Caithness, self catering Scotland
Situated at the very top of East Scotland, the Highland area of Caithness is steeped in history, rich in wildlife and boasts spectacular coastal walks - all within easy reach your Scottish holiday cottage.
A self catering cottage in Scotland’s Caithness region will allow you the freedom to explore the area’s stunning landscape and local attractions.
Originally home to the Picts, Caithness is an unspoilt and rural part of the Scottish Highlands and a natural habitat for wild flowers and wading birds, particularly in spring when thousands of seabirds make their nests within the cliffs at Dunnet and Duncansby. From Dunnet you will also find a track that leads to the highest lighthouse in Scotland which was visited by the late Queen Mother in 1979.
The rugged coastline of Caithness is spectacular and there are many cliff top walks with little inlets and abandoned harbours waiting to be discovered. You can also cross the Pentland Firth from Caithness and explore the network of islands which make up the Orkney and Shetland Isles. Ferries travel daily to Kirkwall, Stromness or Burwick from Aberdeen, Scrabster, Thurso and John O’Groats, and day trips are popular in the summer months.
Caithness is rich in prehistoric history and has more standing stones and stone circles than anywhere else in the UK. Some are not even mapped and known only to the friendly locals who are more than happy to share the delights of their region.
The towns of Wick and Thurso are Viking in origin and offer all local amenities and a variety of restaurants and pubs. Another large town in this area is John O’ Groats, named after the Dutchman who set up the first ferry service to Orkney in the 15th century, and charged passengers a groat to cross.
Fifteen miles east of Thurso and six miles west of John O’Groats is the Castle of Mey which was bought and restored by the Queen Mother in 1952 after she heard that it was going to be abandoned. The Queen Mother cultivated the walled two acre garden which is open to the public three days a year as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme.
Follow the link to view our extensive selection of self-catering holiday cottages in Caithness.
For details of areas within this region, use the links below.
Destination Guides in the Northern Highlands & Irelands
Return to Holiday In Scotland: Destination Guide