about Caithness

Ok , it dawned on me when Christina commented on a posting that many of you will probably know very little about Caithness. Hell…when I moved up here I realised a lot of true born Scots know little about the County. It’s the lowlands beyond the Highlands, neither one thing nor the other. So…here’s a little potted tour (kind of)

Map of Caithness from Calder's History - an old book of the County

Caithness is at the very top of Scotland…all those idiots brave people who cycle, run or walk backwards to John O’Groats are coming to Caithness. Go any further North on the British Mainland and you end up in the sea. Although contrary to popular believe, it is actually Dunnet head that is the most northerly place on the Mainland…not John O’Groats.

There you go...Dunnet Head seen from my garden (its the cliff in the background, Thurso is the town you can see)

There are two roads in…yes TWO. One, the A9 goes up the east coast and is where most of the traffic comes, and the other goes up the West…and is a lot wilder. Although you go through some pretty spectacular scenery to get here, once you reach Caithness it is undulating rather than hilly, can be quite bleak and is bloody windy.

Dunnet beach seen from Castletown Harbour (the beach is brilliant and massive)

Here's the beach from the other end

The place is brilliant if you like rugged scenery, wide open places, beaches that are fabulous, bird watching, hunting, shooting and fishing. I honestly don’t understand how the place isn’t more well-known…but unlike Orkney, we are run by the Highland Council...who seem to think that the world ends at Inverness.

The scenery on the way into town from my humble abode looking inland

Oh, and if you like shopping…don’t bother.

However, there are loads of artists up here and, as mentioned in a previous post, there’s a world class glass-studio. In fact, there’s a thriving community of artists, performers, writers, craftsmen and women as well as a population that is extremely friendly and welcoming….but like Brigadoon we’re rarely seen or heard.

Down by Thurso River in the summer

We have castles too….the Queen Mother made her home here in the Castle of Mey, Keiss castle here is a ruin, but there’s one further up the coast that’s still lived in. Ackergill Tower is a posh hotel which is more of a home from home that you can hire, and we have loads of old ruined ones too.

Keiss Castle, taken by me donkeys years ago

Oh, and I forgot surfing. It’s one of the top international spots for surfers. Yes, they really rate the waves, even if the water is bloody freezing!

I’m sure I’ve left some interesting snippets out…I may remember them and post another day. But for now that’s your lot.

Oh yes, we have forests too...now this was taken by an old Pictish house...rain/dust droplets or "orbs", you decide!

If you want to see some more photos I put some up on my website gallery years ago, but as they’re on another computer you’re best viewing them here: http://www.caithnessroots.co.uk/gallery.htm

So…any questions, fire away