Book Now

Things to do in Caithness from the Ulbster Arms Hotel

Caithness is Scotland’s most northerly mainland county, where cliffs drop into the Pentland Firth, Neolithic cairns sit in open moorland, and a royal castle looks across to Orkney. Best of all, the distances are all manageable from the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Halkirk. In fact, almost every attraction below sits within 40 minutes of our Caithness location.

So, whether you have a single afternoon or a full week, here’s our guide to Caithness things to do and see.

Book A Caithness Hotel

The Castle and Gardens of Mey

Thirty minutes north of the Ulbster Arms Hotel, the Castle of Mey holds a special place in Scottish hearts. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother bought the castle in 1952 and restored it, spending part of every summer here until 2001. It remains the only property she ever owned outright.

The walled garden is also sublime. Built to withstand relentless northern winds, it produces flowers, fruit and vegetables in conditions that shouldn’t allow it. Inside, the rooms remain much as the queen left them, giving visitors an unusually personal glimpse of royal life. The castle opens seasonally, typically May to September, so check dates before travelling.

Afterwards, the drive back to Halkirk takes just half an hour, with dinner waiting at the Ulbster Arms Hotel.

 

Stay with the Ulbster Arms Hotel

Dunnet Head: Mainland Britain's Most Northerly Point

Forget John O’Groats, because Dunnet Head in Caithness holds the real title of mainland Britain’s most northerly point, and it’s a truly dramatic place to stand. The RSPB reserve here sits atop towering sandstone cliffs, roughly 30 minutes from the Ulbster Arms Hotel.

Seabirds nest in their thousands between April and July, too, including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Andon clear days, Orkney appears close enough to touch across the Pentland Firth. Meanwhile, the Victorian lighthouse, built by Robert Stevenson, completes one of Scotland’s most epic coastal views. Bring layers, however, because the wind up here means business.

Nearby, Dunnet Bay offers two miles of pale sand, perfect for walking off lunch. Stay with the Ulbster Arms Hotel and you’re 25 minutes from both.

 

Stop at the Ulbster Arms Hotel
Dunnet Head Sign and Lighthouse

Whaligoe Steps and Thrumster - underrated things to do in Caithness

South of Wick, the village of Thrumster in Caithness makes a great anchor for a day of quieter discoveries. Close by, the Whaligoe Steps descend 330 hand-cut stone steps down a cliff face to a natural harbour once used by herring fishermen.

It’s a steep climb back up, but the sense of history makes it worthwhile. Women once carried baskets of herring up these very steps to sell in Wick. And nearby, the Yarrows Archaeological Trail links chambered cairns, standing stones and a broch across open moorland, while the Grey Cairns of Camster rank among Britain’s best-preserved Neolithic tombs.

Allow around 35 minutes from Halkirk, where your Caithness accommodation awaits.

Stay at the Ulbster Arms

Caithness Glass: A Local Legacy

Caithness Glass began in Wick in 1961, founded to bring skilled work to the far north. The company became internationally known for its Caithness Glass paperweights, intricate pieces collected worldwide, alongside vases and decorative crystal.

Production has since moved south to Crieff in Perthshire, so you won’t find a working factory here now. Even so, the name remains part of Caithness identity, and pieces of Caithness crystal glass turn up regularly in local antique shops and galleries. Collectors still make the pilgrimage north to see where it all started.

Stay With Us

Shops in Wick and Thurso

Twenty minutes east of the Ulbster Arms Hotel, Wick rewards a wander. The shops in Wick, Caithness lean towards the independent. Think galleries, craft studios, gift shops and the excellent Wick Heritage Museum, which tells the story of the herring boom that once made this the busiest fishing port in Europe.

Thurso, 15 minutes north, offers a similar mix with a coastal edge. Both towns make easy half-days when the weather turns, and both are close enough that you’ll be back at the hotel before the fire’s died down. Take a look at our Caithness accommodation to plan your trip in the heart of it all.

Book Your Stay

Wildlife and Seal Rescue

Caithness wildlife is remarkable, and much of it needs no planning at all. Grey and common seals haul out along the coast year-round, particularly around Sinclair’s Bay and the harbours at Wick and Scrabster. Autumn brings seal pupping season, when the beaches fill with white-coated youngsters.

Locals run seal rescue and rehabilitation work at Caithness Seal Rehab & Release, caring for injured and orphaned pups before returning them to the wild. If you spot a seal in difficulty, keep your distance and report it rather than approaching. Beyond seals, look out for orcas passing through the Pentland Firth in summer, plus otters, dolphins and porpoises along the coastline.

Whisky, Fishing and Food

Caithness punches above its weight for food and drink. The county’s distilleries include the mainland’s most northerly malt producer, and our separate guide to whisky distilleries in Scotland’s far north covers each one with drive times from the hotel.

The River Thurso, meanwhile, flows past our door at the Ulbster Arms Hotel, and ranks among Scotland’s finest salmon rivers. Our fishing team arranges beats, permits and ghillies for guests. And afterwards, our restaurant serves local produce in front of the fire.

Ready to explore? Book your room or call 01847 831 641.

Book Your Stay

Where Is Caithness?

Caithness occupies the far north-eastern corner of the Scottish mainland, bordered by Sutherland to the west and the North Sea to the east. Wick and Thurso are its two main towns, with Halkirk between them.

What’s more, getting here is easier than the map suggests and most people realise. Inverness lies around two and a half hours south, Wick John O’Groats Airport is half an hour away, and the ScotRail line from Inverness terminates in both Wick and Thurso.

Book Your Caithness Accommodation

Ready to explore things to do in Caithness? The Ulbster Arms Hotel in Halkirk might just be the perfect base. With all the best activities within driving distance or accessible via public transport, we’re well-positioned to rest your head after a long drive north. So, book your stay today.

Book Today
Ulbster Arms Hotel Map

Accommodation

Discover our hotel rooms at Ulbster Arms Hotel on the North Coast 500 …

Find Out More

Special Offers

See our special offers here and book your deal today…

Find Out More
Book Now
Testimonials

After many years hoping , with good friends I finally got my first opportunity to visit for an angling trip last week of season. I stayed in a chalet which was spotless each day no matter how bad I I had managed to leave it.. The food was exceptional, no other words and its testimony how many non fishers are in every day from late afternoon dining.

Fishing was all the more made special by morning encouragement from Geordie, The two Pats and all the rest of the team that were always around to see everyone off…

Finally I cant point out that not one staff member that was nothing but professional and charming.. Its a small hotel operation at first glance, but its a much bigger operation than you imagine. It gets everything right and I cant wait to return. Whether as angler or just a resident guest… quite excellent.. All I can say.. They are very good at what they do and can feel proud …

Home from home – fantastic hotel with excellent accommodation, food and location for fishing the river Thurso. Staff are particularly impressive, with all very keen to help – to be warmly recommended.

A fantastic stay yet again for a short fishing break.||Jess and the team looked after us tremendously well as always, and a special thank you to Holly for sorting out a last minute room for me thanks to a booking error on my part.||Steaks in the bar arrived just as ordered.||Looking forward to returning again soon

2nd night of NC500 and were blessed to find this hotel. Lovely , clean , good service, lovely meal. Wonderful atmosphere, beautiful decor, really enjoyed our overnight stay, would love to come back and spend more time there. Would highly recommend this hotel

My wife and I while backpacking had camped along the banks of the Thurso. We were awaken by a fisherman after a very cold, wet and windy night. He recommended we visit the Ulbster for lunch and a warm drink. The staff had gotten word from the fisherman that my wife and I had slept in the storm that night and were kind enough to put us up in a room at a very discounted price. We were able to shower which had been quit a while and it allowed us to dry out our clothes and equipment. The following morning the staff let us leisurely hangout and even suggested several things we see and do while we finished our tour of scotland. I can not speak highly enough of the staff at the hotel. Dinner was amazing as well !!! If you ever want to hear some amazing fishing stories just take a seat and enjoy. Cant wait to return.

See more >>

View our latest blogs...

Things to Do in Wick, Scotland

The best things to do in Wick: Our 6 highlights Planning a visit to Wick…...

 Find out more >>
Dunnet Head Sign and Lighthouse

The Real Most Northern Point in The UK: Dunnet Head Lighthouse

Discover Dunnet Head, the true most northern point in the UK, and its iconic lighthouse.…...

 Find out more >>
The famous John O'Groats sign pointing to New York and Shetland.

Things to Do in John O’Groats: A Complete Guide for Visitors

Discover top attractions in John O’Groats, including iconic landmarks, wildlife-rich coastal walks and scenic boat…...

 Find out more >>

Things To Do In Caithness FAQs

Where is Caithness in Scotland?

Caithness is the most northerly county on the Scottish mainland, north of Sutherland and facing Orkney across the Pentland Firth. Its main towns are Wick and Thurso, with Halkirk sitting between them.

What is Caithness known for?

Caithness is known for dramatic coastal scenery, Neolithic cairns and brochs, the Castle of Mey, its herring fishing heritage, and Caithness Glass, which was founded in Wick in 1961.

What is the most northerly point of mainland Britain?

Dunnet Head in Caithness, not John O’Groats as commonly assumed. It sits around 30 minutes from the Ulbster Arms Hotel and is an RSPB reserve with seabird colonies and views to Orkney.

How long do you need in Caithness?

Two to three days covers the highlights comfortably. A week allows time for Orkney day trips, fishing, distillery visits and the quieter archaeological sites inland.