Things to see and do
Whether it's taking in our beautiful beaches and coastal scenery, visiting the local puffin colonies in the summer, exploring our castles and rich cultural heritage, or taking a trip over to the Orkney Islands.....there's plenty to keep you busy!

Durness
Photo copyright of Mike Roper
Approximately a 50-mile drive west
Durness is the most north westerly village in mainland Scotland, with beautiful beaches, stunning views along the rocky coastline, and fantastic walking. The spectacular Smoo Cave is also nearby.

Castle of Mey
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Approximately a 35-mile drive east
The Castle of Mey, near John O'Groats, is the most northerly inhabited castle in
Scotland and was the property of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, from 1952 until 1996. It also has beautiful gardens.

Smoo Cave
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Approximately a 50-mile drive west
Smoo Cave is a spectacular limestone sea cave to the east of Durness. It can be accessed by boat (local tours run in the summer) and also by a footpath from the car park above, and is floodlit inside.

Wolfburn Distillery
Photo copyright of Wolfburn Distillery
Approximately a 20-mile drive east
Wolfburn is the most northerly whisky distillery on mainland Scotland. Their
award-winning whiskies are matured in small stills for a fuller flavour, and bottled by hand at their premises in Thurso.

Local Surfing
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Various sites along the north coast
Wolfburn is the most northerly whisky distillery on mainland Scotland. Their
award-winning whiskies are matured in small stills for a fuller flavour, and bottled by hand at their premises in Thurso.
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The Unknown
Photo copyright of John Baikie
Approximately a 15-mile drive west
Wolfburn is the most northerly whisky distillery on mainland Scotland. Their
award-winning whiskies are matured in small stills for a fuller flavour, and bottled by hand at their premises in Thurso.

Dunnet Head
Photo copyright of Ruth Liddicoat
Approximately a 35-mile drive east
Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Scotland, was of strategic importance during WWII. It is now an RSPB nature reserve and has stunning views across to the Orkney Isles.

Orkney Isles
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Various ferry trips available
The magical islands of Orkney have a rich cultural and historical heritage. Trips are available with John O'Groat Ferries,
NorthLink Ferries (from Scrabster), and Pentland Ferries (from Gills Bay).
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Forsinard Flows
Photo copyright of RSPB Scotland
Approximately a 20-mile drive south
Forsinard Flows is a renowned RSPB nature reserve in a vast expanse of blanket bog, sheltered straths and mountains known as the Flow Country. It has a visitor centre and unique viewing tower.

Dunrobin Castle
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Approximately a 60-mile drive south
Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of Clan Sutherland, is a fairytale-like castle on the east coast of north Scotland, near the village of Golspie, with beautiful gardens and views out over the Moray Firth.

Old Pulteney Distillery
Photo copyright of Old Pulteney Distillery
Approximately a 40-mile drive south east
Built in 1826, Old Pulteney is a maritime malt from Wick where the North Sea meets the Caithness coast. The distillery produces award-winning single malts as well as critically acclaimed limited editions.
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Strathnaver Museum
Photo copyright of Strathnaver Museum
Approximately a 10-mile drive west
Strathnaver Museum is home to a wonderful collection of Clan Mackay memorabilia. It tells the story of the Clan
as well as the brutal 'Highland Clearances'
and their effect on Strathnaver.

Puffins at Red Point
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Approximately a 10-mile drive east
We have a local puffin colony a few miles to the east of Strathy, at Drumhollistan, where puffins can be seen on the cliffs from May until late July. For details of how to find them click on 'More info'.

Ben Loyal
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Approximately a 25-mile drive west
Ben Loyal is a Corbett (804m), near Tongue. It has a very distinctive profile with four peaks and is often referred to as the Queen of Scottish Mountains. It has superb 360° views over the land and sea.

Dunnet Bay Distillery
Photo copyright of Visit Scotland
Approximately a 35-mile drive east
Dunnet Bay award-winning distillery near Dunnet Head produces the popular Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka. Their products are hand stilled slowly and use locally sourced botanicals.