Tours of Scotland, Caithness

The northern coast offers a rich variety of scenery, from tall storm-swept cliffs to gentle sandy bays. The interior offers equally dramatic contrasts between low-lying windswept bogs and dramatic mountain peaks. Fishing boats shelter in the area's many harbours. Numerous nature reserves protect the moorland's rich plant and animal life, with sea birds to the fore.

Armadale
Hamlet of crofters' cottages heated in winter by peat fires. Set in Armadale Bay with fine view of sandy beach and sweep of shallow water. Main road leads over two burns, Allt Beag and Armadale, both with twin stone bridges, old and new.

Auckengill
John Nicholson, 19th-century antiquarian, extensively studied this region's ancient remains. Old school house opposite his home now a museum of region's early human history, a useful starting point for visiting brochs and other area sites.

Balnakeil
Old Ministry of Defence early warning station is unlikely setting for craft centre; visitors can watch various crafts, ranging from book-binding and weaving to jewellery and candle-making. The ruined church of 1619 has monument to Celtic bard Rob Donn.

Bettyhill
Crofting centre and resort above Torrisdale Bay. To north is Farr Bay, where precious stones can be found. Salmon fishing in River Naver and trout in Loch Naver, 15 miles inland. Church dating from 18th century houses museum of local history. Outside museum is Farr Stone, an early Christian Celtic stone.

Canisbay
Village with 19th-century church. Inside church is 1558 memorial to Jan de Groot, who started ferry service to Orkney in 1496. When residing in nearby Castle of Mey, the Queen Mother attends ser-vices at Canisbay Church.

Cape Wrath
Red-rock headland rising 360ft from sea, topped by 7Oft light-house. The Parbh -- 100 square miles of peat-bog, heather, scrub and rock -- lies inland. Only link to cape from outside world is ferry across Kyle of Durness. Cleit Dhubh, or 'Black Cliff, rises 850ft from sea south-east of cape.

Castletown
Well-ordered village built for men working in nearby quarries. Castletown's stone has paved the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh; stone was sent out from neighbouring harbour of Castlehill--also built of this stone.

Dounreay
Experimental nuclear power station's 135ft steel dome dominates flat coastal area. It was
world's first fast reactor to provide power for public use. Oounreay Exhibition tells story of nuclear power and has guided tours.

Dunbeath
Harbour is home to small fishing fleet. Dunbeath Castle still lived in but closed to public. Lhaidhay Caithness Croft Museum displays typical 18th-century complex with house, byre and stable all under one roof. Old village school houses heritage centre.

Duncansby Head
Far north-eastern tip of mainland where lighthouse stands high above entrance to Pentland Firth.

Dunnet Head
Most northerly point of British mainland. Viewing platform pro-vides 3600 view over 300ft cliffs, taking in Cape Wrath and Duncansby. Lighthouse stands below viewpoint, its walls battered by stones thrown up by Pentland Firth in rough weather.

Durness
Crofting village spread out along coast. Along shore is three-chambered Smoo Cave. Its main chamber, over 200ft deep and 110ft wide, is accessible by foot. Allt Smoo burn flows from moor-land and drops 80ft into deep pool inside second cavern.

Grey Cairns of Camster
Well-preserved burial chambers 2 miles north of Camster date from New Stone Age, beginning 6,000 years ago. Visitors can crawl down passage into chambers. Long cairn is nearly 200ft. Legless skeletons found in round cairn.

Halkirk
Village based on local quarries that mined stone for street paving. The Fossil Centre at Mybster has displays on local flagstone industry.

Handa Island Nature Reserve
Steep cliffs on three sides of island packed with sea birds in summer.
Moorland interior is also home to variety of birds, from skuas to golden plovers.

Harrow
Area's best-known building is Castle of Mey, the Queen Mother's summer residence. Its gardens open occasionally in summer. Castle Arms Hotel, Mey, has royal photographs display. Quarries shipped flagstones from harbour a century ago.

Hill o' Many Stanes
Bronze Age stone formation on hillock. Rows of small stones form a fan-like formation possibly for astronomical purposes.

Invernaver
Nature reserve with notable dwarf shrubs. Skelpick long barrow is 200ft long with two burial chambers blocked by massive capstones. Remains of Iron Age settlement with tower stand on rocky slope.

John o'Groats
Claims to be mainland Britain's most northerly village, named after founder of ferry service to Orkney in 1496, Jan de Groot. Water mill established 1750 operates under original family.

Keiss
Harbour is important crab and lobster centre. Keiss Castle, 16th century, stands near private 18th-century castle. Three-mile stretch of sand on Sinclair's Bay lies south.

Kinlochbervie
Area's busiest fishing port has double harbour. Nearby Blairmore starts trail to Sandwood Bay.

Kylestrome
Village at meeting point of three lochs, Kylesku is across water. Boat trip up Loch Glencoul gives views of Britain's highest water-fall, 650ft Eas a Chual Aluinn.

Lybster
Active fishing community; broad street runs down to harbour with octagonal lighthouse at its entrance. Church has finely carved Celtic cross.

Noss Head
Rocky point north of Wick is crowned by two ruins. Castle Girnigoe, 15th century, has keep on cliff edge. Castle Sinclair dates from 17th century.

Sandside Bay
Broad bay, with harbour of Fresgue to one side and village of Reay sheltering behind dunes. Small whitewashed church of 1740 has gallery for laird and family.

Sandwood Bay
Pink, pale sand and grassy dunes, usually deserted except for sea birds and, legend has it, mermaids. Beach lies 4 miles north of Blairmore, accessible by rough track. Swimming not advised.

Scrabster
Begun as port for loading flagstones, town is now main ferry port for Orkney. Path leads up past lighthouse to cliffs of Holborn Head. Sailing club, sea angling.

Skirza
Iron Age broch stands on a spur thrusting out from cliffs. Its hollow walls are 14ft thick and enclose an interior 22ft across.

Thurso
Britain's most northerly mainland town was laid out as Georgian 'new town' by Sir John Sinclair. Ruined Church of St Peter dates back to 13th century. Thurso Castle, largely rebuilt, dates from 17th century. Heritage museum.

Tongue
Village has gabled church, built 1680. Its boxed wooden gallery was once used by Mackay clan. Angling in Loch Loyal, 4 miles south. Ruined 14th-century Cais-teal Bharraich, built on Viking lookout spot.

Wick
Ancient settlement, Vikings once sheltered here. Name comes from Norse Vik, 'bay'. Town plan is medieval, but buildings are mostly 18th century. Visitors can watch handmade glass being blown at Caithness Glass.