The north and northwest Highlands - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 264

WALKING AND CYCLING AROUND WICK
Ordnance Survey Explorer map 450
There's a good clifftop walk to the ruins of Sinclair and Girnigoe castles on a needle-thin
promontory three miles north of Wick. They functioned as a single stronghold for the earls of
Caithness - in 1570 the fourth earl, suspecting his son of trying to murder him, imprisoned
him in the dungeon until he starved. From the harbour of fishing hamlet Staxigoe , head
north to Field of Noss farm and follow the line of the cliffs. At Noss Head lighthouse, an access
road leads to a car park, from where a path leads to the castles on the north coastline. It's a
great cycling route: the roads near Noss Head are flat and straight, though can be buffeted
by strong winds.

By bus Local buses run to John O'Groats then Thurso;
long-distance routes to and from Inverness involve a
coordinated change at Durneath.

Destinations Inverness (Mon-Sat 4 daily, Sun 3 daily; 3hr);
John O' Groats (Mon-Fri 6 daily, Sat 4 daily; 30-35min);
Thurso (Mon-Fri 6 daily, Sat 4 daily; 30-35min).

ACTIVITIES
Caithness Sea Coast T 01955 609200, T caithness-
seacoast.co.uk. Harbour tours (30min; £10) plus longer
tours to spot wildlife and admire the high cliffs south (from

£17) in a fast RIB. The operator also runs longer trips to
Lybster (3hr; £45), including one-way trips in either
direction (£28). All April-Oct.

ACCOMMODAT ION AND EATING
The Clachan 13 Randolph Place T 01955 605384,
W theclachan.co.uk. A four-star B&B on the main
road south of Wick, a 5min walk from the centre. So,
easy to find and easy to enjoy in spotless modern
rooms in a private section of the house, all simply but
tastefully fu rnish ed by an owner who goes the extra
mile to help. £80

Mackays River St T 01955 602323, W mackayshotel
.co.uk. On-going renovation has introduced fresh contem-
porary cool - oversized headboards, streamlined oak
furnishings and iPod docks. First-floor rooms are brightest.
Its No.1 Bistro serves the likes of lemon-and-garlic roast
chicken with Moroccan spices plus fish an d chips (mains
average £14). Daily 10.30am-9pm. £107

4