Top Things to do in Caithness and Sutherland
Top Restaurants in Caithness and Sutherland
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Caithness and Sutherland, Scotland
Discover the best top things to do in Caithness and Sutherland, United Kingdom including Sandwood Bay, Sango Bay, Ben Stack, Balnakeil Beach, Durness Beach, Oldshoremore Beach, Achmelvich Beach, Dunbeath Castle Gardens, Polin Beach, Kyle Of Tongue Tongue.
Restaurants in Caithness and Sutherland
1. Sandwood Bay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By 292islaw
We started the walk just before 9am and were the only two on the beach when we got there around 80mins later. The walk to the beach is relatively flat with a couple of small ups and downs. There is a stunning backdrop of the larger mountains in the area and small lochans are dotted along the way. Once you turn the final curve of the land Sandwood Bay stretches out to the left with Sandwood Loch to the right. A stunning view with mountain, lochs and coastline in one panorama. The water was tinted with turquoise and there are big dunes leading to the beach front. I would absolutely recommend the 13km round walk and would also recommend going early ish to get pass the night campers on their way back and to miss the day visitors heading down a little later. There is a donation box in car park for John Muir Trust who cleans the car park facilities and ensures the natural, remote beauty of Sandwood Bay is maintained.
2. Sango Bay
3. Ben Stack
4. Balnakeil Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By 454kateg - Strachur, United Kingdom
Beautiful big, quiet beach with clean white sands clear azul water below challenging golf course, interesting ruined church and graveyard
5. Durness Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 390 reviews
Reviewed By drjasonclark - London, United Kingdom
I went here for my 50th birthday. It was stunning and very very special. White sand, blue sea, and freezing cold (it was January!). A must-visit part of the UK.
6. Oldshoremore Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By mtk67 - East Kilbride, United Kingdom
What a fabulous beach and worth a detour if driving the North Coast 500. Car park with toilets and a short walk to beach. Sandy with waves crashing on rocks, surrounded by hills and some fields with highland cows! We spent a very pleasant couple of hours here and had to tear ourselves away to continue the drive.
7. Achmelvich Beach
8. Dunbeath Castle Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Enjoy the beautiful gardens at Dunbeath Castle. Situated close to the North Sea coast, these gardens contain over 1600 plant varieties. To visit, please telephone or fill in the enquire form Please note the gardens are open by appointment only and the castle is not open to to the public.
Reviewed By VisitBlighty
I was intrigued to see the garden at Dunbeath. On the NC500 website they promote it, but I felt it was not made clear enough there that you have to book a tour ahead of time. On the Dunbeath website this is obvious. I had done so and had shared some really pleasant dialogue with the lady who deals with bookings. I was a solo visitor yet this proved no problem. It was a delightful experience. I must say they were amazing, despite my OCD planning I ended up arriving early, but they were happy to accommodate me which was a treat. Despite some rain clouds whilst I was at Dunrobin, by the time I arrived at Dunbeath I found it covered in a glow of sunshine. I felt like I was in on a secret driving down the enchanting drive and peeping into a wonderful fairytale like courtyard. I was met by the head gardener who was born to the role and then some. He was fabulous and personally took me all around the garden. I’m not my mother’s daughter as my green fingers are non existent, but I could still delight in this oasis of a garden. A real jewel and full of all sorts of enchanting corners and features. There is a greenhouse stocked and displayed as if it’s ready to go to Chelsea, but then the whole garden perching on a cliff above the wild North Sea is full of delicate flowers. There are three main areas of the garden: the walled garden is the most complete and magical for sure with its Unicorn sundial that has an amazing history, the secluded summerhouse, hidden seats and a raft of slate statues which are splendid. It’s wonderfully British and romantic and known as the Southern Garden. It’s a collection of rooms if you will and borders exploding with scent and colour. We then crossed the main drive in front of the castle which of course is an impressive edifice to see and into the Northern garden which I was less keen on. I gather they use it for weddings and other functions and it has an Asian theme. I found one of the buildings a bit off putting, but horses for courses I guess and then lastly the garden where the old laundry basins have been converted into a spectacular water feature which is incredible to see and wonderfully peaceful. At the end of the tour I enjoyed a fab cup of tea in the lovely tea room and a scummy array of biscuits and other sweets which was an unexpected and lovely way to end the tour before hitting the road again. I would thoroughly recommend you add this as part of your visit in these parts. It’s a joyous experience, exclusive and peaceful.
9. Polin Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By teelouise89 - York, United Kingdom
Absolutely stunning beach with white sand and beautiful blue waters. We came down from the footpath on the right of the beach (from Sheigra Campsite) and the view walking down toward the beach was amazing. We took our shoes off and went for a little paddle even though the weather was pretty awful - it just looked so good! I would definitely recommend this beach - the only downside for me, was coming from the hills there appeared to be a dead whale washed up in the corner of the beach, that was mostly bones but had quite a strong smell (I suppose that might be interesting for some?) however it's easily avoidable, especially if you come from the direction of the car park!
10. Kyle Of Tongue Tongue
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By S9690RQpauls
Stayed at a the wonderful Elfie Log pod in Tongue and had the pleasure of walking a little of the local area and it is wonderful from the causeway to the castle on the hill it is totally spectacular and is a gem in the north of Scotland
