Castletown, Dunnet and Dwarick

The fishing village of Castletown, Caithness near Thurso, is a superb location for all travellers on business or pleasure. It is the most northernly coast on the mainland of Scotland with lovely views of the sea at Dunnet Bay, and beyond to Dunnet Head. It is central to explore the fabulous landscape and wildlife, Caithness has to offer and just minutes from the Castle of Mey. Castletown in Caithness is frequently referred to as the 'Flagstone Village' reflecting its association with the quarrying and export of high quality flagstone as paving and construction material by the 18th century improver and founder of the Castlehill flagstone industry, James Traill.

Dunnet is at the north/northeast end of Dunnet Beach, which extends across three miles (5 km) towards Castletown. The most northerly point on mainland Britain is Dunnet Head (422ft), reached via a tortuous single-track road from the village of Dunnet. A more vigorous method of exploring here is to leave the car at the bottom of the hill and walk clockwise round Dunnet Head, starting from Dwarick Pier.

The A836 links the Castletown village with Thurso and Tongue in the west and with John o' Groats in the east. The B876-A99 links the village with Wick in the southeast. Take the A836 from Thurso to John O Groats. After the village of Castletown (5 miles from Thurso) the road meets the Dunnet Bay beach.

The House of the Northern Gate (sometimes called Dwarick House) sits in a commanding position on Dunnet head, overlooking the west side of the Dunnet village on the glorious beach of Dunnet Bay, backed by wildflower rich dunes. Dwarick also has beautiful coastal scenery, seabirds and plantlife. Dwarick pier in Westside, Dunnet is only a few minutes drive away. There are countless little harbours around the coast too.

Dunnet Bay - the most northerly point on the Scottish mainland and St John's loch in the top right and Dunnet Forest in the bottom right. This area has been inhabited for thousands of years

Printer-friendly version

You may also be interested in -

Peedie Sands
Over the hill from Dwarick Pier you will find a small sandy beach. This is a lovely sheltered beach and a nice walk. Beware of the cliffs though. DO NOT GO NEAR THE EDGE! The cliffs could crumble and it is always dangerous to go too near the edge.
The Castletown Flagstone Walk, Castlehill
A signposted and detailed walk taking you round the various parts of the Castlehill flagstone trail. There are plenty of details informing the visitor of the local traditional flag-stone industry in past times. If you look at the field walls in Caithness you will see two main types.
The Harbour at Castletown, Castlehill
A lovely working harbour built in the 1820's by James Bremner of Keiss for James Traill of Rattar after he purchased Castlehill House and established the flagstone industry at Castlehill Quarry.

The Harbour was built to ship the flagstone produced by the quarry. The ships used to take the flagstone would return with loads of coal, oil cake and other feed stuff.
Dwarwick pier, Caithness
Useful as a launch point for Dunnet head and an OK shore dive in its own right, big boulders tumbling onto sand at 14 metres.
Mary-Ann's Cottage or Croft
Take the A863 to Dunnet, turn toward Brough and Dunnet Head, keep straight on at the first junction (toward Dwarick Pier).
Dunnet Head, Caithness
The place where most British game fishing records are held. Fast, deep, good viz drift dive, currents, counter currents, etc. ‘Nuff said.

Launch at Dwarwick or Broch.
John O'Groats, Duncansby and surrounding area
John o' Groats (Between Wick and Thurso) is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland.