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Caithness.
An aerial view shows a rugged headland where dark cliffs meet a turquoise sea, waves breaking white against sea stacks and a narrow inlet cutting into the rock.

Itineraries in Caithness.

Days we have driven, stop by stop

All itineraries
An evening by the River Thurso and a dram at the Ulbster ArmsA morningAn evening by the River Thurso and a dram at the Ulbster ArmsMore infoThe Castle of Mey, its walled garden and teaA morningThe Castle of Mey, its walled garden and teaMore infoWhisky up the Highland east coast in three daysA few daysWhisky up the Highland east coast in three daysMore infoOld Pulteney and Wolfburn: a whisky day in Wick and ThursoOne dayOld Pulteney and Wolfburn: a whisky day in Wick and ThursoMore infoDunnet Bay walk: the sands and the community forestA morningDunnet Bay walk: the sands and the community forestMore infoA cliff-top walk from Nybster Broch to Keiss CastleA morningA cliff-top walk from Nybster Broch to Keiss CastleMore infoA walk up Dunbeath Strath to the brochA morningA walk up Dunbeath Strath to the brochMore infoA ruined castle's tower and broken walls rise above a grassy headland, twin cart tracks leading towards the cliff edge and open sea beyond.A morningA walk to Castle Sinclair Girnigoe on Noss HeadMore infoThe Whaligoe Steps walkA morningThe Whaligoe Steps walkMore infoThe shore walk from John o' Groats to Duncansby HeadA morningThe shore walk from John o' Groats to Duncansby HeadMore infoA dip in Wick's tidal pools, the Trinkie and the North BathsA morningA dip in Wick's tidal pools, the Trinkie and the North BathsMore infoA wood-fired sauna at Castletown Beach, Dunnet BayA morningA wood-fired sauna at Castletown Beach, Dunnet BayMore infoA Pentland Firth wildlife cruise from John o' GroatsA morningA Pentland Firth wildlife cruise from John o' GroatsMore infoA ruined stone tower stands at the cliff edge above a narrow sea channel, waves breaking below grassy headlands on either side.A morningA boat trip along the Caithness coast from Wick harbourMore infoThe Tomb of the Eagles and the Orkney Fossil CentreOne dayThe Tomb of the Eagles and the Orkney Fossil CentreMore infoTwo tall sea stacks of banded sedimentary rock frame a narrow gap of open sea, a smaller stack visible in the distance beyond them.A morningA family swim in Thurso and the North Coast Visitor CentreMore infoA family swim at the East Caithness Community Facility in WickA morningA family swim at the East Caithness Community Facility in WickMore infoAn aerial view shows a ruined castle perched on a narrow sea headland, cliffs dropping to the water and a lighthouse visible on the point beyond.A morningA Wolfburn Distillery tour in ThursoMore infoStromness for the day, by the ferry from ScrabsterOne dayStromness for the day, by the ferry from ScrabsterMore infoDunnet Head's seabird cliffsA morningDunnet Head's seabird cliffsMore infoThe ruined towers of a coastal castle stand on layered rock cliffs, warm evening light catching the stone above calm sea.A morningA clifftop walk round Holborn HeadMore infoTwo sea stacks rise from the water in the foreground, a further stack and headland visible in the haze beyond.A morningDunnet Community Forest with the childrenMore infoAn aerial view of a curving sandy beach lit by low evening light, weathered red rock at the shoreline and dune grass rising to the clifftop.A morningOld Pulteney distillery tour in WickMore infoA wide sandy beach curves into the distance beneath dune grass and a cloudy sky, waves breaking gently along the shore.A morningA surf lesson at Dunnet BayMore infoSmall fishing boats crowd a stone harbour beneath a grassy headland, a white lighthouse standing at the harbour mouth.A morningDunnet Bay Distillery, the home of Rock Rose ginMore infoAn aerial view shows a narrow sea channel winding between rocky headlands, waves breaking white where the channel meets open water, and a path running along the clifftop above.One dayDunnet Beach and lunch in CastletownMore infoDuncansby Stacks and lunch at Café GroatsA morningDuncansby Stacks and lunch at Café GroatsMore infoReiss Sands with the dog and lunch at Puldagon FarmA morningReiss Sands with the dog and lunch at Puldagon FarmMore infoWaves surge into a walled harbour beneath layered sea cliffs, a stone pier curving out into the rough water.A morningThe Castle of Old Wick and lunch at Wickers WorldMore infoWick Heritage Centre and lunch at No 1 BistroA morningWick Heritage Centre and lunch at No 1 BistroMore infoCaithness before historyOne dayCaithness before historyMore infoThe Caithness east coastOne dayThe Caithness east coastMore infoExploring the Caithness CoastOne dayExploring the Caithness CoastMore infoExploring Orkney’s Quieter CornersOne dayExploring Orkney’s Quieter CornersMore info

More of Caithness.

A ruined stone tower stands at the cliff edge above a narrow sea channel, waves breaking below grassy headlands on either side.See and doCastles on the cliffs, steps and cairnsA blue fishing boat is moored inside a stone harbour, stacked lobster creels lining the quay in the foreground.Eat, drink and shopSeafood by the harbour and a French kitchenTwo lighthouse buildings stand on a clifftop at dusk, a stone outbuilding with a slate roof in the foreground.Where to stayLighthouse cottages and rooms by the seaRuined castle towers atop layered rock cliffs above the seaHistory and storiesBrochs, Vikings and the herring boomA distant lighthouse stands on a grassy headland above dark cliffs, calm sea stretching towards it under a soft evening sky.Getting hereThe Far North Line, the A9 and the Orkney boatsAn aerial view follows a long sandy beach edged by dune grass at dusk, waves breaking gently along the shore.What is on in CaithnessSomething new from the region every day

Photographs by Mackays Hotel, Ana Marrie, L.M. de Groot, Forss House Hotel, North Coast Watersports and The View From Bide Hotels via Google