Luxury 4 Star Gold B&B, 10 minutes south of Thurso Tel: 01847 841391
Lighthouses
Dunnet Head Lighthouse
The Lighthouse at Dunnet Head
marks the most northerly tip of
mainland UK. Built in 1832 by the
Stevenson family, at 300 feet
above the Pentland Firth. The
Queen Mother visited the
Lighthouse on many occasions and
on her last visit on 8th October
1979, Mr Malcolm, Principal
Lightkeeper, gave a conducted tour
of the station. The Queen Mother
later had tea with Mr Malcolm and
his wife and met the other
lightkeepers and their families
residing at the station.
The RSPB monitor the sea-birds at
Dunnet Head.
Lybster Lighthouse
By 1859 Lybster Fishery had 357
boats fishing for herring and over
3,200 employees including 1,469
fishermen.In 1884 a new concrete
wall was built and the Lighthouse.
Around 20 boats use the harbour
today. Visit Waterlines Cafe and
Maritime Museum with views out
to sea.
Stroma Lighthouse
Off the most northern tip of Stroma
lies The Swilkie, the most
dangerous whirlpool in the
Pentland Firth, where 4 or 5 tides
meet. The Lighthouse was built in
1890 on the most northern tip at
Langaton Point. Stroma is the
most southerly island in the
Pentland Firth, just over 2 miles
north-west of John O’Groats and is
part of Caithness.
Duncansby Head Lighthouse
The true north-easterly point of
mainland UK is at Duncansby
Head. From the Lighthouse, follow
the signposted walk across the
moorland to the geosclaites where
thousands of sea-birds come in to
nest. Kittiwakes, razorbills, shags
fulmars, cormorants, guillemots,
and from mid April to the end of
July, puffins come in from the shore
to nest in little burrows on the
craggy cliff face.
Continue the coastal walk to the
spectacular sea-stacks, and
stunning views south to Thirle
Door.
Holborn Head Lighthouse
The Walking is splendid…
allow 2 hours !
From Scrabster Harbour head
toward Holborn Lighthouse and
follow the coastal path over many
stiles, past geo, gloups, high cliffs
and caves to Robertson’s Point and
Holborn Quarry, where many
fossils still remain. Head inland
across the barren moorland and
follow the track road where a
Caithness stone sculpture can be
seen on the right. Over a gate
which may need to be climbed and
down the steep steps back to
Scrabster Harbour.
Noss Head Lighthouse houses the
library for Clan Sinclair, although
open by appointment only.
Park at the Lighthouse, adjacent to
the picnic area, and follow the track
road which leads to the ruins of
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe.
The Castle is perched on a small
sandstone stack between two
geos. A drawbridge leads to the
interior of the castle ruins.
Breathtaking walks to view the Lighthouses of Caithness…
In 1901, the population of Stroma reached an all-time peak of 375 and declined to just 12 by 1961.
These last few islanders left the following year. Stroma is now owned by one of its former inhabitants and used to graze sheep.
Wick Harbour, South Pier Lighthouse
A short tapered hectagonal shape
built into the harbour breakwater.
Clyth Ness Lighthouse was built in 1916
on top of the cliffs at Clyth, 4km east of
Lybster and now privately owned.
