Things to see & do nearby.
Sightseeing
Picturesque harbour that was once a bustling herring port. There is waterfall where the Reisgill Burn flows through a narrow gorge above the Harbour Road bridge. There is a walking path that takes you up the cliff side for lovely views. The path forms part of the John O'Groat Coastal Walking Trail. The Waterlines café at the harbour is open May - September where you can sit outside & enjoy a coffee or pot of tea & sample some locally caught crab. Or take yourself down a picnic to enjoy on one of the many picnic tables dotted around the harbour area. You can also try your luck having a few casts fishing off the pier.
Lybster Harbour
Picturesque harbour that was once a bustling herring port. There is waterfall where the Reisgill Burn flows through a narrow gorge above the Harbour Road bridge. There is a walking path that takes you up the cliff side for lovely views. The path forms part of the John O'Groat Coastal Walking Trail. The Waterlines café at the harbour is open May - September where you can sit outside & enjoy a coffee or pot of tea & sample some locally caught crab. Or take yourself down a picnic to enjoy on one of the many picnic tables dotted around the harbour area. You can also try your luck having a few casts fishing off the pier.
Parking up at the harbour, its worth a wee look around the harbour area. Opposite the harbour at the far side of the beach is a little cave that was inhabited off and on right up until at least 1910. Walking back up the road a ways, you can walk over the old arched stone bridge & up the path for some cliff side views. Walking further up the harbour road to the first bend you will find a path leading into the woodland where you find the fairy glen. This is a great spot for a picnic & to seek out all the little fairy houses in the woods which is particularly fun for children.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1017103-d21184649-Reviews-Latheronwheel_Fairy_Glen-Latheronwheel_Caithness_and_Sutherland_Scottish_Highla.html
Latheronwheel Harbour
Parking up at the harbour, its worth a wee look around the harbour area. Opposite the harbour at the far side of the beach is a little cave that was inhabited off and on right up until at least 1910. Walking back up the road a ways, you can walk over the old arched stone bridge & up the path for some cliff side views. Walking further up the harbour road to the first bend you will find a path leading into the woodland where you find the fairy glen. This is a great spot for a picnic & to seek out all the little fairy houses in the woods which is particularly fun for children.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1017103-d21184649-Reviews-Latheronwheel_Fairy_Glen-Latheronwheel_Caithness_and_Sutherland_Scottish_Highla.html
Neolithic Grey Chambered Cairn site, 1st archaeological investigation in 1865 carried out by my 1st cousin, 5x removed, Robert Innes Shearer of Thrumster & antiquarian, Joseph Anderson.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Camster Cairns
Neolithic Grey Chambered Cairn site, 1st archaeological investigation in 1865 carried out by my 1st cousin, 5x removed, Robert Innes Shearer of Thrumster & antiquarian, Joseph Anderson.
230 year old staircase up the cliff side from the sea near Ulbster. Marvel at the stunning work of local artisan stonemason & stone sculptor Charlie Juhle's ongoing restoration of this notable Caithness landmark. Can be a great site for seal spotting & watching bird life.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whaligoe Steps
230 year old staircase up the cliff side from the sea near Ulbster. Marvel at the stunning work of local artisan stonemason & stone sculptor Charlie Juhle's ongoing restoration of this notable Caithness landmark. Can be a great site for seal spotting & watching bird life.
From Lybster crossroads, head south and take a right down the road signposted Achavanaich. Follow to the A9. Follow the A9 to Mybster & turn left. Take the road over the stone bridge at Westerdale, driving through the hamlet of Westerdale continue towards Loch More. Eventually, you come to an old sand pit road & need to turn left here & follow it to Dirlot Farm where you can park. You'll see fishing beat signs near the gate, walk up that road & you'll come first to an old graveyard high up on the riverbank. Its walls forming an unusual shape. Follow the path down to the water to view the old site of Dirlot Castle & a dog leg in the Thurso river called, "Devil's Pool". You can enjoy a walk up the river &/or enjoy a picnic on the riverside.
If you are here with your kayak, see the UK Rivers Guide for info about kayaking Dirlot Gorge.
Dirlot Castle
From Lybster crossroads, head south and take a right down the road signposted Achavanaich. Follow to the A9. Follow the A9 to Mybster & turn left. Take the road over the stone bridge at Westerdale, driving through the hamlet of Westerdale continue towards Loch More. Eventually, you come to an old sand pit road & need to turn left here & follow it to Dirlot Farm where you can park. You'll see fishing beat signs near the gate, walk up that road & you'll come first to an old graveyard high up on the riverbank. Its walls forming an unusual shape. Follow the path down to the water to view the old site of Dirlot Castle & a dog leg in the Thurso river called, "Devil's Pool". You can enjoy a walk up the river &/or enjoy a picnic on the riverside.
If you are here with your kayak, see the UK Rivers Guide for info about kayaking Dirlot Gorge.
Food Scene
Excellent wood fired pizzas can be found here! Also, serving gourmet burgers, some pub classics & a range of puddings. This is a dog friendly restaurant. Great place to stop & relax after a walk through Dunbeath Strath. Enjoy a meal while taking in the stunning views out to sea & of Dunbeath Castle from the restaurant.
The Bay Owl Inn & Restaurant
Excellent wood fired pizzas can be found here! Also, serving gourmet burgers, some pub classics & a range of puddings. This is a dog friendly restaurant. Great place to stop & relax after a walk through Dunbeath Strath. Enjoy a meal while taking in the stunning views out to sea & of Dunbeath Castle from the restaurant.
Great & consistent quality breakfasts, lunches, cakes & coffees. Very popular, bustling café at Wick Harbour overlooking the marina.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wickers World
21 Harbour QuayGreat & consistent quality breakfasts, lunches, cakes & coffees. Very popular, bustling café at Wick Harbour overlooking the marina.
Open June - September. Tea, coffee, scones, soup, crab rolls & ice cream at the picturesque Lybster Harbour. Good outdoor seaside seating area to watch the waves, birdlife & hubbub of fishermen working at this small harbour. Cash only.
Waterlines Heritage Centre
Open June - September. Tea, coffee, scones, soup, crab rolls & ice cream at the picturesque Lybster Harbour. Good outdoor seaside seating area to watch the waves, birdlife & hubbub of fishermen working at this small harbour. Cash only.
Surprising find in the Caithness countryside on a working farm. Serving breakfasts from 10am - 11:45am (including vegetarian breakfast option) & serving meals into the late afternoon with many options to choose from. Often incorporating wild foraged plants in some of their dishes. Great wee farm shop with some local items + a good selection of other items. You can cycle here from Lybster by following the Camster Cairns road all the way to the wind farm. Cycle through the windfarm and hang a right in Blingery Forest & follow the gravel forestry track all the way down to the public single track road & turn left. Puldagon is ½ mile on your left. If driving, head north on the A99 towards Wick and watch for the signs for Yarrows Archaeological Trail & also a small sign for Puldagon. Turn left & follow the single track road for a few miles. Passing the turn off to the right for Wick, continue for ½ mile and you will see Puldagon on your left.
Puldagon Farm Shop & Restaurant
Surprising find in the Caithness countryside on a working farm. Serving breakfasts from 10am - 11:45am (including vegetarian breakfast option) & serving meals into the late afternoon with many options to choose from. Often incorporating wild foraged plants in some of their dishes. Great wee farm shop with some local items + a good selection of other items. You can cycle here from Lybster by following the Camster Cairns road all the way to the wind farm. Cycle through the windfarm and hang a right in Blingery Forest & follow the gravel forestry track all the way down to the public single track road & turn left. Puldagon is ½ mile on your left. If driving, head north on the A99 towards Wick and watch for the signs for Yarrows Archaeological Trail & also a small sign for Puldagon. Turn left & follow the single track road for a few miles. Passing the turn off to the right for Wick, continue for ½ mile and you will see Puldagon on your left.
Fabulous wee café at the bottom of the Berriedale Braes serving breakfast & lunches with a creative menu. Excellent outdoor seating area & service.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The River Bothy
Fabulous wee café at the bottom of the Berriedale Braes serving breakfast & lunches with a creative menu. Excellent outdoor seating area & service.
Activities
Watersports, walking, cycling & mountain biking/train trips!.
Take a dip in one of the UK's most northerly outdoor swimming pools! Wick has not just one, but, two outdoor swimming pools. The other is called the Trinkie which is up the other side of Wick.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
North Baths
Take a dip in one of the UK's most northerly outdoor swimming pools! Wick has not just one, but, two outdoor swimming pools. The other is called the Trinkie which is up the other side of Wick.
See Caithness from the sea! Guided boat tours can be booked from Wick Harbour which take you out to see Caithness' stunning coastline.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Caithness Seacoast Ltd
Harbour RoadSee Caithness from the sea! Guided boat tours can be booked from Wick Harbour which take you out to see Caithness' stunning coastline.
Learn to surf at Britain's most northerly surf school. Caithness is home to the world class reef break Thurso East, arguably the best surfing spot in Europe. Surf lessons at Dunnet Beach can be booked at their website or via Airbnb Experiences.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
North Coast Watersports
WestsideLearn to surf at Britain's most northerly surf school. Caithness is home to the world class reef break Thurso East, arguably the best surfing spot in Europe. Surf lessons at Dunnet Beach can be booked at their website or via Airbnb Experiences.
Fast paced changing scenery from the ancient ruins of a monastic institution, "House of Peace", then across the Houstry Burn to the well preserved remains of a Broch beneath the towering Wych Elm trees through the hazelnut wood & onwards to scramble through Aspen & Birch wood to Prisoner's Leap. Special prize for those who find the Roble Beech. 😉 This walk continues further if you wish up to an old cemetery & beyond. See link for walk details.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/dunbeath-strath.shtml
Prisoners leap
Fast paced changing scenery from the ancient ruins of a monastic institution, "House of Peace", then across the Houstry Burn to the well preserved remains of a Broch beneath the towering Wych Elm trees through the hazelnut wood & onwards to scramble through Aspen & Birch wood to Prisoner's Leap. Special prize for those who find the Roble Beech. 😉 This walk continues further if you wish up to an old cemetery & beyond. See link for walk details.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/dunbeath-strath.shtml
If you want to try a remote & adventurous cycling day out, catch a train to Altnabreac station. It is several miles in any direction from any settlements or public roads but, the estate tracks are decent cycling for mountain & gravel bikers. At Dalnawillan, you can choose to head towards Halkirk/Thurso or down to Braemore to follow the tarmac public road to Dunbeath. Bikes can be booked onto Scotrail trains from their online booking app. Folding bikes can travel on Stagecoach buses if they fit in the luggage pen.
Altnabreac
If you want to try a remote & adventurous cycling day out, catch a train to Altnabreac station. It is several miles in any direction from any settlements or public roads but, the estate tracks are decent cycling for mountain & gravel bikers. At Dalnawillan, you can choose to head towards Halkirk/Thurso or down to Braemore to follow the tarmac public road to Dunbeath. Bikes can be booked onto Scotrail trains from their online booking app. Folding bikes can travel on Stagecoach buses if they fit in the luggage pen.
Visit the Flow Country & enjoy the wildlife & unique plant life. Forsinard can also be reached by train 3 times a day from Wick or Thurso.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Forsinard Flows
Visit the Flow Country & enjoy the wildlife & unique plant life. Forsinard can also be reached by train 3 times a day from Wick or Thurso.
Another interesting cycling day out can be had by catching the train from Wick or Thurso to Kinbrace (or previous station Forsinard for a longer trip) & follow the single track public road as it winds its way through the beautiful Strath of Kildonan where you are sure to see some very tame red deer! The road ends up at Helmsdale where there are a range of great amenities & a beautiful harbour & marina. A train can then be caught from Helmsdale back to your initial departure station, Wick or Thurso.
**The very adventurous can take a side excursion before reaching Helmsdale by crossing the river & train tracks at Kildonan station & following the road firstly up a steep, winding incline, only to make a long, sweeping drop down into the remote Glen Loth taking you out to the A9 again at Loth a few miles south of Helmsdale. Large herds of red deer roam the glen & there are some archaeological sites across the river to take in there.
Strath of Kildonan, Helmsdale KW9 6LU, Reino Unido
Another interesting cycling day out can be had by catching the train from Wick or Thurso to Kinbrace (or previous station Forsinard for a longer trip) & follow the single track public road as it winds its way through the beautiful Strath of Kildonan where you are sure to see some very tame red deer! The road ends up at Helmsdale where there are a range of great amenities & a beautiful harbour & marina. A train can then be caught from Helmsdale back to your initial departure station, Wick or Thurso.
**The very adventurous can take a side excursion before reaching Helmsdale by crossing the river & train tracks at Kildonan station & following the road firstly up a steep, winding incline, only to make a long, sweeping drop down into the remote Glen Loth taking you out to the A9 again at Loth a few miles south of Helmsdale. Large herds of red deer roam the glen & there are some archaeological sites across the river to take in there.
Ulbster Alpaca Trekking
Trek with Alpacas & visit the ducks.
This is a 20 mile out-and-back cycle from here. It takes you through Rumster Forest & over the hill to Achavanich horseshoe shaped stone circle & then a bit further down the hill to Loch Stemster. From there you follow the "Road to Nowhere". This gravel track takes you out past Ballachy farm where there is an old cemetery & finally to the end of the road where you'll find information boards about the reserve. Munsary is home to some exceptionally rare plants including the largest colony of marsh saxifrage in Scotland. It is also home to carnivorous plants such as butterwort & sundews. Birdwatchers should have plenty to observe here too. You can also drive to Loch Stemster & walk from there.
Plantlife Munsary Peatlands Nature Reserve
This is a 20 mile out-and-back cycle from here. It takes you through Rumster Forest & over the hill to Achavanich horseshoe shaped stone circle & then a bit further down the hill to Loch Stemster. From there you follow the "Road to Nowhere". This gravel track takes you out past Ballachy farm where there is an old cemetery & finally to the end of the road where you'll find information boards about the reserve. Munsary is home to some exceptionally rare plants including the largest colony of marsh saxifrage in Scotland. It is also home to carnivorous plants such as butterwort & sundews. Birdwatchers should have plenty to observe here too. You can also drive to Loch Stemster & walk from there.
Once a very popular summer swimming area for the locals. Short scenic walk down to the shore from the village of Lybster to watch sea life & birds or go for a refreshing swim on a sunny summer's day! Part of the path forms part of the John O' Groats Walking Trail.
Shelligoe Path
Once a very popular summer swimming area for the locals. Short scenic walk down to the shore from the village of Lybster to watch sea life & birds or go for a refreshing swim on a sunny summer's day! Part of the path forms part of the John O' Groats Walking Trail.
Take a walk up the path above the cliffs of Lybster Harbour to enjoy the breathtaking views out to sea. Plenty of benches at various lookouts up top to stop & have a rest. Another short path takes you along to the Brethren Well.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Alemania
Take a walk up the path above the cliffs of Lybster Harbour to enjoy the breathtaking views out to sea. Plenty of benches at various lookouts up top to stop & have a rest. Another short path takes you along to the Brethren Well.
A trail takes you around various archaeological sites. Brochs, neolithic chambered cairns, Bronze age hut circles & stone rows. Wear good shoes or boots as parts can be quite damp. Info board at the small car park.
Yarrows Archaeological Trail
Unnamed RoadA trail takes you around various archaeological sites. Brochs, neolithic chambered cairns, Bronze age hut circles & stone rows. Wear good shoes or boots as parts can be quite damp. Info board at the small car park.