Caithness

There’s much to see in Caithness. It really is a magnificent part of Scotland which you need time to explore.

Dunnet Head

Dunnet Head Caithness 1

Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on the Scottish mainland. There is a car park and a pathway down to a viewpoint for looking at the cliffs.

Dunnet Head Caithness 2

This is a safe viewing point which also has a seat if you want to relax and take in the seascape. A display board provides information of the sea birds you can see from there but take a pair of binoculars if you want to appreciate them.

There’s the Stevenson Lighthouse:

Lighthouse Dunnet Head

Up at the World War structures there are panoramic views across to Stroma and Orkney in the distance.

Dunnet Head Caithness

And of Caithness too, of course.

Dunnet Head Caithness 3

There is parking up at this point for disabled car users and more excellent display boards.

John O’Groats

There are several facilities at John O’Groats – cafes, toilets, visitor information, wildlife trips and boats to Orkney.

John O Groats

And public art.

John O Groats 3

Both Dunnet Head and John O’Groats are very popular with visitors but there are plenty of places in Caithness – perhaps a bit more difficult to visit – and if you can, take the chance to explore them.

St Mary’s Chapel, Crosskirk

St Marys Chapel Caithness 1

St Mary’s Chapel is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.

St Mary’s Chapel was probably built in the 1100s, though the religious significance of the site may date back further. Two long-cist burials were found on its grounds during excavation, and a Pictish symbol-stone is said to have been found nearby.

There is a car park but you will have a short and tricky walk from there. The path is marked with tall poles and it is steep in places.

St Marys Chapel Caithness 3

 

There are scenes of peace and tranquility.

fishing at St Marys

St Mary’s was a dependant chapel of the church at Reay. It has a plain, rectangular design, sharing a lot in common with contemporary Norse churches of Orkney. HES

Much the oldest surviving ecclesiastical structure in Caithness, the chapel consists of nave and reconstructed chancel, an anachronistically early feature occurring in the form of sloping door jambs more suited to an Irish-type chapel than to an orthodox medieval structure. Canmore

St Marys Chapel Caithness 6

You can find out more about St Mary’s Chapel here: Canmore

Caithness has so much to offer to visitors whatever their interests are.

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Reporter: Fiona Grahame

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