See the video produced by the RSPB
Programme of walks
Saturday, 1st May - Dunnet Head to Castle of Mey, Caithness
A magnificent coastal walk from Brough village on Dunnet Head to the Castle of Mey. Stupendous views across the turbulent Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands. Points of historical interest include a sites of Brough and St. John´s Castles and a Pictish house. Includes a visit to the Castle of Mey. Grade: Moderate. Cost: £12 to cover entrance to the Castle and return transport to Brough village. Places limited. Book early to avoid disappointment. Email: info@dunnethead.co.uk
Sunday, 2nd May Murkle to Castletown, CaithnessA coastal walk from the pretty village of Murkle to the flagstone village of Castletown with the Caithness Field Club. History, great views, birds. Time to visit the Castletown Heritage centre and Dunnet Forest. Grade: Moderate. Booking essential. Email: info@dunnethead.co.uk
Monday 3rd May Learable Hill, Strath of Kildonan, Sutherland
One of the best preserved upland prehistoric landscapes in the north of Scotland. Sites include standing stones, stone rows, stone circle, cairns to the later pre-clearance farming settlement and 19th century sheep enclosures. Grade: Moderate. Booking preferred. info@dunnethead.co.uk
Tuesday 4th May RPSB Forsinard, Sutherland
A great walk at Forsinard nature reserve with the RSPB. Set in the vast wild peatlands of North Scotland, visitor centre, unique flagstone trail through shimmering bog pools. Start time: 2.20pm. Tel: 01641 571225 during office hours. Email: forsinard@rspb.org.uk.
Tuesday 4th May; Ceannabienne hill by Durness. Guided walk over rough ground up to 383m. Approximately 4hrs. Meet at 10am @ Beach car park 4mls east of Durness Map ref NC443 653. Fine all round views, moorland wildlife and flowers. Bring lunch. Contact Donald Mitchell, Highland Council Countryside Ranger for North West Sutherland. Tel: 01971 511756
Wednesday 5th May Halkirk, Caithness
A riverside walk at Halkirk. Visit the site and history of the Gerston Distillery and the 14th Century Braal Castle. The walk is mostly flat. Views of Thurso River, Morven and Dorrery. Time taken: 2.5 hours. Grade: Easy. Distance: about 4km. Start: Ross Institute, Bridge Street, Halkirk at 10.30a.m. Finish at 1p.m.
Wednesday 5th May Rosal Clearance Village, Sutherland
A walk with the Forestry Commission to the Rosal Deserted Township (from the Viking hrassa vall - horse fields) is the remains of a once thriving Highland village, which was cleared of its inhabitants to make way for sheep. Great views of Ben Loyal over the Strath holding the River Naver. Start time: 10 a.m. Time taken: about 1.5 hours. Grade: Moderate. Distance: 3.5km. Booking essential. info@dunnethead.co.uk
Thursday 6th May RSPB, Forsinain, Sutherland
Sitting on the edge of Caithness & Sutherland’s high quality bogs, the route takes in farm fields, bog pools, riverside and woodland allowing an insight into conservation management and exciting wildlife. It starts on The Flows National Nature Reserve, part of RSPB Forsinard Nature Reserve, continues through Forestry Commission Scotland’s Forsinain Forest and returns along the privately owned River Halladale salmon river. Tel: 01641 571225 during office hours. Email: forsinard@rspb.org.uk.
Thursday 6th May; Scourie – North shore. Guided walk along the coast over rough ground. 4hrs approx. Meet at 10am @ Scourie pier picnic area. Map ref NC155 448. Fine views south to Assynt and across to Handa island. Wildlife, seabirds, geology and moorland plants. Bring lunch. Contact Donald Mitchell, Highland Council Countryside Ranger for North West Sutherland. Tel: 01971 511756
Friday 7th May Walk and wildlife cruise at John o Groats, Caithness
A walk on the wildside! Magnificent walk from Duncansby Stacks to John o Groats followed by a wildlife cruise in the afternoon. Grade: Easy. Distance: about 5km. Time taken: about an hour. Cost: £15 adults, £7 children. Booking essential. Email: info@dunnethead.co.uk.
Saturday 8th May Portskerra, Sutherland
Portskerra / Melvich audio walks - self guided but map led audio walk along the coast from Portskerra. Route one leads towards Baligill and around the village of Portskerra and Melvich beach. Route two leads around Melvich beach, Bighouse Lodge, through the peat track and along the coast and back to the old Toll pillar of the drovers route between Caithness and Sutherland. Both have stories by local people of the area and their lives. Magnificent coastal views. Pick up equipment at Halladale Inn, Melvich, Sutherland.
Saturday 8th May Dunbeath, Caithness
Dunbeath coast and strath led by local natural historian and photographer. Woodland borders the stream and the rocky gorge whilst the open moors above provide expansive views. There is a wealth of archeological remains along the way. Opportunities for photographic tuition. Start time: 10a.m. Grade: Easy. Distance: around 8km. Cost: £5 per person. Book early to avoid disappointment. Booking essential: info@dunnethead.co.uk.
Contact us: info@dunnethead.co.uk
If you prefer not to book on line, you can Download booking form (.pdf) or contact us to register your interest in the walks.
