The County in General Caithness has a rich history and a present of great natural beauty. It is unique for its areas of 'Flow Country' and it's expanses of spacious open unspoilt countryside and rich farmland. It is edged by a craggy coastline with panoramic views and many attractive harbours. The area features in the Norse sagas and was a principality of the Vikings long before it became a part of the Scottish kingdom. Earlier than that there are many signs of human habitation but who was there and if they were displaced by the Danes is shrouded in the mists of time. Subsequently the County relied on Agriculture and Fishing with the latter becoming a boom industry in the 19th Century with exports to Russia, the Baltic States and places even further afield. The flagstone industry was also a boom industry in the last century with Edinburgh's New Town and a number of American cities paved with Caithness flags.This industry is now enjoying something of a revival with exports continuing to grow particularly for prestigious city developments. Nowadays the economy is a mixed one with a number of new manufacturing and service industry developments. The County offers extensive outdoor pursuits from water sports and sea angling to rough shooting, hill walking, bird watching and a unique archaeological history. There are ample golf courses and bowling clubs together with a variety of indoor activities such as amateur dramatics and various clubs and associations. Caithness is famed for its low crime rate. Approx. 75% of all reported crimes are cleared up by the police and the reporting rate is believed to be very high. Burglaries to private homes are virtually unknown and it is an area of peace, tranquillity and safety.

Wick Wick is the most northerly town on the East coast of Britain. A fishing port in the heart of a prosperous agricultural County with an active community life. Wick, the County town with the Council offices and the Sheriff Court, offers shoppers multiple stores such as Woolworths, Boots, Somerfield and Coop supermarkets together with all 4 Scottish Banks. Furthermore there is ample free parking adjacent to the main High Street. Wick has an Airport with direct flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow and a railway link to Inverness. There is a fine links golf course with a newly built golf clubhouse.

Thurso Thurso is the second main town in Caithness and is of approximately equal size to Wick. It has an fascinating history, dating as with Wick, back to Viking times. It is the most Northerly town on the Mainland. There are ferry links to the Northern Isles and a rail link to Inverness. It also offers shoppers multiple stores such as Woolworths, Boots, Somerfield and Coop supermarkets together with all 4 Scottish Banks. There is ample free parking.

Castletown A planned Victorian village situated between the two main centres of Thurso and Wick, Castletown has the usual amenities of bank, filling station, primary school, grocers and post office. There is a secondary school in Thurso and also a college for further education. It is the home of Norfrost, a highly successful manufacturer and exporter of freezers. A feature of Castletown is the picturesque Castlehill harbour which was built to service the Caithness Flagstone industry and a tourist feature is being created closeby which is expected to attract visitors to the area. Dunnet Sands adjoining the town are well known and wonderful for walks along the beach and in the adjoining forest. A small friendly village which provides an excellent touring base for holiday makers.

John O'Groats and the North-east John O’ Groats is undoubtedly one of the best-know places in Scotland, and every year this North-East tip of Caithness sees a procession of "End-to-Enders" making the long journey to Land’s End. John O’ Groats itself is very much a focal point for tourism, and the village boasts two hotels and a guest house, a campsite, numerous B&B establishments and a number of craft shops and studios. As well as being a destination in its own right, it is also a springboard for trips across the Pentland Firth via the famous Short Sea crossing to Orkney. Although Tourism brings an extra prosperity to the area, there is a strong and welcoming local community, with a wide range of social and cultural activities, and the area is well served with all the usual amenities, including an excellent primary school locally in Canisbay, with a roll of about sixty, and a modern medical centre.

Lybster Lybster is an attractive coastal village boasting a fine harbour. All the usual shops and services are available and accommodation can be obtained from the local Hotels including the excellent Portland Arms Hotel. Golf enthusiasts will be delighted with the nine hole golf course or for those who prefer something less strenuous there is always the bowling green. Not far from Lybster are the famous Whaligoe Steps leading to a small harbour where in the past fisherfolk would land their catch.

Dunbeath The village of Dunbeath has a Primary School, Pre-school/Playgroup facilities, Church, Community Hall, Hotel, Post Office and Shop. Dunbeath village is famous for the novelist Neil Gunn and the surrounding area and its people provided inspiration for several of his novels. The Dunbeath Heritage Centre features interesting displays on the natural and social history of the area. Beautiful walks can be taken down by the Dunbeath Strath along which there are several brochs (ancient fortified houses). The harbour has fine views looking across to Dunbeath Castle. The nearest large town is Wick some 20 miles away. There is a regular bus service to the north and south.

Latheronwheel Latheronwheel Village has bus services to Wick and Inverness. There is a good Hotel, Grocer, Butcher and one mile away, a Sub Post Office, Filling Station and Church. The village road leads to a picturesque harbour and wooded or cliff walks. The children go by bus to Lybster Primary or Wick High School. There are two local GPs, each four miles away in either direction.

Watten Quiet picturesque village with shop, pub and garage. 8 miles from Wick, 12 miles from Thurso with through public transport. Situated beside Watten Loch, famous for its trout fishing.

Useful Local Information Highland Council - Inverness 01463 234121 Arcade Travel Agency - Wick 01955 604845 Tourist Office (accommodation) - Wick 01955 602596 Caithness General Hospital - Wick 01955 605050 Police - Wick 01955 603551 British Rail - Wick 01955 602131 British Rail - Inverness 01463 238924 Wick Airport - Wick 01955 602215 Gillair - Wick 01955 603914 Loganair - Wick 01955 602294

Sketch Map of Caithness

Caithness WWW links Caithness Sea Angling Caithness.org