THE WALKING FESTIVAL IS NOW OVER FOR 2008 - the weather was excellent, but there were few walkers in evidence. Watch this space for future updates to activities in Caithness & north Sutherland! A brand new marketing initiative is planned for the 2009 festival - utilising our links with Spain, we plan to promote the festival along the route of the Camino de Santiago, thereby enhancing cultural links with Spain, which is a growing market for tourism. Given the Celtic culture of Galicia in northern Spain, and the fact that some communities in Scotland, including the Orkney Islands, are of Spanish descent as a result of the Spanish Armada travelling north when they were routed by Drake, this seems an appropriate route.

Watch this space for further developments!

About Caithness

Far to the north of Scotland lies Caithness, often known as the lowlands beyond the Highlands. Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the UK mainland at 58° 40′ 21″ N latitude and 3° 22′ 31″ W longitude, is further north than Moscow and parts of Alaska, and 1 degree latitude further north than the most northerly point of the Danish mainland, Skagen.

120 miles north of Inverness, this far flung corner often gets overlooked by visitors, which is a great pity, as there is a wealth of archaeology, history, wildlife, visitor attractions, accommodation, restaurants, and above all great walking and facilities for the great outdoors in general.
The population is about 30,000, mainly based around Thurso and Wick, but there are many outlying villages such as Halkirk (one of Scotland´s first planned villages), Dunnet (a great centre for recreation) and of course John o'Groats, the destination for many walkers and cyclists in their quest for the end to end journey from Land's End.

Thurso's wealth has, for the last 50 years, been derived from the presence of the nuclear power station at Dounreay, currently being decommissioned. Ferries from Scandanavia, Orkney and Shetland call at Scrabster, the port beside Thurso, and an increasing number of cruise liners also call in during the summer months.

Wick is a more typical northern town, with its history stretching back to Viking and medieval times. The town's herring industry in the 1800s and the influence of Thomas Telford put Wick on the map, but it has been somewhat neglected since the demise of the former. The town is now being regenerated with investment in a new harbour and the Pulteneytown area, which is home to the local distillery by the same name.

The walking

Caithness caters for all kinds of walker. From the highest peak of Morven (2315ft), to three miles of golden beach at Dunnet, and forest walks in Rumster Forest, there is something for everyone.

For easy walks, visit Achvarasdal Woods at Reay, NewtonHill Community Woodland at Wick, or Dunnet Forest at Dunnet. The Forestry Commission forests at Rumster (Caithness) and Borgie (Sutherland) also offer easy terrain and have a wealth of wildlife, birdlife and archaeology.

For moderate walks, try Dunnet Head and some of the coastal routes. The North Sea Trail, which offers a route around the periphery of the North Sea, has a section on the Moray Firth and has some great circular walks.

For more challenging terrain, try Morven (left), Scaraben, or Maiden's Pap.


See Whats On in Caithness & Sutherland:

http://www.highland.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/rangers/countrysiderangerevents.htm

Great guided walks with the Forestry Commission, RSPB, Ranger Service and Caithness Field Club.

Follow the North Sea Trail - a walk around the North Sea to discover the great coastlines of Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and in particular eastern Scotland, The trail from Inverness to John o Groats is a virtual trail. http://www.northseatrail.org/

Happy walking!