01 August 2010

Local Attractions


Among the many places of interest in the immediate vicinity, you might like to consider visiting some of the following:

  • The Castle of Mey (the private home of the late Queen Mother)
    Open 1st May until 17 October 2010 (closed 29 July until 10 August and 6-8 October) 
  • Caithness Horizons, a brilliant new museum/visitor centre in Thurso
  • John O’Groats
  • The Orkney Islands
  • Various cairns and burial mounds, most thousands of years old
  • Historic Wick and it’s links to the herring fishing industry, and the Wick Heritage Museum.
  • Old Pulteney whisky distillery www.oldpulteney.com
  • Boat trips from Wick harbour to view the dramatic coastline from the sea,                                      www.caithness-seacoast.co.uk
  • Dunrobin Castle (at Golspie) open 1st April until 15 October 2010 www.dunrobincastle.co.uk
  • The magnificent coast of the Pentland Firth 
  • Dunnet Head (the most northerly point of the UK mainland) www.dunnethead.co.uk
  • Lybster Harbour and the Waterlines Visitor Centre (centre closes end of Sept)
  • Latheronwheel harbour
  • Dunbeath harbour and Visitor centre 
  • The scenic drive from Helmsdale to Melvich or via Strathnaver
  • The surfing beaches near Thurso (amongst the best in Europe) www.pentlandcanoeclub.org.uk    
  • RSPB reserves and sanctuaries (RSPB Forsinard open all year. Visitor Centre Easter until end of October 9am -5.30pm)
  • Highland Games (various locations usually held July / August)
  • Inverness Games 24 July 2010
  • Halkirk Highland Games  31st July 2010 www.halkirkgames.co.uk
  • Dornoch Highland Gathering 6 August 2010
  • Royal British Legion Mey Highland Games 7 August 2010 
  • Helmsdale & District Highland Games 21 August 2010
  • Astronomy:  For those without powerful telescopes but more than a passing interest in our universe, what better place to view the clear night skies than in the Far North of Scotland where light pollution is virtually zero.
  • The Wick Pipe Band - run Scottish Variety Shows every Wednesday from 7 July to 25 August 2010. Commencing at 8pm and finishing around 10.30pm. Full details on their website www.wickpipeband.org