About The Area
John O’ Groats Harbour – Or Ferry Haven – The Harbour houses all the local shellfish boats as well as the Orkney ferry during the summer. Here you will find the signpost where you can have your picture taken. This is where you start or finish your journey. It is also where you will find the First & Last Craft Shop, unique in that its design is eight sided which is still in keeping with the legend Jan De Groot.
John O’ Groats Ferry – 01955 611353 – The John O’ Groats Ferry runs daily to Orkney from 1st of May to the end of September. It offers a return ferry journey and guided coach tour of Orkney, where you can see the Churchill Barriers, Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow, St Magnus Cathedral, Stromness, Kirkwall, Skara Brae and the Standing Stones of Stenness. E-Mail [email protected] – Web www.jogferry.co.uk
Wildlife Cruise – If you prefer something shorter, then from mid June to the end of August, the ferry offers an afternoon wildlife cruise to either the Island of Stroma or the Stacks of Duncansby, where there is an abundance of marine wildlife on and around the 300ft cliffs and sea stacks. Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Gannets and more can be seen as well Seals and occasionally Porpoises and Dolphins.
Footpath to the Stacks of Duncansby – A footpath at John O’ Groats leads the way to a scenic walk up to Duncansby Head. Along the way you will pass a shell beach called the Ness where you can collect “Groatie Buckies” or cowrie shells which have been washed onto the shore. You can also visit the beautiful sandy beach Sannick, where during August and September seals can be seen.
Groatie Buckie – The “Groatie Buckie”, is a type of Cowrie shell, which is found on the seashore between John O’ Groats and Duncansby Head. They are used in the making of necklaces by many crafts people. Legend has it that if you keep a groatie in your purse you will never run out of money.
Duncansby Head & Light House – Duncansby Light house built in 1924, does not follow the tradition of round towers, this light house has a square tower, one of only two in Scotland. This is the most North Easterly point in Scotland.
Canisbay Kirk – The most northerly Kirk in Scotland where you can see the tombstone of Jan De Groot whom John O’ Groats is named after can be found. It is also the Kirk that the Queen mother worshipped at and these days Prince Charles.
Pentland ferries – 01856 831226/01955 611773 – The Gills Bay Car Ferry runs 3 times daily all year round with extra sailings in the summer month’s ideal and affordable if you want to take your car over to Orkney for a day or two. This crossing takes about an hour where you will land at St. Margaret’s Hope on South Ronaldsay. Email www.pentlandferries.co.uk/contact.asp – Web www.pentlandferries.co.uk
Castle of Mey – 01847 851473 – Holiday home to the late Queen Mother, the Castle of Mey was bought and renovated by her Majesty in 1952. Situated 7 miles west of John O’ Groats. Visitors can take a tour around the castle and enjoy the beautiful gardens. Open from of May to September.
Mary-Ann’s Cottage – 01847 892303 – Mary-Ann’s Cottage is situated in Dwarwick. It is a traditional house which was built around 1850. Tours of the cottage are available from June to September 2pm to 4.30pm (closed Mondays).
Dunnet Head – Dunnet Head is the most northerly point of the British mainland, here you will find Dunnet Head lighthouse which was built in 1831. Where you will get lovely views of the Island of Hoy.
Dunnet Forest – Dunnet Forest is situated just past the village of Dunnet on the A836, this forest covers 104 hectares and has various marked and signposted trails.
Dunnet Beach – A lovely sandy beach to visit stretching for two miles, here you can go sea fishing and often sea bass can be caught. The beach can be accessed through the car park of the Seadrift Centre just west of Dunnet Village.
Seadrift Centre – 01847 821531 – Situated at the North side of the Dunnet Beach, this is a visitor centre which aims to show you life around Dunnet bay. Open Sun-Fri, May – June 2pm – 5.30pm. July – August 10:30am – 5.30pm.
Castle Hill Heritage Centre – Castle Hill Heritage in Castletown is where Sherriff James Trail, a landowner and entrepreneur started a business in producing flagstone. At its busiest Castle Hill Heritage employed 500 people and produced up to 35,000 tons of flagstone annually. Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 2pm – 4pm. Explore the history of Castletown at this heritage centre.
Caithness Horizons – 01847 896508 – Caithness Horizons which is situated in Thurso Town Hall, has a museum which shows the history of Caithness, a gallery of changing exhibitions, a gift shop and cafe. Open Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm April to September, Closed Sunday October to March
Broch Centre – 01955 631377(in season) 607034 (other) – Located 6 Miles South of John O’ Groats in the Old School house in Auckengill. The Broch centre tells about the 19th and 20th century communities which uncovered the brochs, the communities which lived in these and the history and knowledge in which these brochs bring us. Open April to end of June 12pm- 4pm, July to end of August 10:30am-4.30pm: Closed Sundays and September 12pm-2pm: Closed Sunday and Monday
Keiss Harbour – Built in 1831, by James Bremner, using a design of stones on there edge compared to flat. This harbour is still used for fishing and landing of creel boats. Keiss harbour is located 8 miles North of John O’ Groats.
Old Pulteney Distillery – 01955 602371 – Established in Wick in 1826 and recently awarded whisky of the world 2012, this is the most northerly distillery on the British Mainland. Open Monday 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm. Saturday 10am-4pm (April – September) Tours 11am & 2pm or by arrangement (check for Friday pm Tours)Group & Evening bookings by appointment
Heritage Centre Wick – 01955 605393 – Visit the wick heritage centre museum to find out the story of Wick herring fishing when Wick was the largest herring port in the world. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 3.45pm. (It is advised that you should book if part of a group)
Wick Golf Club – 01955 602726 – 13 Miles away at Reiss, 3 miles north of Wick. Enjoy this 18 hole golf course with its breath taking scenery and stunning views. There is also an 18 Hole golf course in Reay, 9 Hole in Lybster and an 18 Hole in Thurso.
Achalone Activities 01847 831326 – Horse riding lessons, trekking or hacking for all ages and all riding experiences. Try out riding lessons in the sand arena or the purpose built jumping paddock, horse treks around the 100 acre farm land or a near by forrest. To find Achalone activities leave Thurso on the A9 heading for Inverness, follow the road past the Georgemas Junction and turn right at the junction signposted for Halkirk, then follow the road for 200m and turn right at Achalone Activities.
Laidhay Tearooms & Croft Museum – Visit Laidhay, a two hundred year old thatched Caithness longhouse, to learn about the crofting history, how they lived and worked. Situated in the village of Dunbeath, open from June until the end of September, there is a small admission charge. There is also a tearoom here serving refreshments.
Wick-ed Paintballing – 07884 185015 – Paintballing is available in Bilbster, which is a few miles outside Wick. This is an open area where obstacles are set up for different games to be played. Booking is essential.
Whaligoe – 365 stone steps lead down a 250ft cliff to the Haven, where in the 19th century fishing boats used as a landing. Beside the Haven the Bink was created for landing and curing the catch. Women had to gut the fish and then carry them up the 365 steps in barrels. The Whaligoe steps are not signposted but can be found just off the A99, halfway between Wick and Lybster at the end of a short row of houses directly opposite a road sign pointing inland to the Cairn of Get. These steps are not suitable for the very young or the very old, really only for the reasonably fit.
Caithness Clay Shooting – 01847831543 or 07921293353 – Caithness clay pigeon shooting suitable for all ages and all levels of experience. This is situated 2 miles of the A9 to Westerdale following signs to Achannaras Quarry.
Dunbeath Heritage Centre – 01593 731233 – Visit the Old School in Dunbeath to learn about the history of the local people from then until now. The centre is positioned with a good view of the Beatrice Oil Field, the only oilfield that can be seen from the mainland. Open April to September, Sunday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and October to March, Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm.
Clan Gunn Museum, Latheron – This museum will tell you about the clan Gunn from its Norse origins to the present day. There is also a shop here selling clan Gunn goods. Open June to September, Monday to Saturday 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Camster Cairns – These are Neolithic Chambered Cairns known as the Grey Cairns of Camster. There are two cairns, the long cairn and the round cairn which can be entered through a long passage way and a third cairn which lies ruined. The cairns are thought to have been used as burial chambers and ritual sites.
Caithness SeaCoast – 01955 609200 or 07747 404128 – Sea tours from Wick Harbour around the East coast of Caithness on the Seacoast Geo Explorer Boat. From the boat you can see Castles, sea caves and stacks, wildlife, harbours and lighthouses. Suitable for 4 years + and for people with restricted mobility. Open from the start of April to the end of October, 10.30am to 6.30 pm and winter trips by arrangement. Email [email protected] – Web www.caithness-seacoast.co.uk
Badbea – Badbea lies halfway between Berridale and the Ord and can be accessed by a footpath from a lay-by on the A9 near Ousdale. This is a quiet spot situated on the slopes leading to the Berridale braes. Here you will find a monument in memory of the people of Badbea, who were evicted from their homes in Langwell, Ousdale and Berridale during the highland clearances and then set up home here.
Lyth Arts Centre – Originally the Barrock Public School, this centre is a multi purpose theatre venue and exhibition space. British and foreign artists as well as the best fine art and craft by local artists. Situated in Lyth 3 miles of the main A99 between Wick and Keiss. Open daily July and August 2pm to 5pm.
Northshore Pottery and Patricia Niemann Jewellery, Latheron – Studio and showroom shared by Jenny Mackenzie Ross, potter and sculptor, and Patricia Niemann, goldsmith and designer. One-off items of stoneware, porcelain, fine jewellery, glass and textiles made on site. Open March to December, Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
Waterlines Visitor Centre, Lybster – Lybster’s history as Scotland’s third largest herring port and the natural history of the area. Video and live TV of nesting bird colonies. Open May to September 11am to 5pm.
Yarrows Archaeological Trail – The two horned cairns known respectively as South Yarrows South and South Yarrows North are located on a ridge overlooking the Loch of Yarrows and form part of the Yarrows Archaeological Trail. Three chambered cairns known as Warehouse North, South and East can be seen on the ridge to the south of the Loch. A fine example of a broch stands on the lochside, and a number of Bronze Age hut circles are visible along the trail.
Castle of Old Wick – Situated at the south side of Wick one of Scotland’s oldest castles – The Castle of Old Wick was probably built by an earl of Caithness in the 1100s, making it one of the oldest castles in Scotland. It was built at a time when the kings of Norway held sway over Caithness and Sutherland, it was held by Sir Reginald le Cheyne, Lord of Duffus, who supported Edward I of England.
Sinclair & Girnigoe Castles – Located about 3 miles north of Wick. It is considered to be one of the earliest seats of Clan Sinclair. In its earliest incarnation, Castle Sinclair Girnigoe was known only as Castle Girnigoe. It was built by William Sinclair, the 2nd Earl of Caithness, probably sometime between 1476 and 1496, but before his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.