Dunnet Head

Description

Start from the car park at Dwarwick Pier and follow the track past the picnic area. On the walk round the coast from Dwarwick over the rise of Dwarwick Head you will descend to the ruins of an old cable house which marks the end of a former telegraph cable which linked Caithness with Orkney.

Along the cliff walk to Chapel Geo you will see a great variety of sea birds on the cliff ledges. Near this geo the remains of a monk's cell can be seen.

From here, head uphill until the slope is more gentle. Seals may be seen basking on the rocks below. The next three miles to the lighthouse are rough and boggy. You will pass the Long Byres where, early this century, the Brough crofters milked their cows in summer.  A herd boy looked after the cows which were herded into the Byres to be milked by the village women who carried the milk home. The east side of headland towards Brough is very rough and heathery until you reach Sinigeo.

Access Info

From Dunnet village follow the B855 over a little bridge after about 50 yards, and instead of bearing right carry straight on towards West Dunnet. Turn left past Mary Ann's cottage (open June to September) and follow signs to Dwarwick Pier.

Additional Info

The cliffs support many breeding seabirds - fulmars, kittiwake, guillemot and razorbill. This site also supports smaller numbers of shag, arctic skua, great skua, herring gull, great black backed gull, black guillemot and puffin.

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