Caithness, Sutherland & Ross
This is the northernmost region of mainland Scotland where the mountains look weary and seem to fold in on themselves. The land is barren, the horizon stretches into a hazy distance and only a mournful wind might be heard. Hm, maybe I should have been a poet!
In spite of all that stark and rugged beauty the region abounds with reminders of a hard and often vicious past: Ruins of castles and simple dwellings (Clearances!), wonderful small museums and fields of almost forgotten battles where the Scots and Viking raiders once clashed.
Please, do not always follow the main route along the top of the region (NC500). Try the smaller roads that lead you inland. You will certainly not regret it!
I've been here often but still this makes me very, very restless.................
Site rating:
- (***) A must see site. Never disappoints!
- (**) Might very well be fascinating.
- (*) Possibly interesting if you happen to be in the area.
- (-) No visible evidence. It's up to your imagination(!)
Must See:
- Badbea Clearance Village *** Location: Berriedale / Plus code: 5C6X+77X Berriedale
- Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve *** Location: Kinlochewe / Plus code: HQJ7+WMX Lubmore, Achnasheen
- Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve *** Location: Garbat / Plus code: M88M+CFM Dingwall
- Bone Caves *** Location: Inchnadamph / Plus code: 4355+8Q Stronechrubie, Lairg
- Cape Wrath *** Location: Durness / Plus code: J2G2+782 Kearvaig, Lairg
- Castle Leod *** Location: Strathpeffer / Pluscode: HFX8+92 Strathpeffer
- Castles Sinclair & Girnigoe *** Location: Wick / Plus code: FWHJ+2QR Wick
- Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve *** Location: Auchindrean / Plus code: QX4G+2Q Braemore, Garve
- Duncansby Stacks *** Location: John o'Groats / Plus code: JXM7+HJJ Wick
- Dunrobin Castle *** Location: Golspie / Plus code: X3J3+PW8 Golspie
- Eas a Chual Aluinn Waterfall *** Location: Kylesku / Plus code: 633C+W5P Newton, Lairg
- Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve *** Location: Forsinard / Plus code: 933V+CW Forsinard (See also: Scenic Routes: "A Roaring Silence"
- Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve *** Location: Elphin / Plus code: 2WMH+GH Elphin, Highland, Lairg
- Sandwood Bay Beach *** Location: Kinlochbervie / Plus code: GWQQ+5R6 Shegra, Lairg
- Smoo Cave *** Location: Durness / Plus code: H77J+623 Leirinmore, Lairg
- Torridon Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty *** Location: Torridon / Plus code: GFVQ+V8Q Torridon, Achnasheen
- Wailing Widow Falls *** Location: Unapool / Plus code: 6294+2PJ Newton, Lairg
And than there are.......
- Battle site of Achardale (1426) - Location: Harpsdale / Plus code: FFMH+RR9 Halkirk
- Bucholly Castle * Location: Nybster / Plus code: HWGP+C82 Wick
- Dun Dornaigil Broch ** Location: Alltnacaillich / Plus code: 9986+G8 Alltnacaillich, Lairg
- Ackergill Tower ** Location: Wick / Plus code: FVFQ+P7R Wick
- Battle site of Airidh-Dhamh (1506) - Location: Achentoul / Plus code: 8X8W+F38 Kinbrace
- Battle site of All tan-Beath (1542) - Location: Knockarthur / Plus code: 2VMJ+XVH Rogart
- Alltnacaillich Waterfall ** Location: Alltnacaillich / Plus code: 99CF+JG5 Alltnacaillich, Lairg
- Battle site of Altimarlach (1680) * Location: Sibster / Plus code: FV43+3QH Wick
- Ardvreck Castle ** Location: Inchnadamph / Plus code: 5284+H6R Inchnadamph, Lairg
- Caisteal Bharraich * Location: Tongue / Plus code: FHG7+8MF Tongue, Lairg
- Battle site of Carbisdale (1650) - Location: Culrain / Plus code: WH8M+X2R Ardgay
- Carn Liath Broch * Location: Golspie / Plus code: X3PQ+Q6V Brora
- Castle of Mey ** Location: Mey / Plus code: JQWG+R3 Mey, Thurso
- Castle of Old Wick * Location: Wick / Plus code: CWF9+77 Wick
- Clan Gunn Heritage Centre & Museum ** Location: Latheron / Plus code: 7JJQ+F6J Latheron
- Battle site of Clardon Hill (1196) * Location: Thurso / Plus code: JG36+27J Thurso
- Battle site of Druim na Coibe (1430) - Location: Tongue / Plus code: CGJX+X84 Kinloch Lodge, Lairg
- Historylinks Museum ** Location: Dornoch / Plus code: VXH9+MX Dornoch
- Grey Cairns of Camster ** Location: Lybster / Plus code: 9PHP+J8 Lybster
- Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve ** Location: Skelbo / Plus code: WXJ6+9C5 Dornoch
- Old Keiss Castle * Location: Keiss / Plus code: GVPR+WV Wick
- Skelbo Castle ** Location: Skelbo / Plus code: WXH5+WG Dornoch
- Timespan Heritage Centre ** Location: Helmsdale / Plus code: 488W+J8 Helmsdale