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, mayby 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 clashed.
Site rating:
Although the featured attractions, sites and landmarks are always chosen by me, I have made a serious effort to differentiate 4 levels:
- (***) This is, for whatever reason, a very personal favourite! Will definitely be on my itinerary! Could possibly be disappointing for someone else though.
- (**) A major must-see tourist attraction that you can find in many a brochure.
- (*) Worth seeing and possibly interesting if you happen to be in the vicinity.
- (-) A hefty dollop of imagination is a must, but it might be interesting if you know the background.
My very personal selection:
Location: Achentoul / Plus code: 8X8W+F38 Kinbrace
Location: Berriedale / Plus code: 5C5X+F26 Berriedale
Location: Kinlochewe / Plus code: HQJ7+WMX Lubmore, Achnasheen
Location: Garbat / Plus code: M88M+CFM Dingwall
Location: Nybster / Plus code: HWGP+C82 Wick
Location: Durness / Plus code: J2G2+782 Kearvaig, Lairg
Location: Wick / Plus code: FWHJ+2QR Wick
Location: Auchindrean / Plus code: QX4G+2Q Braemore, Garve
Location: John o'Groats / Plus code: JXM7+HJJ Wick
Location: Kylesku / Plus code: 633C+W5P Newton, Lairg
Location: Forsinard / Plus code: 933V+CW Forsinard (See also: Scenic Routes: "A Roaring Silence"
Location: Elphin / Plus code: 2WMH+GH Elphin, Highland, Lairg
Location: Kinlochbervie / Plus code: GWQQ+5R6 Shegra, Lairg
Location: Durness / Plus code: H77J+623 Leirinmore, Lairg
Location: Torridon / Plus code: GFVQ+V8Q Torridon, Achnasheen
Location: Unapool / Plus code: 6294+2PJ Newton, Lairg
And than there are.......
Location: Harpsdale / Plus code: FFMH+RR9 Halkirk
Location: Wick / Plus code: FVFQ+P7R Wick
Location: Knockarthur / Plus code: 2VMJ+XVH Rogart
Location: Sibster / Plus code: FV43+3QH Wick
Location: Inchnadamph / Plus code: 5284+H6R Inchnadamph, Lairg
Location: Tongue / Plus code: FHG7+8MF Tongue, Lairg
Location: Culrain / Plus code: WH8M+X2R Ardgay
Location: Golspie / Plus code: X3PQ+Q6V Brora
Location: Mey / Plus code: JQWG+R3 Mey, Thurso
Location: Wick / Plus code: CWF9+77 Wick
Location: Latheron / Plus code: 7JJQ+F6J Latheron
Location: Thurso / Plus code: JG36+27J Thurso
Location: Tongue / Plus code: CGJX+X84 Kinloch Lodge, Lairg
Location: Golspie / Plus code: X3J3+PW8 Golspie
Location: Dornoch / Plus code: VXH9+MX Dornoch
Location: Lybster / Plus code: 9PHP+J8 Lybster
Location: Skelbo / Plus code: WXJ6+9C5 Dornoch
Location: Keiss / Plus code: GVPR+WV Wick
Location: Skelbo / Plus code: WXH5+WG Dornoch
Location: Helmsdale / Plus code: 488W+J8 Helmsdale