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Cave
Smoo Cave
Large combined sea cave and freshwater cave at Durness, fed by the Allt Smoo stream; guided tours run in season.
A mini guide to
Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats
Sea caves, sandy bays, the mainland's northernmost points and the ferries to Orkney
Photos
1 / 9Welcome to the area
Sea caves, sandy bays, the mainland's northernmost points and the ferries to Orkney
The north coast runs along the A836 from Durness, around 120 miles north of Inverness, past Loch Eriboll, Tongue and Bettyhill to Thurso, the northernmost town on the island of Great Britain. Smoo Cave, Balnakeil Bay and the Kyle of Tongue are in Sutherland; Caithness begins further east.
Beyond Thurso, Dunnet Head is the northernmost point of mainland Britain and Duncansby Head the north-eastern corner, with John o' Groats between them. Ferries to Orkney leave from Scrabster and Gills Bay, and the route turns south through Wick towards Inverness.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Beach and ruined church
Balnakeil Bay and church
Wide bay at the mouth of the Kyle of Durness beside the ruined Balnakeil Church, a scheduled monument.
Beach and ruined township
Ceannabeinne
Ruined township east of Durness, beside a sandy beach looking out to Eilean Hoan.
Sea loch
Loch Eriboll
Sea loch about 16 km long, long used as a sheltered anchorage, with 19th-century lime kilns at Ard Neakie.
Ruined castle
Castle Varrich
Ruin on a rocky high point above Tongue and the Kyle of Tongue, linked with the chiefs of Clan Mackay.
Museum
Strathnaver Museum
Volunteer-run museum in Bettyhill, open since 1976, telling the story of north-west Sutherland through the Highland Clearances.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Fill up when you can
Villages between Durness and Thurso are far apart, so keep the tank or battery topped up and plan where to stop.
2
Check opening before a long drive
The Castle of Mey, Smoo Cave tours and Cocoa Mountain all have seasonal hours. Check their websites first.
3
Book Orkney crossings in summer
NorthLink sails from Scrabster and Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay; book vehicle space ahead on busy dates.
4
Take care on cliff paths
Dunnet Head, Duncansby Head and Holborn Head have unfenced cliff edges. Keep dogs and children close, especially in wind.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats
Photo credits
- Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats (area photo): Paul Hermans (derivative work: Hogweard), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Smoo Cave: Bubobubo2, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Balnakeil Bay and church: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ceannabeinne: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Loch Eriboll: Dorcas Sinclair, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Castle Varrich: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Strathnaver Museum: Strathnaver Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Holborn Head: Gestumblindi, CC0, source
- Wolfburn Distillery: Htayler, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dunnet Head: Asterion (English Wikipedia), CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Castle of Mey: Orikrin1998, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- John o' Groats: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Duncansby Head: Russ McLean at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, source
- Castle Sinclair Girnigoe: Dorcas Sinclair, modified by Sir Gawain, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Pulteney Distillery: K. Schwebke at de.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, source
- Whaligoe Steps: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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