sea birds and, legend has it, mermaids. Beach lies 4 miles
north of Blairmore, accessible by rough track. Swimming
not advised.
Scrabster
Begun
as port for loading flagstones, town is now main ferry
port for Orkney. Path leads up past lighthouse to cliffs
of Holborn Head. Sailing club, sea angling.
Skirza
Iron
Age broch stands on a spur thrusting out from cliffs.
Its hollow walls are 14ft thick and enclose an interior
22ft across.
Thurso
Britain's
most northerly mainland town was laid out as Georgian
'new town' by Sir John Sinclair. Ruined Church of St Peter
dates back to 13th century. Thurso Castle, largely rebuilt,
dates from 17th century. Heritage museum.
Tongue
Village
has gabled church, built 1680. Its boxed wooden gallery
was once used by Mackay clan. Angling in Loch Loyal, 4
miles south. Ruined 14th-century Cais-teal Bharraich,
built on Viking lookout spot.
Wick
Ancient
settlement, Vikings once sheltered here. Name comes from
Norse Vik, 'bay'. Town plan is medieval, but buildings
are mostly 18th century. Visitors can watch handmade glass
being blown at Caithness Glass.
