Caithness, Sutherland & Ross
Suilven, Courtesy Andrew Foster
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.
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 not regret it!
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