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.
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
You may also be interested in –
- Castlehill Community Woodlands and Sculpture Trail
- Castletown Heritage Society (CHS)
- Dunnet Forest and Beach at Dunnet Bay to Dunnet Head
- Dunnet Head Information Centre and Educational Trust
- Horse riding routes in the Dunnet area
- Mary-Ann’s Cottage or Croft
- Peedie Sands
- The Castletown Flagstone Walk, Castlehill
- The Harbour at Castletown, Castlehill
