Dunbeath and Lybster Area

Dunbeath was the birthplace of Neil Gunn (1891-1973), author of The Silver Darlings, Highland River etc., many of whose novels are set in Dunbeath and its Strath. Up from the harbour and just before the Telford bridge, which carries the old A9 road, is the Well pool. This is the pool where the famous opening scene in Highland River takes place where Kenn has his battle with the salmon.

Windswept Dunbeath Castle perches on the clifftop on the opposite side of the bay and perched right on the edge and said to have underground tunnels.

Between the harbour and the castle lies the wreck of the Gretafield, an oil tanker that struck a mine during the Second World War and drifted, on fire, into Dunbeath bay.

The acres of decking looks like sea bed. It has been known for divers to spend a complete dive swimming around on it looking for the wreck.

Further out the form becomes more apparent especially the heavy machinery.

As little as ten years ago the amount of recorded rock climbing in Caithness was very limited. In particular the East coast was unexplored.

Wreck of a steam trawler 300 metres east of the breakwater. Totally broken up.