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most North Westerly community in mainland Britain, and has
an abundance of attractions for any kind of visitor. Below
is a little information on some of these attractions. For
more information you can contact the Tourist Information
Office in Durness on 01971 511259 or visit the community
website at
www.durness.org |
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Natural
Beauty - Durness is an area of geological interest
with some of the oldest rocks in the world found here.
With little industrial development in the area, Durness
remains an unspoilt natural wilderness in and below are
a number of specific sites of attraction. |
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Smoo Cave |
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This is the
largest sea cave in Britain, and is accessed
down a flight of stairs. The cave itself is
floodlit making it an accessible and
impressive attraction all year round.
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In the summer
tours are available with a boat trip across
the waterfall pool and into the inner cave.
Besides its natural beauty there is evidence
of its use by man dating back 6000 years,
with a number of myths attached to it... For
more information
Click Here |
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Faraid Head |
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A wonderful
walk, this peninsula reaches out into the
sea from Balnakeil Beach. In the summer you
can find puffins nesting amongst the cliff
tops. |
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The dunes here
are impressive and guided walks are
available in the summer from the Countryside
Ranger. This is also a good place to watch
for Whales, Dolphins, Porpoise and Seals.
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Cape Wrath |
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This is the
most North-Westerly point in mainland
Britain. A passenger ferry across the Kyle
drops you at a road and from there you could
walk, cycle or catch a bus along this remote
corner of the country. |
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A beautiful
and barren landscape, the Clo Mor Cliffs are
found here. At 281m, they are the highest
sea cliffs in Britain. At the end of the
road is the Cape Wrath Lighthouse, built in
1827 it as stunning sea views. |
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Loch Eriboll |
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A large sea
loch to the east of Durness, it is now used
primarily for fish-farming. With a back drop
of mountains a drive around its shoreline is
beautiful and a walk out to Whiten Head
offers an superb opportunity in Autumn for
seal spotting. |
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The Loch also
has long Naval history, with a lot of
activity during the Second World War. The
North Atlantic U-Boats surrendered here in
1945. |
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Geo Park |
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Durness and
the surrounding area sits at the corner of
the North West Highlands Geopark. Scotland's
first Geopark, it part of global network of
territories with exceptional geological
features. |
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The area
surrounding Durness offers amazing
opportunity to explore the landscape in the
most sparsely populated corner of Europe.
For more information
Click Here |
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| Culture and
History - There is evidence of mankind in this
area dating back 6000 years. Evidence of the long
history is evident in the ruins and buildings of the
area, and in the culture of today. |
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Highland
Gathering |
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On the
last Friday in July Durness hosts the
Highland Gathering, where you watch
traditional competitions such as tossing
the caber and highland dancing. Events
are open to anyone who fancies a
challenge! |
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There's
also less traditional events such as tug
of war, tip the bucket and the pillow
fight for those who want a laugh! |
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Balnakeil
Craft Village |
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On the way
to Balnakeil beach an M.O.D. Early
Warning Station has been converted into
a craft village. Here you can find a
wide range of craft shops from
woodcarving to ceramics. |
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Balnakeil
House |
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On the
site of an older castle, this mansion
house was rebuilt in 1744. It was one of
the homes of the Chief of the Clan
Mackay, although likely started as a
summer palace for the Bishops of
Caithness. |
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Souterrain |
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This
underground passage was built in the
first century AD. Is purpose is unclear,
but consists of a narrow entrance with
steep short steps leading down to a
passage with ends in a small chamber.
Flooded after rain, it is worth
exploring in summer. The entrance is
marked by two small cairns on the
roadside on the way to Laid. |
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Balnakeil
Church |
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Founded in
722 by St. Maelrubha, the ruins of this
church overlook Balnakeil Bay. Inside
the church is the grave of Donald
MacMurdo, a local tyrant who murdered at
least eighteen people. |
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The
graveyard contains the grave of Rob Donn,
a famous Gaelic poet, and also a mass
grave of the people killed when the
emigrant ship the 'Canton' sank off
Faraid Head. |
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Dun
Dornaigil |
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South of
Loch Hope are the impressive remains of
a Broch, a defensive tower typical of
the highlands. |
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| Sports and
Activities - The geography of the area
offers a unique environment for outdoor
enthusiasts. |
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Hiking |
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Durness is fantastic location to
base your walking holiday. With the
hills of Foinaven and Arkle nearby
and the most Northern Munro Ben Hope
only a short drive away hill walking
enthusiasts have plenty of scope for
adventure. For those who prefer a
little less uphill, the coastal
paths offer peace and wonderful
views, and Ranger Walks run in the
summer to show you the area.
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Golf |
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Nine
greens with eighteen different tees,
this golf featured on Peter Alice
has spectacular views over Balnakeil
Bay and Cape Wrath. Not to be missed
by golfing enthusiasts, guests are
welcome. |
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Surfing |
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With
nearby beaches on the West Coast,
and local north facing breaks,
Durness has some of the most
consistent swell on mainland
Britain. With the range of beaches
somewhere will inevitably be
offshore. For more details check
SurfWrath.com |
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Cycling |
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As the
North West corner of the British
road system, cycling through and
around Durness is very popular.
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Kayaking |
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With
the number of inlets, bay and coves
in the area, Sea Kayaking around
Cape Wrath and along the North Coast
is popular in summer. Durness makes
an ideal base for this sport. |
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Coasteering |
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For
those after something a little
different, why not try coasteering.
Explore the coast by swimming,
scrambling and jumping and see
caves, arches and other features you
would never otherwise find. For more
details contact Fergus on fergus@surfwrath.co.uk |
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Cape
Wrath Challenge |
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A week of running events,
culminating in a marathon out on
Cape Wrath. For more information
Click Here |
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| Beaches
- Here's a quick guide to some of the
beaches in the area. |
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Sango
Sands |
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Right in front of the campsite,
this lovely beach is dotted with
rocks and easily accessed. |
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Ceannabeinne |
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A
short drive out of Durness, this
white sand beach is more secluded
with azure blue waters. |
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Balnakeil Bay |
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This long stretch of sand
extends out along Faraid Head.
One of the more sheltered
beaches. |
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Sandwood Bay |
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Extremely remote, this beach can
only be accessed by a four and a
half mile walk. Stunning in its
seclusion. |
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