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 April, May and October Mon – Fri. Open 7 days June –September 10am – 4pmTel: 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, mineralspecimens, fossils, stone giftware, geological maps and books. Open Easter – OctoberTel: 01408 633483 www.orcadianstone.co.uk

3 Dunrobin Castle, GolspieDunrobin Castle dates from 1400 and contains magnificent displays offurniture, paintings and family silver. Falconry displays and naturalhistory museum. Formal gardens, tearooms and gift shop.Open daily from 1 April – 15 OctoberTel: 01408 633177 www.dunrobincastle.co.uk

4 Timespan Heritage & Arts Centre, HelmsdaleExplore the history of East Sutherland by visiting this fascinatingmuseum and arts centre. Regularly changing heritage and visual artsexhibitions. Quality local art and craft shop. Relax in the riverside cafe. Open Mon – Sat 10am-5pm/ Sun 12pm-5pmN Tel: 01431 821327 www.timespan.org.uk

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

6 Clan Gunn Museum, LatheronFollow one of Scotland’s oldest clans from its Norse origins to thepresent day, its skirmishes with other local clans and the Scotsmen whodiscovered America before Columbus. Video presentation, clan archiveand shop. Open daily June – Sep Tel: 01593 741700

7 Northshore Pottery & Patricia Niemann Jewellery, Latheron

Studio and showroom shared by Jenny Mackenzie Ross, potter andsculptor, and Patricia Niemann, goldsmith and designer. One-off itemsof stoneware, porcelain, fine jewellery, glass and textiles made on site. Open Mar – Dec Wed-Sat 10am – 5pmTel: 01593 741777 www.patbat.com

8 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 for yachtsmen.Coffee shop. Open daily May – SepN Tel: 01593 721520

9 Yarrows Archaeological TrailThe two horned cairns known respectively as South Yarrows South and SouthYarrows North are located on a ridge overlooking the Loch of Yarrows andform part of the Yarrows Archaeological Trail. Three chambered cairns knownas Warehouse North, South and East can be seen on the ridge to the southof the Loch. A fine example of a broch (Iron Age tower) stands on thelochside, and a number of Bronze Age hut circles are visible along the trail.

10 Thrumster StationThrumster Station on former Wick- Lybster light railway with picnic area andwalks to woodland and archaeology sites

11 Camster Cairns, Historic ScotlandThe 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 www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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

13 Caithness Archive Centre, Wick As part of the Highland Council Archive Service, the Caithness Archive Centreis responsible for collecting, preserving and making accessible archives relatingto the history of the county of Caithness. Opening hours: Mon, Tue & Thu 10am – 1pm, 2pm - 5.30pm Fri 10am –1pm, 2pm - 5pm Wed, Sat, Sun - closed.Tel: 01955 606432 www.highlandarchives.org.uk/caithness.asp

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!Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm Last entry 3.45pmTel: 01955 605393 www.wickheritage.org www.johnstoncollection.net

15 Pulteney Distillery and Visitor Centre, Wick Most Northerly distillery on the Scottish Mainland. Old Pulteney 21 YearsOld wins ‘World Whisky of the Year’ in Jim Murray’s 2012 Whisky Bibleawards. A tour is the ideal way to experience the traditional methods ofproducing our award winning whisky. Open May - Sep Mon –Sat 10am – 4pm Oct – Apr – Mon – Fri 10am –1pm/ 2pm to 4pm. Tours 11am and 2pm or by arrangementTel: 01955 602371 www.oldpulteney.com

16 Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, Noss HeadThe finest medieval/ renaissance castle in the north of Scotland and theonly one to be listed by the World Monuments Fund. Currently thesubject of a preservation programme.Open all yearTel: 01955 606700 www.sinclairgirnigoe.org

17 Lyth Arts CentreA unique and attractive arts venue presenting a wide programme ofmusic, theatre and visual art with summer exhibitions of work by bothestablished British and foreign artists as well as the best fine art and craftby local artists. Tea/coffee and home baking available. Open daily July and August 2pm – 5pm.N Tel: 01955 641434 www.lytharts.org.uk

18 Caithness Broch Centre, AuckengillAn ambitious high quality exhibition looking at who lived in the brochs,who excavated them and the legacies the brochs bring to the presentday communities..Open Apr – Sep Mon – Fri (plus Sat July & Aug) 10.30am – 4.30pmTel: 01955 631377

19 John O’Groats Ferries Day tours of the Orkney Islands from John O’Groats every summermorning - Let us take you away for a fascinating day out. Wildlifecruises from John O’Groats harbour run daily at 2.30pm from 20 Juneto 31 August. Open daily May – Sep 8am – 8pmTel: 01955 611353 www.jogferry.co.uk

20 The Castle of Mey The Queen Mother’s home in Caithness with walled garden, animalcentre, tearoom and gift shop.Open May – Sep, closed 26 July – 9 AugustTel: 01847 851473 www.castleofmey.org.uk

21 St. John’s Pool & bird hides, BroughA unique birdwatching experience in Northern Scotland Hide open all year.N www.stjohnspool-birds.co.uk

22 Mary Ann’s Cottage, DunnetHistoric croft cottage showing how successive generations of one familylived and worked over 150 years. Display of 19th century farmingimplements. Visitors are personally conducted on a tour which brings tolife Mary-Ann’s story.Open June – Sep 7 days a week 2pm – 4.30pmTel: 01847 851765www.caithness.org/community/musuems/maryannscottage

23 Seadrift Centre Countryside Ranger Base Visit the Seadrift Centre to be introduced to life around Dunnet Bay andbeyond, season by season. Have fun discovering all about the localwildlife, geology and history with the interactive displays. Chat to thelocal Countryside Ranger based here to learn even more about what tosee in the area. Free entry. Open May, June and Sep 2pm – 5pm July and August 12.30pm – 5pmexcept Thurs and Sat. N Tel: 01847 821531 www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/what-to-see/rangers/ Email: paul.castle@highland.gov.uk

24 Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown Heritage trail round site of 19th century flagstone works. Magnificentcoastal setting. Eco-friendly heritage visitor centre, garden andarchaeological research lab. Themed exhibitions, displays and traditionalskills workshops. Picnic area. Open Wed, Sat and Sun 2pm – 4pm other times by arrangementTel: 01847 821204 www.castletownheritage.co.uk

25 Caithness Horizons, ThursoThe restored Thurso Town Hall and Carnegie Library is an accreditedmuseum and 5 star visitor attraction that interprets the history ofCaithness. Permanent and changing exhibitions, audio visual theatre,shop and cafe. Free entry.N Open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm all year round Sun 11am – 4pm April –SepTel: 01847 896508 www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

26/30/32 Scottish Natural HeritageNational Nature Reserves (NNR) and other sites ranging from AchanarrasFossil Quarry (26) and geological trails at Knockan Crag (30) to coastalwoodlands of Loch Fleet NNR (32) For more information visit www.nnr-scotland.org.uk

27 RSPB Forsinard Flows National Nature ReserveVisit our 4 star visitor centre at the Forsinard Nature Reserve on the A897between Melvich and Helmsdale. Be green, get the train from Inverness,Thurso or Wick, straight to the door. Discover the bog pools and wildlife ofthe flow country on a guided walk with one of our staff or use one of ourleaflets to explore at your own pace! Free entryOpen Visitor centre April – October 9am – 5pm. Free entry. Guided walksTues & Thurs May to aug. Self-guided trails open all year; Dubh Lochan trail 1mile, Forsinain Trail 4 miles (a 10 minute drive from Forsinard to the start/finishpoint) Tel: 01641 571225 www.rspb.org.uk/Forsinard

28 Strathnaver MuseumThe theme of the museum is the tragic story of the Highland Clearances aswell as artefacts from crofting life during the 19th century. Dedicated ClanMackay room. Open Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm closed SunN - ground floor only. Tel: 01641 521418 www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk

29 North West Highlands Geopark, AssyntScotland Geopark, extending over 2000sq km, comprising some of Britain’sfinest mountain and coastal landscapes with a wealth of classic rockformations which are internationally recognised for geological research. Email: info@northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk

31 Ferrycroft Visitor Centre, Lairg4 star visitor attraction. New family friendly displays, touch screens, listeningposts. Wildlife, archaeology, local history, hydro scheme and the mart. TouristInformation Centre. Open Easter to October admission free.N Tel: 01549 402160 www.visitlairg.com

Produced by Caithness & Sutherland Visitor Attraction GroupDesign and artwork by Designsmith

Photographs courtesy of Caithness Biodiversity GroupInformation correct at time of publication – March 2012

Top attractions in Caithness & Sutherland

Fifth edition - 2012

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

4 Timespan Heritageand Arts Centre

26 AchanarrasWorld famous fossil site

11 Camster Cairns5000 year old burial site

Balnakiel Beach, Durness

The Clan Mackay Badge

28 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

Surfing

29

31

32

2

3

Kerrecher Ferry

28

27

5

6 7

8

10

11 9 10

26

25

24

22

23

20

17

19

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

21 St. John’s Pool & bird hide

30

1

4

Newtonhill Community Woodland

AchvarasdalWoodlandTrail

21

19 John O’Groats Ferries Wildlife Cruises

17 Lyth Arts Centre

12 Clan Sinclair StudyCentre, Noss Headlighthouse

8 Waterlines Heritage MuseumLybster