Golf
The nine hole Golf Course at Durness is the most northerly golf course on mainland Scotland, as well as being quite the most spectacular. The carpet of wild flowers is wonderful. There are many other golf courses such as Reay, near Thurso, Bonar Bridge, Ardgay, a links course at Golspie, and the renowned Royal Dornoch golf course.
Birdwatching
The whole area is fantastic for bird life. Dippers can be spotted on the riverbanks and there are usually several species of duck around, and even swans at certain times of the year. Birds of prey may be seen soaring in the sky, including the golden eagle. Puffins are seen on the rocks around Cape Wrath. Both the rare Black and Red throated Divers may be seen at certain times of year. This area is a paradise for casual bird watchers and committed bird watchers alike.
Woodcock Shooting
amongst the birch woods in the late autumn woodcock shooting is a challenging pursuit.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
A trap is available for a bit of clay pigeon practice, or just some fun with friends.
Hill Walking & Climbing
Ben Hope is more or less on the doorstep so should be tackled by the keen climbers. It is the most northerly Munro (a Munro being over 3000 feet) and nearby Ben Klibreck is also a Munro popular with hill walkers. Near to Tongue there is the more spectacular Ben Loyal which is 2504 feet high. Melness is a good area for cliff walks.
Local Attractions
The nearby Pictish Broch is one of the best preserved examples of this type of building on the Mainland. The triangular lintel over the doorway is unusual.
A walk up to the Waterfall is a must. This burn provides both the water and the electricity for the houses.
Loch Eriboll is a deep sea loch which was used by the Navy in the second World War but it now supports a fish farm and a mussel farm. The drive around the loch is fairly spectacular and just before the village of Durness there is one of the lovely sandy beaches of the area.
Durness (1
hour) is a small village where provisions may be obtained
and there is a petrol station. The wonderful sandy beach
at Balnakeil is
just beyond the village close by the Golf Course. The Craft
Village has some interesting and varied small shops including
a good Book Shop and Coffee Shop, and there is a delicious
chocolatier called Cocoa Mountain where one can get a welcome
hot chocolate along with some amazing truffles.
Durness now has a memorial to John Lennon of Beatles fame
as he spent many of his childhood holidays in this area.
Handa
Island off Scourie is
an unhabited Nature Reserve. One can get there by boat
from Tarbet, and early summer
is the best time for a visit.
In Dornoch,
the county town of Sutherland, stands the most northerly
Cathedral on the mainland. Built
in 1222 using the local pink sandstone. Close
by is the 16th Century Dornoch
Castle originally built
as the Palace for the Bishops of Caithness. This
is now a Hotel.
Dornoch
lays claim to having the third oldest Golf
Club in the
world, the game having been brought here in the 16th Century
by the monks from St Andrews.
A
little farther north up the coast is Dunrobin Castle with
its magnificent garden.
A visit to the famous Smoo Caves should not be missed. These are the largest limestone caves in Britain.
A trip to Cape Wrath Lighthouse involves a short ferry crossing and a 10 mile bus journey to this most north westerly corner of the mainland. The cliffs there support a large colony of seabirds, including puffins at certain times of year.
Melness (35 mins) - on the way look out for the seals lying on the sandbanks at low tide. An area for cliff and beach walks. Surfing can be good at Strathan Beach and the Craggan Hotel is noted for its excellent food
Tongue (35 mins). The nearest shops are in Tongue where most provisions may be obtained, as well as petrol. There is also a Craft Shop and two Hotels with restaurants and bars. The lovely Coldbackie beach is just east of Tongue
Travelling eastwards, Bettyhill has the famous Torrisdale beach closeby which is a large expanse of sand and great sand dunes. There is an indoor swimming pool in the village and also the Strathnaver Museum which relates to the story of the Clearances in this area.
Beyond Thurso and the Castle of Mey there is John o' Groats and the lighthouse at Duncansby Head.
