So many of our guests say “we wish we could stay longer” – and I think it’s because they don’t realise just how much there is to see and do! Don’t miss out – take a look at what there is to do here, so you get the best from your stay.
This page is just a taster – see my blogs about things to see and do on the NC500 for itineraries and inspo.
Every weekend in the summer has an event like the County Show or Highland Games. Ask about what’s on when you visit.
Take the ferry to Orkney for a day trip at any time of the year.
A sea trip round our cliffs is spectacular at any time, you may see seals or orca at any time of year, and puffins and other sea-birds in the summer.
Or if you like all the inside information on what you are seeing, book a day out Robbie Mac, Above and Beyond, North Coast Explorer or Seawolf Wildlife Tours.
Caithness provides a lot of gentle and medium walks which are perfect for children and dogs. You can look for sea-glass on the beaches, walk along beaches and cliff-tops, visit castles and neolithic ruins, or explore our hidden straths and glens. You may spot otters, rare birds, or seals (please keep your distance if there are pups with the seals).
If your kids love animals, we have petting farms, alpacas and reindeer! There’s a fairy glen for younger children, and water-sports lessons for teenagers. We even provide kites for taking to the beach!
You could spend your entire stay exploring our castles, including ruins like Castle Sinclair Girnigo or ones still very much in use like the Queen Mother’s Castle of Mey, and Dunrobin Castle down the coast.
Find out about crofters’ lives at Mary Ann’s Cottage, Laidhay Croft, and Badbea Clearance Village.
Or maybe take some trips further back in time, to our Brochs and other sites from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.
For something unique to Caithness, created by our talented artists and makers, visit Ortak at John o’Groats, The Coo’s Tail in Thurso, and Puldagon Farm Shop outside Wick. If you love learning new skills, try a landscape painting class.
For live music, check out the Sutherland Sessions and Lyth Arts.
With five local distillery tours, you are spoilt for choice whether your tipple is whisky, rum or gin.
Visit the Noss Head lens in the Museum in Wick, or the Vintage Cars at Halkirk, and find out more about retro-nuclear-tech at the North Coast Visitors’ Centre in Thurso.
We are often asked “can we see the Northern Lights?” – The answer is “yes” and “no”. There are two or three big shows each winter, but they can look dull and grey to the naked eye, and you cannot book them ahead! Read my blog Photographing the Northern Lights with your Mobile Phone for more information.
Noss Head is still a working lighthouse, so we can’t let you up because we don’t have the keys!
It pays to plan ahead a little, especially if you visit us out of season. Use Trip Advisor to check out cafes and restaurants.
This map shows you a week of things to see and do in Caithness!
If you prefer books then check out
(Transparency: If you buy from these links you will be supporting independent bookshops and we get a small commission)
We know some of these businesses have plans to re-open this summer – check their websites for details.
