CAITHNESS

Caithness is the most northerly county of the Scottish mainland. A jumping off point for nearby Orkney. There are many places of interest and things to see and do. Visit the Dounreay Nuclear Power Station, which was the world's first reactor to provide power for public use, between Scrabster and Armadale. You can't miss seeing it if you pass that way.

I am now reliably informed that Calder Hall in Cumbria has the honour of being the first atomic power plant to provide public electricity. It was opened in 1956 and the four reactors are still in use today (1997)

John o'Groats claims to be the most northerly village on the mainland

BERRIEDALE	Renowned for the steep decent on either side down to the bridge
LYBSTER	Active fishing community Golf course Octagonal shaped lighthouse
WICK	Ancient settlement of the Vikings. Glass blowing factory.
NOSS HEAD	Ruins of Castle Girnigoe (15cent.)and Castle Sinclair (17cent.) and a Lighthouse. (See reference from Portmahomack)
KEISS	Important crab and lobster centre, also 16th century castle
AUCKENGILL	Starting point for visits to brochs and other area sites
DUNCANSBY HEAD	Lighthouse
HARROW	Near the Castle of Mey, owned by the Queen Mother
THURSO	A spectacular Georgian style town
HALKIRK	Between Latheron and Thurso (Fossil displays at Mybster)
SCRABSTER	Main ferry port for sailing's to Orkney
REAY	Nice sandy bay and golf course. Presently centre of conflict with the planners who want to move it into Sutherland

It was difficult to decide where this little item should be added in and I may move it (again) but Neil M. Gunn, the North of Scotland's most famous author - writer of "The Silver Darlings", "Highland River" and others, was born in Dunbeath in 1891 and lived until 1973. A memorial cairn was erected in his memory on the Dingwall - Strathpeffer road, high on the north side of the valley.

Local visitor centers at Helmsdale, Dunbeath, Latheron, Wick and Auckengill all have interpretative panels erect as a tribute to Neil M Gunn. There is also a website !!!

Last updated: 22nd August 2000