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| What to See and Do in the Area
- Click here for Map
 Rambling - the rugged, rocky coastline, dashed by the North Sea and home to an
astounding variety of birds and mammals including seals, whales and puffins, is
a ramblers’ paradise with miles of coastal pathway to wander at your leisure. Dunnet Beach – four miles of clean, golden sand – is only a few minutes away.
During the summer months daylight extends well into the evening, so you can make
a full day of it or simply kick back, relax and enjoy the fabulous sunsets in
the ‘big sky’ county.
Hoseriding – Antoinette can arrange horse and pony riding for all levels of
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 Homes and Gardens –
Mey Castle, arguably Scotland’s most famous stately home and
residence of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, is now open to the
public and a mere 17 minutes drive from Valleyview. Please see local leaflets
for other gardens to visit a little further away.
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Shooting/Fishing – grouse, rough shoots and river, sea or loch angling can be
arranged, according to season, with sufficient notice.
Expect to see Highland Cows, seals,
deer and many other native animals on your trip to Caithness.
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 Outdoor Sports – many outdoor sports, diving, surfing, sailing, cycling etc. are
catered for locally. Please e-mail any specific enquiries.
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 Castles
Sinclair and Girnigoe Castles are
situated beside Noss Head Lighthouse near Wick. Noss Head
Lighthouse is now a study centre for anyone interested in the Sinclair
family history or the mysteries of the Knights Templar. The
castles are currently in disrepair but are beautiful to look at and well
worth the trip out to see them.
There are many other Castles in
the area such as the Castle of Old Wick, Thurso Castle which is still
inhabited and was never built for defence, Keiss Castle and Bucolichie
Castle.
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Whaligeo
Steps
Whaligoe is a small natural
harbour in use at the peak of the herring fishing era.
When the boats arrived with the herring,
lit was the job of the local women to carry the herring up the steps in
baskets balanced on their heads.
There are supposed to be 365 steps, one for
each day of the year.
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 The Grey Cairns of Camster
Camster Cairn have the distinction of being
one of the oldest chambered cairns in the UK.
These are 5000 year old burial chambers
consisting of a long cairn and a round cairn.
Find out more here.
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 The
Caithness Coast - Harbours and Lighthouses
Caithness has some wonderfully picturesque
harbours.
Lybster Harbour - lovely harbour
with an amazing bridge, the Waterlines Gallery and its annual Knotty
Day. Knotty Day is a harbour day and people have arrived from all
over the world! Many yachts arrive at the harbour for Knotty Day
and there are games and celebrations to involve the whole family.
On the way down to the harbour is a parking
area with seats. Be sure to have your camera with you as you will
have a lovely view of the harbour.
Knotty day is held in August (21st August
in 2005) - the name comes from the game that is played. The game
starts at 10am when teams of both men and women play a game like hockey
using sticks (which were traditionally staves from the herring barrels)
instead of proper hockey sticks.
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 The
Waterlines Gallery tells the story of Lybster and the fishing industry
in the area. There is a lovely coffee shop with outdoor seating.
There are hands on displays
suitable for younger visitors and plenty to keep the adults absorbed
too.
There are signposted walks
from the harbour area - ask about them at the gallery. |
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