On a tour…

The gift of wellness lies beneath our big Caithness skies…

The landscape is varied and settled with remnants of the historic past scattered throughout. The many castles, sheepfolds, standing stones, cairns and brochs emphasise the historical continuity of settlement and timelessness. Castle ruins are often located atop conspicuous promontories and cascade down to the crashing waves of the Pentland Firth, and now offer the best vantage points to enjoy the scenery.

Welcome to Caithness…

A unique landscape of sweeping sandy beaches, craggy rock formations, shimmering lochs and wild expanses of heather moorland. If time allows, take an unforgettable Day trip to the beautiful Orkney Islands. Or… linger on a summer’s day at Strathy Bay, Farr Beach and Bettyhill. Watch the swell of the waves at Thurso, a surfer’s paradise. Wet suit and surf board hire, group lessons or private tutorial can be arranged. The itineries that follow can be covered comfortable in a full day sightseeing.

Day 1

• Visit John O’Groats and take the cliff top walk to Duncansby Stacks & Thirle Door. Lunch at Stacks Bistro, or Ice creams at the Parlour! • The Castle & Gardens of Mey, the home of our late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Animal Centre and Tea Rooms. • Mary Ann Calders cottage at Dunnet, guided tours… ‘A window on the Crofting Past’. • View the rugged cliffs & breathtaking horizon from Britain’s most northerly point at Dunnet Head. RSPB nature reserve. • Visit Dunnet Bay Distillery, the home of Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka. Botanicals are handpicked and sourced locally.

Day 2

• Whalligoe steps, now 336 allow you to follow in the footsteps of the fishermen’s wives, down the sea cliffs to the tiny fishing harbour or rest awhile at Whalligoe Cafe at the top and take in the stunning views out to sea. • Wick Heritage Museum, Wick Harbour & Old Wick Castle. • Lunch at Morag’s Cafe or Mackays Hotel No.1 Bistro. • Old Pulteney Distillery… sample this award winning classic Scotch Whisky… The Maritime Malt. • Visit the ruins of Castle Sinclair & Girnigoe at Noss Head and take in the views to the Lighthouse. Picnic area adjacent to car park.

Caithness has 25 harbours and 8 lighthouses at Holborn Head, Dunnet Head, Clyth Ness,

Duncansby Head, Noss Head, Wick Harbour, Lybster Harbour and the Island of Stroma.

On your journey north, you might like to visit the beautiful Falls of Shin, signposted to Lairg on the A9. The Pier Cafe at Lairg makes a great stop for a wee bite. Dunrobin Castle and Gardens at Golspie. Falconry displays at 11.30am and 2pm Monday to Saturday. Open 1st April until 15th October. Visit Timespan at Helmsdale, a fascinating insight to this fishing village, visit the museum, art centre, cafe and geology and herb gardens, which contain the largest collection of herbs in Scotland. The Auld Post Office is in the perfect location to rest your head while on the North Coast 500 - Scotland’s answer to Route 66 - Experience the scenic coastal tour - 500 miles of the Northern Highlands. Our location being inland from both Thurso (NW) and Latheron (NE), is perfect for a two night stay. if time allows take an unforgetable Day Trip to the beautiful Orkney Islands. Highland Games take place in villages and towns all over Scotland, in Halkirk it’s the last weekend in July. Wick and Thurso Pipe Bands often play in the town centres on a Saturday evening.