A hidden gem for surfers of all levels
SURFING
Thurso East is renowned as one of the world’s top cold-water surf spots, drawing professional surfers from around the globe. But the entire North Highland coastline is a hidden gem for surfers of all levels.
Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience on the waves, you’ll find a welcoming and vibrant coastal community here. Local surf schools, board hire, and expert guidance are readily available, along with some of the most breathtaking, uncrowded beaches in the UK.
Surfing Lessons at Dunnet Beach, North Coast Watersports
With our expansive coastline, sheltered bays, and clear lochs, the North Highlands are the perfect destination for water adventures!
Whether you’re gliding across calm waters on a paddleboard, seeking thrills while windsurfing along open beaches, sailing past dramatic cliffs and sea stacks, coasteering around the coast, or wild swimming in crystal-clear waters, there’s so much to explore if you’re brave enough to jump in. Local clubs, instructors, and equipment rentals make it easy to get involved. Caithness and Sutherland provide an ideal backdrop for watersports all year round.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to hiking and walking trails in the North Highlands.
From breathtaking panoramic views and rugged coastal cliffs, to calming beachcombing wanders, dappled woodland trials and magical waterfalls, there’s always somewhere new to explore across Caithness and Sutherland, so grab your boots and get out there!
The wide-open landscapes and pristine lochs of Caithness and Sutherland make the North Highlands an exceptional destination for field sports.
Local ghillies and guides offer expert support, and a strong sporting heritage ensures a warm welcome steeped in highland tradition.
From salmon and trout fishing on world-famous rivers like the Thurso, Helmsdale and Halladale, to deer stalking and game shooting on historic estates, there’s nowhere better to experience unforgettable days in the field, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and rich wildlife.
Cycling is a fantastic way to get around the North Highlands. With quiet country roads, scenic coastal routes, and off-road trails winding through some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes, Caithness and Sutherland offer cycling adventures for all abilities.
Whether you’re after a challenging hill climb, a leisurely family ride, or a multi-day bikepacking route along the North Coast 500, you’ll find fresh air, friendly faces, and breathtaking views at every turn. With welcoming cafés and tasty tearooms along the way, you’re sure to find a sweet treat to help keep your legs moving too!
The North Highlands are a golfer’s dream, offering a blend of breathtaking scenery, challenging courses, and of course, our famed highland hospitality. The ten courses that stretch the East and North Coasts offer world-class links, majestic mountains, crystal-clear lochs and lots of local charm.
The most famous course is the Royal Dornoch, drawing golfers from all over the world. Steeped in history, this championship links boasts flawless greens, penal rough, and burns that snake through the fairways. But beyond Royal Dornoch, there is so much more to explore, and life in Caithness and Sutherland goes hand in hand with a slower pace, giving you plenty of time to enjoy golf so you don’t have to wait until retirement to make the most of it.
With our long-stretched summer evenings, you can spend even more time on the course – Caithness enjoys up to 18 hours of daylight around the summer solstice, that’s about 1-2 hours more than London.
Stargazing in our Dark Skies
With virtually no light pollution, the North Highlands are a haven for stargazing.
On a clear night, see the Milky Way stretch overhead or catch the Northern Lights dancing over the hills. Wrap up warm on those long, dark winter nights, grab your camera and a flask of tea and get out exploring Caithness and Sutherland, chasing sunsets, auroras and wishing on shooting stars.
Walking the John O’Groats Trail
This 147-mile coastal trail stretches from Inverness to John O’Groats, traversing shorelines, cliff tops, back lanes and footpaths of the Highlands.
The walk promises dramatic sea views, wildlife sightings, and quiet solitude. Local sections make for great day hikes, like the cliff-top path from Duncansby Head to Keiss, offering sweeping views over Freswick Bay, or the route from Golspie to Brora, which follows rough meadows beside the sea and passes the fairytale-like Dunrobin Castle.
Photo by Steward Yates
The most famous course is the Royal Dornoch, drawing golfers from all over the world.
