Exploring Caithness

The Pulteney Distillery, Wick Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been crafted here since 1826 and a trip round the distillery makes for  a good day out.
Enjoy a complimentary dram or  purchase your own hand-filled bottle from the cask selection. Old Pulteney's fascinating history is also brought to life by the distillery's excellent visitor centre  Pulteney Distillery, Huddart Street, Wick Telephone 01955 602 371 for information or visit www.oldpulteney.com

Artsmith Studio Brough, Dunnet Head Gallery of paintings by artist Julian Smith of ArtSmith. Studio opening details can be found at www.artsmith-caithness.co.uk 

Mary Ann's Cottage Westside, Dunnet Historic cottage showing how successive generations of one family lived and worked for 150 years. Open June to September Tuesday to Sunday. Tel 01847 851765

SeaDrift Visitor Centre, Dunnet Caithness and Sutherland wildlife display. Open June to September. Offers a programme of walks and talks through the summer months. Tel 01847 821531

Dunnet Forestry Trail Lovely peaceful woodland perfect for sheltered walks. Explore the forrest for roe deer buzzards and wild flowers, or take the sculpture trail featuring work by local artists. www.dunnetforest.org

The Castle of Mey The late Queen Mothers Caithness residence. Open at Easter with a range of events. Then opens May 1st for guided tours of the Castle. The beautiful new Visitor Centre has a cafe serving lovely food, and a shop selling all sorts including products made from fruit and vegetables grown in the Castle gardens. www.castleofmey.org.uk

Caithness Horizons, The Old Town Hall Thurso A trip to Caithness Horizons is a must. Opened this year, this venue provides a hub for all sorts of interesting information on Caithness past & present. Children & adults alike will find it a fascinating experience. There is also a cafe. Open Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 8.00pm & Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm Tel: 01847 896508 www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk

Sea Trips

SeaCoast Geo Explorer Boat Take a trip around the shores of Caithness and visit castles, sea caves and stacks, see wildlife, harbours and lighthouses.  Private charter prices start at £20 per person. www.caithness-seacoast.co.uk

Sailing Holiday If you have your own boat there are plently of slip-ways and piers from which you can launch your boat. Brough Bay is meters from the Croft, and Dwarick pier in Westside, Dunnet is only a few minutes drive away. There are countless little harbours around the coast too.

John o'Groats Ferry Take a day-trip to Orkney or get close to nature with the 90 minute wildlife cruise. www.jogferry.co.uk

Relaxation

Far North Therapies Tailor-made complementary therapies include reflexology, reiki, hopi-ear candles, and indian head masage. Tel 07788656733 www.farnorththerapies.co.uk

The Croft Pamper Pack  Or stay at home and relax as a qualified therapist comes to you in the comfort of The Croft. We have a FAR infrared health sauna coming soon. You can also arrange for a Croft spa pack which contains Luxury L'Occitane en Provence Goodies, complimentary spa slippers and face cloth, extra fluffy towels. Just ask when you book.

Surfing

Surfing Surf the world class wave at Thurso East, or try Brimms Ness, point of Ness, Thurso Beach or Dunnet Beach. The surf cafe and shop at Thurso harbour sells good food and a selection of surf clothing and equipment.

Food & Drink

Dining In

Fish and shellfish  Fine fresh sea food is available from the fish-shop in Thurso, Scrabster Harbour and from the weekly fish van which visits Brough every Thursday afternoon, you can dine on local scallops, crab, mussels,and salmon to name but a few. For a special event, you can pre-order fish and shell-fish which we will ensure is delivered fresh to your door. Just ask when you book.

Meat There are several excellent butchers in Caithness. The Castletown Meat Company is on your doorstep and supplies delicious Scottish fresh meats, Local eggs, Haggis, and game. Thurso has several good butchers including Bews on Princess Street.

Caithness Goose Company Get yourself a goose for Christmas. These geese roam the Caithness counrtyside grazing on natural food and are available to order in several sizes for Christmas, along with a tub of superb Caithness Goose Fat in which to roast your tatties & chipolatas.

Supermarkets We have the usual smattering of supermarkets for convenient shopping. In Thurso you will find Tesco, Co-op and Lidl. There is a huge Tesco in Wick, which will deliver if you place orders online.

Localy produced Honey

Halkirk Strawberries

Preserves

Caithness Cheese Company, Lybster

Dining Out

The Captains Galley, Scrabster  Award winning restaurant serving around 20 different species of seafood each week and upwards of ten on any one night - always fresh and always local Scottish produce, the menu changes every day after the chef's routine visit to the pier, where he picks only the freshest and best quality fish from the market and directly from the boats which land their catches in Scrabster.
www.captainsgalley.co.uk

 

Castlehill Heritage Trail, Castletown

Camster Cairns

Northlands Viking Centre, Auckengill

Last House museum, John 'O'Groats

Dunnet Information Point, Dunnet

Lyth Arts Centre Has a programme of music theatre and visual art. Occassionally art classes and courses available. www.lytharts.org.uk

Wick Heritage Museum

Achanarras Fossil Quarry

North Highlands Geopark, Assynt 

Walking

Mountain Biking

Children's Activities

Art

Fishing

Archeology

Golf Thurso and Reay have good golf courses