Sutherland North Coast
North Sutherland is a unique landscape where the Highlands’ turbulent past meets a hopeful future. The evidence of the Highland Clearances can be seen throughout the far north villages of Bettyhill, Strathy and Tongue, offering up reminders of displaced communities and the hardship of daily life. History-lovers will discover ancient settlements, brochs and striking castles such as Castle Varrich on the remains of a Norse fort.
Fast forward to modern times, and the wild landscape provides new opportunities in conservation, environmental science and climate monitoring. The expansive Flow Country is the UK’s newest World Heritage Site, its blanket bog offering a unique ecosystem for a huge variety of wildlife, flora and fauna. The RSPB Reserve at Forsinard Flows offers a glimpse into the unique landscape that has endured for thousands of years.
Top three reasons to move to Sutherland North Coast:
Wild, remote beauty
From the towering mountains of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope to the abundance of fine sandy beaches, this is a landscape that begs to be explored.
Environmental opportunities
North Sutherland is increasingly attracting environmentalists and academics keen to understand the unique ecosystems and their potential to fight climate change.
Safe, friendly communities
Children can enjoy the rare freedom to explore and adventure in nature’s playground, while adults quickly integrate into the friendly community life.
Discover North Sutherland
These recent developments make the unspoilt wilderness of north Sutherland an ideal base for academic and scientific research and conservation.
It’s also an ideal base for families seeking a quieter pace of life. The north is spoilt for choice with sweeping, sandy beaches and dramatic clifftops. There are stunning scenic views taking in mountains, moorlands, rivers and lochs, and rare wildflowers bloom freely across the coast.
This is one of the last unspoilt areas of Scotland, offering a way of life that’s unrivalled in the UK.
Bettyhill
The picturesque village of Bettyhill, situated on Scotland’s north coast, offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and a peaceful pace of life within a close-knit rural community—perfect for young families seeking a more relaxed lifestyle. Farr High School, located in the village, is part of the North Coast Campus, which also includes Farr, Melvich, and Tongue Primary Schools.
Bettyhill has great local amenities, including a shop, post office, café, museum, and hotel. The North Coast Leisure Centre is a well-used community hub, with a swimming pool with sauna and spa facilities, a gym, and a regular programme of fitness classes. A local GP practice based in the village provides healthcare services to residents across the wider area.
Nature lovers are truly spoilt for choice, with the white sands of Farr Bay and the expansive Torrisdale Bay on their doorstep. The surrounding landscape is ideal for walking, cycling, sea angling, and wildlife photography.
Tongue
Tongue is one of the main crofting townships along Sutherland’s north coast, perched on the eastern shore of the Kyle of Tongue, with the majestic Ben Loyal and Ben Hope rising to the south. The village offers breathtaking views of both coast and mountain, including ruins of Castle Varrich, the ancient seat of Clan Mackay.
This picturesque location is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, especially hillwalkers and “Munro baggers,” with two of the area’s most iconic peaks just a short distance away. Northern Sutherland is also renowned for its rich biodiversity and wildlife watchers can spot everything from puffins and the rare Scottish primrose to red deer and even orcas. Across the kyle of Tongue bridge, Talmine Bay is a good place for dolphin sightings.
Tongue Primary School, part of the North Coast Campus, provides early years and primary education, while secondary pupils typically attend Farr High School in nearby Bettyhill. The village of Tongue offers a welcoming range of local amenities, including two hotels serving food, a village shop, post office, and a bakery, providing everything you need for everyday living.
The main settlement areas are Bettyhill and Tongue, with a population of around 1,000 between them. The remaining area is scattered with
picturesque crofting townships and hamlets, each having a population of a few hundred.
The energy sector is a growing employer for North Sutherland, with opportunities in nuclear decommissioning, renewables and the local supply chain. Looking ahead, conservation science and aerospace are likely to be growth sectors attracting highly skilled and educated new professionals. There is also major employment in the Highland Council and NHS Highland, with teachers and healthcare professionals in high demand.
There are small, friendly primary schools in the main villages, which feed into Farr High School in Bettyhill. Further and higher education is available virtually via the University of the Highlands and Islands, with the nearest campus located in Thurso.
There is a mix of characterful country cottages and attractive town houses in the main villages, with prices still being affordable compared to the national average.
North Sutherland is accessible by public road and is also served by rail and bus services together with some community transport operators. The busy port of Scrabster is a short drive away and offers regular ferry services to Orkney, while Wick John O’Groats Airport down the east coast operates flights to Aberdeen.
North Sutherland is served locally by GPs, dentists and opticians, with NHS Highland also offering virtual consultations via the NHS Near Me service. Further healthcare services can be found at the Dunbar community hospital in Thurso, and Caithness General Hospital in Wick. Raigmore Hospital in Inverness is the Highlands’ only district hospital, providing more specialist care.
The wild landscape of North Sutherland provides new opportunities in conservation, environmental science and climate monitoring.
Forsinard Aurora, image by Maciej Winiarczyk
Embrace the warm community spirit of the North Nighlands
