Caithness, Scotland: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

Stacks At Duncansby Head
Stacks At Duncansby Head
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Neil Aitkenhead

Caithness is located on the most north eastern part of mainland Scotland, and serves as the most northern county in Britain to still claim royal connections. It is a roughly triangular shape, bounded to the south and west by Sutherland, and to the north by the Pentland Firth. The vast open landscape, relatively flat, also known as the flow country, is rich in archaeological remnants of a bygone age. There are notable mountains in the south-west corner, including Morven, the highest peak in the region. The geological features of the Caithness coastline feature soaring sea stacks, raucous colonies of sea birds, and vertically faced headlands jutting out into the wild waters of the Pentland Firth. Across the Pentland Firth, ferries link Caithness with Orkney, and Caithness also has an airport at Wick.

Almost all settlement are along the coast, with the major towns being Wick, on the North Sea coast, and Thurso, in the north.

The Caith element of the name Caithness comes from the name of a Pictish tribe known as the Cat or Catt people, or Catti (see Kingdom of Cat). The -ness element comes from Old Norse and means “headland”. The Norse called the area Katanes (“headland of the Catt people”), and over time this became Caithness.

The Gaelic name for Caithness, Gallaibh, means “among the strangers” (referring to the Norse). The name of the Catti survives in the Gaelic name for eastern Sutherland, Cataibh, and in the old Gaelic name for Shetland, Innse Chat.

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Visiting Caithness for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Caithness on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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Best things to do and See in Caithness

Best Day Trips from Caithness

A day trip from Caithness offers the perfect opportunity to escape the urban rhythm and discover the surrounding region's charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic countryside, historic villages, or cultural landmarks, the area around Caithness provides a variety of easy-to-reach destinations ideal for a one-day itinerary.

1. Castle of Mey

Mey Castle
Mey Castle
CC BY-SA 40 / August Schwerdfeger
The Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland, is a restored royal residence on the far north coast, around six miles west of John o’ Groats. Set above the Pentland Firth, it combines a 16th-century castle, walled garden, and visitor facilities in one compact stop.The castle is best known for its link to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who restored it…
Location: Castle Of Mey, Mey, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8XH | Hours: 10.20am-5pm May-Sep, last entry 4pm | Price: adult/child £11.75/6.50 | Website | Distance: 13.5km
Visiting Castle of Mey

Here is a complete selection of hotel options in Caithness. Feel free to review each one and choose the stay that best suits your needs.

2. Dunnet Head & Dunnet Head Lighthouse

Dunnet Head Lighthouse
Dunnet Head Lighthouse
CC BY-SA 1.0 / Peter_Glyn
Dunnet Head & Dunnet Head Lighthouse in Caithness, Scotland, is a coastal viewpoint and lighthouse site at the northernmost point of mainland Britain. It sits on a windswept peninsula above the Pentland Firth, reached by road from Dunnet village and the surrounding coastal area.Visitors come here for the open sea views, cliff-edge scenery, and the chance to see seabirds nesting…
Visiting Dunnet Head & Dunnet Head Lighthouse

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3. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
CC BY-SA 1.0 / Peter_Glyn
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe in Caithness, near Wick, is a ruined coastal castle set on a narrow headland above Sinclair Bay. It combines two linked structures: the earlier Castle Girnigoe and the later Castle Sinclair. The site is reached on foot from the car park by a short path and footbridge, with the ruins exposed to sea air and open views…
Visiting Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

4. Wick Heritage Museum

Heritage Centre Wick 02
Heritage Centre Wick 02
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Braveheart
Wick Heritage Museum in Caithness, Scotland, is a local history museum near Wick Harbour, housed in a group of traditional buildings in Lower Pulteneytown. It focuses on the town’s fishing past and the trades that grew around it, including boat building, coopering, and rope making. The museum’s rooms contain working tools, domestic reconstructions, maritime objects, and restored boats that help…
| Hours: Museum open Easter - end October, 10am - 3.45pm, Monday - Saturday | Distance: 18.2km
Visiting Wick Heritage Museum

5. Wick Harbour

Inner Harbour, Wick, Caithness
Inner Harbour, Wick, Caithness
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Alex Passmore
Wick Harbour is one of the things to do in Wick for visitors interested in maritime heritage, coastal scenery, and the town’s vibrant fishing past. This sheltered inlet on the Caithness coast was once the beating heart of Europe’s herring trade, with thousands of boats crowding its waters each summer during the 19th-century boom. Today, it remains a working harbour,…
Location: Wick Harbour, Wick, UK | Hours: 24 Hours. Accessible year-round. | Price: Free. | Distance: 18.3km
Visiting Wick Harbour

6. Grey Cairns of Camster

A Neolithic burial long cairn at Camster
A Neolithic burial long cairn at Camster
CC BY-SA 2.0 / David Shand
Grey Cairns of Camster in Caithness, Scotland, is a pair of Neolithic chambered cairns set in open moorland between Watten and Occumster. This archaeological attraction includes a round cairn and a long cairn, both dating to around 3500 BC.The site matters because it preserves two of the best-known prehistoric burial monuments in northern Scotland, with narrow passages, stone chambers, and…
Visiting Grey Cairns of Camster

7. Castle of Old Wick

Old Castle Wick
Old Castle Wick
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Flaxton
Old Wick Castle is one of the top sights in Wick, a stark and atmospheric ruin perched on a narrow promontory high above the North Sea. Often called “The Old Man of Wick,” this ancient tower house dates back to the 12th century and is considered one of Scotland’s oldest surviving castles. Its lonely silhouette, lashed by sea winds and…
Location: Castle Of Old Wick, March Road, Wick, UK | Distance: 19.7km
Visiting Castle of Old Wick

8. Duncansby Head

Duncansby Head lighthouse
Duncansby Head lighthouse
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Russ McLean
Duncansby Head in Caithness, Scotland, is a coastal attraction on the far northeast of the British mainland, just beyond John o’ Groats. It is a windswept headland with a lighthouse, exposed clifftop paths, and wide views over the North Sea.Visitors come here for the Duncansby Stacks, the seabird-filled cliffs, and the sense of open coastline shaped by wind and waves.…
Visiting Duncansby Head

9. Noss Head Lighthouse

Noss Head Lighthouse
Noss Head Lighthouse
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Doug Lee
Noss Head Lighthouse in Caithness, Scotland, is a working coastal lighthouse just outside Wick on a windswept peninsula above Sinclairs Bay. It is part of the area’s maritime landscape rather than a museum-style attraction, and visitors usually come for the setting as much as the structure itself. The tower stands at the edge of a private site, with access to…
Visiting Noss Head Lighthouse

10. Whaligoe Haven

Whaligoe Cliffs
Whaligoe Cliffs
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Glen Breaden
Whaligoe Haven in Caithness, Scotland, is a natural harbour below a sheer line of cliffs, reached by the Whaligoe Steps near Wick. It is a coastal attraction shaped by both geology and work, with a narrow inlet, stone-built landings, and a long stairway descending from the clifftop to the water.Visitors come here for the setting as much as the harbour…
Visiting Whaligoe Haven

11. Badbea

Badbea Clearance Village
Badbea Clearance Village
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Postdlf
Badbea in Caithness, Scotland, is a former clearance village on the clifftops south of Berriedale. It is a small historic site, reached by a footpath from a signposted car park off the A9, where visitors can walk among ruined stone houses, low walls, and a memorial set in open coastal ground.The site matters because it records the lives of families…
Visiting Badbea

12. Sutherland

Sandwood Bay
Sandwood Bay
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Phillyacct
Experience the most incredible landscapes and seascapes. Sutherland makes up a large part of the North Coast 500, and will leave a lasting memory too. From the dramatic north-western scenery, where the mountains meet the sea, to the varied lands of the east – with scattered fishing communities, award winning golf courses, fairy tale castles, archaeological wonders and quaint harbours.…
Visiting Sutherland
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13. Dornoch

Dornoch beach
Dornoch beach
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Neil Aitkenhead
Dornoch is a town, seaside resort, parish and former royal burgh in the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies on the north shore of the Dornoch Firth, near to where it opens into the Moray Firth to the east. The name 'Dornoch' is derived from the Gaelic for 'pebbly place', suggesting that the area contained pebbles…
Visiting Dornoch

14. Inverness

Inverness pano
Inverness pano
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Avarim
Inverness meaning "Mouth of the River Ness" is a city in the Scottish Highlands. Inverness attracts visitors from across the world for its natural landscapes, quaint towns, medieval ruins, and prehistoric sites. Located in the Scottish Highlands, it’s a great place for nature lovers looking to explore its vast landscape. There are many hiking and cycling trails of various lengths…
Visiting Inverness
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Where to Stay in Caithness

The best place to stay in Caithness depends on whether you prefer a town or a more remote setting. Thurso is a great base for exploring the region, offering hotels and guesthouses with easy access to the North Coast 500 route and ferry connections to Orkney. Wick is another good option, especially for those wanting to explore the historic Castle of Old Wick and enjoy coastal scenery.

A 2 to 3-day stay is ideal for visiting the region’s dramatic cliffs, castles, and ancient cairns. A longer 4 to 5-day stay is recommended for those wanting to explore the coastline at a relaxed pace, visit Orkney on a day trip, or enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife spotting.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Caithness. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Caithness Accommodation Map

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