top attractions in caithness & sutherland · 12 clan sinclair study centre, noss head, wick a c...

1 Historylinks Museum, Dornoch Enjoy the history of Dornoch including the Vikings, Cathedral, feudingclans, Scotland’s last witch, golf and the railway. Many unique films andslide shows. There is much to involve children.Open Mon – Fri, April, May and October Open 7 days, June – September.Rest of year, Wed & Thu. Tel: 01862 811275 www.historylinks.org.uk

2 Orcadian Stone Shop, GolspieEnjoy our wonderful display of minerals, crystals and fossils – the largestprivate collection in Scotland. Buy gemstone jewellery, mineral specimens,fossils, stone giftware, geological maps and books.Open Easter – OctoberTel: 01408 633483 www.orcadianstone.co.uk

3 Dunrobin Castle, GolspieHome of the Clan Sutherland, dates from early 1300’s. Magnificentcollection of furniture, paintings and family silver. Superb gardens, falconrydisplays, Tearooms and Gift shop. Open daily from 1 April – 15 October.Tel: 01408 633177 www.dunrobincastle.co.uk

4 Brora Heritage CentreExplore the historical displays of Brora Woollen Mill, former Brora Coal Mineand the most northerly brick works. Interactive displays and quizzes.Internet access and research area. Admission Free.Open May – September, Mon – Sat. N Picnic and children’s area. Tel: 01408 622024 www.highland.gov.uk/bhc

5 Timespan Heritage & Arts Centre, HelmsdaleExplore the history of Helmsdale by visiting the Museum and communityexhibition. Monthly exhibitions of contemporary art. Quality local art andcraft shop. Relax in the riverside café. Open Mon – Sat 10 – 5 / Sun 12 – 5N Tel: 01431 821327 www.timespan.org.uk

6 Dunbeath Heritage CentreExplore the rich past of a Caithness strath. Neil M. Gunn’s “Highland River”and “Silver Darlings” landscape. Local history, guided walks, art installationsand archaeology exhibition. Bookshop. Open Sun – Fri 10am – 5pm Apr – Sep / Mon – Fri 11am – 3pm Oct – MarTel: 01593 731233

7 Clan Gunn Museum, LatheronFollow one of Scotland's oldest clans from its Norse origins to the presentday, its skirmishes with other local clans and the Scotsmen who discoveredAmerica before Columbus. Video presentation, clan archive and shop. Open June to September. Tel: 01593 741700

8 North Shore Pottery, LatheronIndividual pieces of porcelain and stoneware which are both functional andunique. Work in progress can be viewed at the workshop and is for sale inthe showroom. Open Wed – Sat and by appointment. Closed in January.Tel: 01593 741777

9 Patricia Niemann Jewellery, LatheronA goldsmith's workshop located in the North Shore Pottery. Fine jewellery andunusual objects are hand made on site. Commissions undertaken. Open Wed – Sat and by appointment. Closed January and last two weeks inOctober.Tel: 01593 741777 www.patbat.com E-mail patbat@btinternet.com

10 Waterlines Visitor Centre, LybsterLybster's history as Scotland's third largest herring port and the natural historyof the area. Video and live TV of nesting bird colonies. Facilities foryachtsmen. Coffee shop. Open daily May to September N Tel: 01593 721520

11 Camster Cairns, Caithness Archaeological TrustThe Grey Cairns of Camster remain among the best preserved chamberedcairns in Northern Scotland. Careful excavation and restoration makes themaccessible to visitors. Open all year round. For other sites visit www.caithnessarchaeology.org.uk

12 Clan Sinclair Study Centre, Noss Head, WickA collection of 3000 books and other research material which is a must for scholars and historians who are interested in Scottish History, Freemasonry, The Crusades and Knights Templar. Tel: 01955 606700

13 North Highland Archive, WickPreserving the written heritage of Caithness and providing access to resources for genealogy, local history and other research topics. Searchroom open daily,Opening hours: Mon, Tue & Thu 10am - 5.30pm (closed 1.30-2pm) Fri 10am - 5pm / Wed – morning appointments only. Tel: 01955 606432 Email: north.highlandarchive@highland.gov.uk

14 Wick Heritage MuseumThe largest museum in the North of Scotland. Allow at least 1.5 hours foryour visit. There is enough nostalgia and information to last you a lifetime!Tel: 01955 605393 Email: wsherit@aol.com

15 Pulteney Distillery, WickThe most northerly distillery on the Scottish Mainland. Discover thehistory and art of Scottish Whisky making. Purchase and hand fill yourown bottle of cask strength whisky.Open all year Mon – Fri 10am – 1pm / 2 – 4pm Saturdays Easter – endSeptember. Tel: 01955 602371 www.oldpulteney.com

16 Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, Noss HeadThe finest medieval / rennaissance castle in the north of Scotland,currently the subject of a preservation programme. Open from 2010 May – October. Tel: 01955 606700 www.sinclairgirnigoe.org

17 Lyth Arts CentreA unique and attractive arts venue presenting a wide programme of music, theatre and visual art. Open daily July and August with summerexhibitions of work by both established British and foreign artists as well as the best fine art and craft by local artists. Tea/coffee and homebaking available. N Tel: 01955 641270 www.lytharts.org.uk

18 Caithness Broch Centre, AuckengillBrand new centre in the old school opens June 2009. An ambitioushigh quality exhibition looking at who lived in the brochs, whoexcavated them and who lives nearby today. Open May to September Mon – Fri (plus Sat July & Aug) Tel: 01955 607771

19 Last House Museum, John O’GroatsThe museum features John O'Groats of yesteryear, includingphotographs and a collection of artefacts. Photographs of shipwrecks inthe Pentland Firth and Scapa Flow. Enjoy views of the island of Stroma.Open all year. Tel: 01955 611250

20 John O'Groats Ferries Wildlife CruisesFrom John O'Groats Harbour at 2.30pm every summer afternoon fromlate June to the end of August. A superb chance to see the very best ofScotlland's marine wildlife. Atlantic Grey Seals, Puffins, Razorbills,Guillemots and Gannets galore! View from the panoramic decks of ourvessel – Pentland Venture – or from her comfortable saloon. Enjoy aWildlife Cruise and one of our Day Trips to Orkney and we'll give you areally special deal! Tel: 01955 611 353 www.jogferry.co.uk.

21 The Castle of Mey The Queen Mother's home in Caithness with walled garden, animalcentre, tearoom and gift shop. Open May – September, closed 30 July – 11 August.Tel: 01847 851473. www.castleofmey.org.uk

22/23 St. John’s Pool & Artsmith Studio, BroughEnjoy a unique wildlife/art experience at one of the north’s premierbirdwatching sites. Whatever the weather, relax in the hide, and watchnature up close, or visit the studio/gallery of landscape & wildlife artistJulian Smith. Bird hide open all year. For more information and studio opening details,follow the links on: www.artsmith-caithness.co.uk or tel: 01847 851283

24 Mary Ann’s Cottage, DunnetHistoric cottage showing how successive generations of one family livedand worked over 150 years. Display of 19th C farming implements.Visitors are personally conducted on a tour which brings to life Mary-Ann's story. Open June – September Tue – Sun. Tel: 01847 851765www.caithness.org/community/museums/maryanncottage/

25 Seadrift Centre Countryside Ranger Base Wildlife display. Find out about the natural history of Caithness andSutherland or join us in our programme of walks. Open afternoons May to September except Saturdays. Tel: 01847 821531

26 Castlehill Heritage Centre and Trail, CastletownWalk round site of 19th century flagstone works. Follow the stone fromquarry to cutting yard to export from harbour. In magnificent coastal setting. Visitor heritage centre, garden and archaeological research lab. Tel: 01847 821204 www.castletownheritage.co.uk

27 Caithness HorizonsThe restored Thurso Town Hall and Carnegie Library, is a fascinatingmuseum that tells the story of mankind's past and present interactionwith the north east of Scotland. Permanent exhibition, temporaryexhibitions, audio visual theatre, shop and cafe. Open 7 days a week all year round. Tel: 01847 896508 Fax: 01847 891152 www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

28 RSPB Forsinard Flows National Nature ReserveVast open peatland nature reserve in the internationally renowned ‘FlowCountry’. Explore the myriad bog pools, dragonflies and birds on regularguided walks or our 1.5km pool trail. Visitor centre (3 star) open Easter – October. Tel: 01641 571225 email: forsinard@rspb.org.uk

29/32/34 Scottish Natural HeritageNational Nature Reserves (NNR) and other sites ranging from AchanarrasFossil Quarry (29) and geological trails at Knockan Crag (32) to coastalwoodlands of Loch Fleet NNR (34) www.nnr-scotland.org.uk andwww.snh.org.uk/scottish/nhighland/places.asp

30 Strathnaver MuseumDiscover the rich history of the area through the wide-ranging collection ofartefacts. Learn about the Strathnaver Clearances. Visit the Mackay room.Find The Farr Stone and reconstructed ‘kist’ burial chamber.Adjacent café and parking. Mon – SatN - ground floor only. Tel: 01641 521418www.caithness.org/atoz/sutherland/strathnavermuseum

31 North West Highlands Geopark, AssyntScotland’s first GEOPARK, extending over 2000sq km, comprising some ofBritain’s finest mountain and coastal landscapes with a wealth of classic rock formations which are internationally recognised for geological research. Tel: 01571 844000 email: info@northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk

33 Ferrycroft Visitor Centre, Lairg4 star attraction. New family friendly displays, touch screens, listening posts.Wildlife, archaeology, local history, hydro scheme & the mart. TouristInformation Centre. NOpen Easter to October, admission free. Tel: 01549 402160 www.highland.gov.uk/ferrycroft

Produced by Caithness & Sutherland Visitor Attraction GroupDesign and artwork by DesignsmithPhotographs courtesy of Caithness Biodiversity GroupInformation correct at time of publication – May 2009

Top attractions in Caithness & Sutherland

Fourth edition 2010

Wick

Lochinver

Assynt

11 Waterlines Heritage Museum Lybster

13 Clan Sinclair StudyCentre, Noss Headlighthouse

18 Lyth Arts Centre

Balnakiel Beach, Durness

The Clan Mackay Badge

35 History of Clan Mackay,Strathnaver Museum

Lochinver Heronry

Castle of Old Wick

36

17

13

14

15

16

Duncansby Head

Auckengill

Noss Head

Wick

Thurso

Reay

Dounreay

MelvichStrathy

Bettyhill

Tongue

Borgie

Rumster

Durness

Ferry to Cape Wrath

Lochinver

Scourie

Kylesku

Inchnadamph NNR

Knockan Crag NNR

Laxford Bridge

Assynt

Kinlochbervie

Rhiconich

Lairg

Altnaharra

Forsinard

Helmsdale

Brora

Golspie

Latheron

Dunbeath

Halkirk

Castletown

DunnetScrabster

John o’Groats

Mey

Lybster

Lyth

A9

A9

A9

A9

A9

A99

A99

A836

A897

A897

A836

A836

A837

A837

A894

A894

A835

A839

A839

A836

A838

A836A838

A836

A836

Key to symbols

Tain

Hill o’Many Stanes

Loch of Mey bird hide

Achnavanich Stone Setting

Rosal Trail

Skelbo

3 Dunrobin Castle

5 Timespan Heritageand Arts Centre

31 AchanarrasWorld famous fossil site

11 Camster Cairns5000 year old burial site

Balnakiel Beach, Durness

The Clan Mackay Badge

30 History of Clan Mackay,Strathnaver Museum

Castle Varrich and Ben Loyal,Tongue

Smoo Cave, Durness

Camore

Carbisdale

Balblair

Achany

RosehallTrails

Lochinver Heronry

RavensRock

OrdHill

Gunn’sWood

FerryWood

Cairn of Get

Castle of Old WickYarrows

Arch. Trail

Visitor attraction(No. relates to text entry)

Tourist Information Centreother information facility

Castle

Forest with walks

Flora & fauna(Countryside Ranger ServiceScottish Natural Heritageor National Nature Reserve)

RSPB reserve orbirdwatching site with hide

Archaeological site

Whisky distillery

Museum / heritage centre

Geological site

Airport

Local Ferry

31

33

34

2

3

4

Kerrecher Ferry

30

28

6

7 8 9

10

10

11

29

27

26

24

25

2119

17

20

18

16

12

13

14

15

Cape WrathDuncansby Head

Dunnet Head

Auckengill

AchanlochyClearance Village

CastleVarrich

Syre

Kinbrace

Bonar Bridge

Ardgay

Ullapool

LedmoreKnockan

Ardvreck Castle

Skerray

Watten

Berriedale

AchanarrasNoss Head

DunDornaigilbroch

Top visitor sites in Caithness and Sutherland

Dornoch

22 St. John’s Pool & bird hide23 Artsmith-wildlife artist

studio /gallery

32

1

5

Newtonhill Community Woodland

AchvarasdalWoodlandTrail

22

23

20 John O’Groats Ferries Wildlife Cruises

17 Lyth Arts Centre

12 Clan Sinclair StudyCentre, Noss Headlighthouse

10 Waterlines Heritage MuseumLybster