Whilst we live and work in the highlands, we still love to get out about across Sutherland, Caithness and Ross & Cromarty to see the sights just like any tourist. Here are some of our absolute favourite places to go visit, a couple of these are real hidden gems… If you are looking specifically for cafes and restaurants, you can find our top places here.
The Trinkie Sea Pool, Wick
This phenomenal tidal sea pool is set in a spectacular location and is a must visit for diehard wild swimmers. There has been a sea pool here for about 70 years, and it’s maintained and repainted every year by a team of volunteers. It is found at the end of a farm track near Wick, with limited parking nearby. Make sure you check tide times in advance and take care walking over the flat rocks to the pool, as it can be very slippery. For those not brave enough to swim, it is a lovely place to sit and soak up the raw spirit of the sea and have a moment to yourself.
Whaligoe Steps, Lybster
There is something wild and mysterious about the Whaligoe Steps at Lybster. Trot down the 365 steps with care, and when you get to the bottom you’ll be dwarfed by the cliffs and marvel at how anyone overcame the sheer challenge of creating this harbour in inhospitable conditions 200 years ago. The herring and shellfish was unloaded from the boats and the hardy fisherwomen used to haul heavy baskets of fish up those 365 steps to get to market in Wick. You need to be in reasonable fitness and cardiovascular health to manage the walk back up. There is very limited parking in a residential area. Dogs must be kept on leads.
Dunbeath Harbour, Dunbeath
This place is a lovely quiet stop, where you can dip your toes in the water at the small beach, take in the spectacular views of nearby Dunbeath Castle and grab some local produce for lunch at the fresh shellfish food van (April – October). Parking is near the harbour, overnight usually allowed with a donation.
Emigrants Monument, Helmsdale
This impressive statue stands at the east corner of Couper Park, visible from the A9, and is a commemoration of the thousands of displaced highlanders who were on the receiving end of The Clearances and were forced to leave the highlands for new lands to simply survive. Walking around the statue you can see the different perspectives of the figures and the impact of the work is almost overwhelming. This site is also the home of the Helmsdale Highland Games on the middle Saturday of August, so time it right and you could enjoy the fun and excitement too. It is also adjacent to Timespan, a modern museum well worth taking the time to visit to learn more about this historic area, and to enjoy their riverside cafe. Parking is usually available around Helmsdale.
Crakaig Beach, Helmsdale
This place is a real hidden gem, a wild and naturally unkempt beach with a small campsite among the dunes. As it’s adjacent to a working farm, you may find cattle wandering around the beach at certain times of year, so use leads for your dog as appropriate. There’s a lovely long stretch of sand to walk the dog, or to find a spot to settle down for some sunbathing, if it’s warm enough… This is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to it’s Jurassic and Kimmeridgian bedrock. Fossils are routinely seen on this beach, some examples can be found at Timespan in Helmsdale. This beach is at the end of a very rough farm track, and accessed by going under a gated railway bridge that probably isn’t suitable for anything bigger than a mid-sized camper van. Parking is pitch-up style, wherever you find a space.
Baile an Or, Kildonan
Did you know that there was a brief gold rush in the highlands in the 19th century? Hidden away on the Suisgill Estate in the strath of Kildonan, not far from Helmsdale, the site offers recreational gold panning, strictly with permit, between April to October. It’s a lovely quiet spot, with a small car park and an information pod so you can learn the history of the short lived rush. Walk a few feet further to the Kildonan burn and try your own hand at finding your own gold! Permits can be purchased at Glencoast TackleShop in Helmsdale, and more information can be found on the Suisgill Estate website.
Dornoch Beach, Dornoch
This beach is just huge, it goes on for miles… On a sunny summer’s day it’s great for some relaxed sunbathing, and on a brisk winter’s day fab for walking the dogs, if everyone is wrapped up well. RAF Lossiemouth is just over the water, so you can frequently spot their Typhoon Squadron on exercise, and occasionally the Red Arrows are in town doing their incredible exercises over the Dornoch Firth. For family visits there is an outdoor gym, a child’s play park, a sensory play area, boules and table tennis near the parking area, and there is plenty of parking for cars. There is an adjacent parking area next to the Highland Larder for longer/larger vehicles.
Glenmorangie Distillery, Tain
Any trip to Scotland is simply not complete without a visit to a distillery and we think Glenmorangie is one of the best distillery tours in the Highlands. Their tours demystify the world of whisky by taking you on a full tour of production including seeing the beautiful stills and the expansive barrel house, telling the history of “the 16 men of Tain” and most importantly letting you taste the goods in their chichi tasting bar. There’s the obligatory visitors shop on the way out, and frankly we did not mind that at all… Parking available on site.
The Mermaid of Balintore
At high tide, or low, a visit to see the mermaid which is part of the seaboard sculpture trail is a must. Read about the story that inspired the artist, and see the other sculptures along this stretch. There is a great little cafe in the Seaboard Centre, if you’re looking for a brunch or lunch. If you have even the most passing of interests in Pictish history, a visit to the nearby Hilton of Cadboll stone is time well spent. Parking is near the Seaboard Centre.
Clachtoll Beach, Lochinver
Clachtoll beach has to be seen to be believed, with it’s white sands and turquoise waters. Take a stroll with your dog along the main beach or nip over to the little cove next door to soak up some sun, listen to the waves and relax a while. There is usually livestock free-roaming and grazing nearby so use a lead for your dog as necessary. There is plenty of parking on site; while you’re there, check out the giant whale bone on display in the car park.
Farr Bay Beach, Bettyhill
Beautiful Farr Bay Beach is a wild and untouched little cove and is accessed by a 5 minute walk from limited available parking. It’s a popular spot for surfing and water-sports, but on our visit we ended up calling the Coastguard to (successfully!) rescue a surfer who had been caught up in a riptide, which this bay is known for. However, that notwithstanding, if you appreciate a windswept beach with pinky white sand and stunning dunes with very little company, then this is the one for you.
John O’Groats, Wick
A visit to John O’Groats is a must, but not just to stand in a queue to have your photo taken at the famous pole. You can meet Paddington, visit the gorgeous shop at John O’Groats Brewery and have a drink in their warm and welcoming pub. There is a decent choice of food outlets and tourist souvenir shops in the recently expanded visitors area, and plenty of parking for vehicles.
Duncansby Stacks, Wick
Accessed by a walk from Duncansby Head Lighthouse down the cliff path towards the stacks, the scale of this natural phenomenon has to be seen to be believed. The views as you walk along are spectacular, and the sight of all the birds nesting in the cliffs are amazing. A lot of people go along hoping to see puffins but the window for them nesting here is so short, you may have to just appreciate the diverse range of other stunning bird species nesting there instead. Parking available at the lighthouse, reasonable fitness and cardiovascular health needed to walk to the stacks and back.
Reiss Sands, Wick
There was a calm, ethereal vibe the day we visited Reiss Sands, and there wasn’t another soul to be seen. There’s a lovely long stretch of beach, perfect for walking the dogs, and at low tide the ‘Jean Stephen’ shipwreck surfaces in the sand. On a clear day you can see Ackergill Tower, Noss Head lighthouse and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe from the beach. So much history in one place… There is a council car park close by, just near Wick Golf Club.
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