1 Historylinks Museum, Dornoch 8 Waterlines Visitor Centre, Lybster 15 Pulteney Distillery and Visitor Centre, Wick Enjoy the history of Dornoch including the Vikings, Cathedral, feuding Lybster’s history as ’s third largest herring port and the natural history Most Northerly distillery on the Scottish Mainland. Old Pulteney 21 Years clans, Scotland’s last witch, golf and the railway. Many unique films and of the area. Video and live TV of nesting bird colonies. Facilities for yachtsmen. Old wins ‘World Whisky of the Year’ in Jim Murray’s 2012 Whisky Bible slide shows. There is much to involve children. Coffee shop. awards. A tour is the ideal way to experience the traditional methods of Open April, May and October Mon – Fri. Open 7 days June – Open daily May – Sep producing our award winning whisky. September 10am – 4pm N Tel: 01593 721520 Open May - Sep Mon –Sat 10am – 4pm Oct – Apr – Mon – Fri 10am – Tel: 01862 811275 www.historylinks.org.uk 1pm/ 2pm to 4pm. Tours 11am and 2pm or by arrangement 9 Yarrows Archaeological Trail Tel: 01955 602371 www.oldpulteney.com 2 Orcadian Stone Shop, The two horned cairns known respectively as South Yarrows South and South Enjoy our wonderful display of minerals, crystals and fossils – the largest Yarrows North are located on a ridge overlooking the Loch of Yarrows and 16 Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, Noss Head private collection in Scotland. Buy gemstone jewellery, mineral form part of the Yarrows Archaeological Trail. Three chambered cairns known The finest medieval/ renaissance castle in the north of Scotland and the specimens, fossils, stone giftware, geological maps and books. as Warehouse North, South and East can be seen on the ridge to the south only one to be listed by the World Monuments Fund. Currently the Open Easter – October of the Loch. A fine example of a broch (Iron Age tower) stands on the subject of a preservation programme. Tel: 01408 633483 www.orcadianstone.co.uk lochside, and a number of Bronze Age hut circles are visible along the trail. Open all year Tel: 01955 606700 www.sinclairgirnigoe.org 3 Dunrobin Castle, Golspie 10 Thrumster Station Dunrobin Castle dates from 1400 and contains magnificent displays of Thrumster Station on former Wick- Lybster light railway with picnic area and 17 Lyth Arts Centre furniture, paintings and family silver. Falconry displays and natural walks to woodland and archaeology sites A unique and attractive arts venue presenting a wide programme of history museum. Formal gardens, tearooms and gift shop. music, theatre and visual art with summer exhibitions of work by both Open daily from 1 April – 15 October 11 Camster Cairns, Historic Scotland established British and foreign artists as well as the best fine art and craft Tel: 01408 633177 www.dunrobincastle.co.uk The Grey Cairns of Camster remain among the best preserved chambered by local artists. Tea/coffee and home baking available. cairns in Northern Scotland. Careful excavation and restoration makes them Open daily July and August 2pm – 5pm. 4 Timespan Heritage & Arts Centre, Helmsdale accessible to visitors. N Tel: 01955 641434 www.lytharts.org.uk Explore the history of East by visiting this fascinating Open all year round museum and arts centre. Regularly changing heritage and visual arts www.historic-scotland.gov.uk 18 Broch Centre, Auckengill exhibitions. Quality local art and craft shop. Relax in the riverside cafe. An ambitious high quality exhibition looking at who lived in the brochs, Open Mon – Sat 10am-5pm/ Sun 12pm-5pm 12 Study Centre, Noss Head, Wick who excavated them and the legacies the brochs bring to the present N Tel: 01431 821327 www.timespan.org.uk A collection of 3000 books and other research material which is a must for day communities.. scholars and historians who are interested in Scottish history, Freemasonry, Open Apr – Sep Mon – Fri (plus Sat July & Aug) 10.30am – 4.30pm 5 Dunbeath Heritage Centre The Crusades and Knights Templar. Tel: 01955 631377 Explore the rich past of a Caithness strath. Neil M. Gunn’s “ Tel: 01955 606700 River” and “Silver Darlings” landscape. Local history, guided walks, art 19 John O’Groats Ferries installations and archaeology exhibition. Bookshop. 13 Caithness Archive Centre, Wick Day tours of the Islands from John O’Groats every summer Open Sun – Fri 10am – 5pm Apr – Sep / Mon – Fri 11am – 3pm Oct – As part of the Highland Council Archive Service, the Caithness Archive Centre morning - Let us take you away for a fascinating day out. Wildlife Mar Tel: 01593 731233 is responsible for collecting, preserving and making accessible archives relating cruises from John O’Groats harbour run daily at 2.30pm from 20 June to the history of the county of Caithness. to 31 August. 6 Clan Gunn Museum, Latheron Opening hours: Mon, Tue & Thu 10am – 1pm, 2pm - 5.30pm Fri 10am – Open daily May – Sep 8am – 8pm Follow one of Scotland’s oldest clans from its Norse origins to the 1pm, 2pm - 5pm Wed, Sat, Sun - closed. Tel: 01955 611353 www.jogferry.co.uk present day, its skirmishes with other local clans and the Scotsmen who Tel: 01955 606432 www.highlandarchives.org.uk/caithness.asp discovered America before Columbus. Video presentation, clan archive 20 The and shop. 14 Wick Heritage Museum The Queen Mother’s home in Caithness with walled garden, animal Open daily June – Sep Tel: 01593 741700 The largest museum in the North of Scotland. Allow at least 1.5 hours for centre, tearoom and gift shop. your visit. There is enough nostalgia and information to last you a lifetime! Open May – Sep, closed 26 July – 9 August 7 Northshore Pottery & Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm Last entry 3.45pm Tel: 01847 851473 www.castleofmey.org.uk Patricia Niemann Jewellery, Latheron Tel: 01955 605393 www.wickheritage.org www.johnstoncollection.net Studio and showroom shared by Jenny Mackenzie Ross, potter and 21 St. John’s Pool & bird hides, Brough sculptor, and Patricia Niemann, goldsmith and designer. One-off items A unique birdwatching experience in Northern Scotland of stoneware, porcelain, fine jewellery, glass and textiles made on site. Hide open all year. Open Mar – Dec Wed-Sat 10am – 5pm N www.stjohnspool-birds.co.uk Tel: 01593 741777 www.patbat.com

22 Mary Ann’s Cottage, Dunnet 27 RSPB Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve Historic croft cottage showing how successive generations of one family Visit our 4 star visitor centre at the Forsinard Nature Reserve on the A897 lived and worked over 150 years. Display of 19th century farming between Melvich and Helmsdale. Be green, get the train from Inverness, implements. Visitors are personally conducted on a tour which brings to or Wick, straight to the door. Discover the bog pools and wildlife of life Mary-Ann’s story. the flow country on a guided walk with one of our staff or use one of our Open June – Sep 7 days a week 2pm – 4.30pm leaflets to explore at your own pace! Free entry Tel: 01847 851765 Open Visitor centre April – October 9am – 5pm. Free entry. Guided walks www.caithness.org/community/musuems/maryannscottage Tues & Thurs May to aug. Self-guided trails open all year; Dubh Lochan trail 1 mile, Forsinain Trail 4 miles (a 10 minute drive from Forsinard to the start/finish 23 Seadrift Centre Countryside Ranger Base point) Visit the Seadrift Centre to be introduced to life around Dunnet Bay and Tel: 01641 571225 www.rspb.org.uk/Forsinard beyond, season by season. Have fun discovering all about the local Top attractions in Caithness & Sutherland wildlife, geology and history with the interactive displays. Chat to the 28 Strathnaver Museum local Countryside Ranger based here to learn even more about what to The theme of the museum is the tragic story of the Highland Clearances as see in the area. Free entry. well as artefacts from crofting life during the 19th century. Dedicated Clan Open May, June and Sep 2pm – 5pm July and August 12.30pm – 5pm Mackay room. except Thurs and Sat. Open Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm closed Sun N Tel: 01847 821531 N - ground floor only. www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/what-to-see/rangers/ Tel: 01641 521418 www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk Email: [email protected] 29 North West Highlands Geopark, Assynt Fifth edition - 2012 24 Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown Scotland Geopark, extending over 2000sq km, comprising some of Britain’s Heritage trail round site of 19th century flagstone works. Magnificent finest mountain and coastal landscapes with a wealth of classic rock coastal setting. Eco-friendly heritage visitor centre, garden and formations which are internationally recognised for geological research. archaeological research lab. Themed exhibitions, displays and traditional Email: [email protected] skills workshops. Picnic area. www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk Open Wed, Sat and Sun 2pm – 4pm other times by arrangement Tel: 01847 821204 www.castletownheritage.co.uk 31 Ferrycroft Visitor Centre, Lairg 4 star visitor attraction. New family friendly displays, touch screens, listening 25 Caithness Horizons, Thurso posts. Wildlife, archaeology, local history, hydro scheme and the mart. Tourist The restored Thurso Town Hall and Carnegie Library is an accredited Information Centre. museum and 5 star visitor attraction that interprets the history of Open Easter to October admission free. Caithness. Permanent and changing exhibitions, audio visual theatre, N Tel: 01549 402160 www.visitlairg.com shop and cafe. Free entry. N Open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm all year round Sun 11am – 4pm April – Produced by Caithness & Sutherland Visitor Attraction Group Sep Design and artwork by Designsmith Tel: 01847 896508 www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk Photographs courtesy of Caithness Biodiversity Group Information correct at time of publication – March 2012 26/30/32 Scottish Natural Heritage National Nature Reserves (NNR) and other sites ranging from Achanarras Fossil Quarry (26) and geological trails at Knockan Crag (30) to coastal woodlands of Loch Fleet NNR (32) For more information visit www.nnr-scotland.org.uk 21 St. John’s Pool & bird hide

Top visitor sites in Caithness and Sutherland 21

Smoo Cave, Durness Castle Varrich and Ben Loyal, 11 Camster Cairns 26 Achanarras Tongue 5000 year old burial site World famous fossil site Loch of Mey bird hide

Dunnet Head 20 19 John o’Groats Balnakiel Beach, Durness 22 Duncansby Head Cape Wrath Mey A836 Dunnet A9

A836 24 23 Dounreay A99 Durness Thurso 25 Castletown Reay 17 Auckengill 18 Lyth Arts Centre Strathy Lyth Ferry to Cape Wrath 28 A836 Melvich 18 Skerray Achvarasdal A838 Bettyhill Woodland A836 Trail Halkirk 16 17 19 John O’Groats Ferries Tongue Achanlochy Noss Head Wildlife Cruises The Badge Clearance Achanarras Borgie Village Watten Castle 26 13 Clan Sinclair Study Varrich A897 Newtonhill Wick Centre, Noss Head Community lighthouse Rhiconich 123 Achnavanich Woodland Stone Setting Castle of 17 Lyth Arts Centre Yarrows Old Wick 134 Laxford Bridge A836 Arch. Trail Dun 10 Dornaigil 11 9 145 2385 History of Clan Mackay, Scourie broch Syre Forsinard Hill o’Many 11 Waterlines Strathnaver Museum A894 27 Cairn of Get 156 Rosal Trail Stanes Heritage Museum Lybster A9 A99 Rumster

Lybster 8 12 Clan Sinclair Study Latheron Centre, Noss Head A894 Altnaharra 6 7 lighthouse Kylesku Kinbrace Dunbeath Kerrecher Ferry 5

A837 2396 8 Waterlines Assynt Berriedale Heritage Museum A9 Lybster Lochinver Heronry A897 Ardvreck Castle A838 Lochinver Inchnadamph NNR Archaeological site Key to symbols A836 Helmsdale Whisky distillery 10 Visitor attraction 4 (No. relates to text entry) Tourist Information Centre 31 Museum / heritage centre Ledmore other information facility Knockan Lairg Castle Gunn’s Geological site 30 Wood A835 Rosehall Ferry Forest with walks Wood A839 Knockan Crag NNR Trails Airport Ord A839 3 Flora & fauna Hill 4 Timespan Heritage A837 (Countryside Ranger Service and Arts Centre Local Ferry Achany 32 A9 Golspie Scottish Natural Heritage or National Nature Reserve) 2 Ravens Rock Surfing Balblair RSPB reserve or birdwatching site with hide Carbisdale Skelbo Ullapool Bonar Bridge Ardgay Dornoch 3 Dunrobin Castle A836 1 Camore

A9