Travel - Sutherland/Caithness

[gigi556]

Wasn't sure if I should post here or travel but here it goes!

We are considering a trip to the far North of Scotland with our in-laws. So 4 adults and one child (will be age 5). I found an amazing holiday cottage near Tongue. It looks idyllic. If it were just me and DP I'd book without hesitating. We both love walking and the outdoors. I'd spend 7 days walking.... Problem is, my in laws are not very mobile. They can do some short walks but my father in law in particular really can't go far due to leg and back issues and is also significantly overweight which makes it harder. Our DS can walk about 5K. I'm worried there won't be enough "to do" up there. Are there any/many things to see and do other than walking? The holiday cottage is the same price for 5 days as it is for 7..... otherwise I might consider a shorter break. We are looking at going in August next year, but would also consider April or June...

I went to Caithness almost 15 years ago (walked from John o groats to lands end 😱) and I do remember the coast along the A9 quite well. It was absolutely stunning. But I also remember there didn't seem much around!

The impetus for the trip is that my father in law said he'd always wanted to go.... and I kind of jumped at the idea as I bloody love Scotland.

I've looked at doing more of a tour where we drive up and stop at places along the way overnight and do a hotel or two in Caithness and Sutherland for just a few nights but it's a lot more money to do it this way so maybe cost prohibitive. (We live in Yorkshire)

I haven't been for about ten years but my memories of that area are that it was stunningly beautiful simply because there was absolutely nothing there! If you want scenery then it is fantastic with some beautiful beaches, but walking is probably the only thing to do when it comes to activities. If the weather isn't good you will be very limited. There was a lovely chocolate shop in Durness but that really was about it.

Ok. Yeah that's kind of what I was thinking. I'm wondering if we go in August if we will mostly have nice weather and we can park at the beach and play quite a bit.... although if it's a beach holiday we want, we may be better off in Cornwall

Sorry don't know anything about that area but, in general, the weather better in Scotland in June and July
Our schools go back mid August as our summer is generally over by then

I'd still go.

If FIL is quite sedentary isn't he expecting to be mostly the same on holiday anyway ie sitting around the cottage looking out at the view?

You go do your Munro bagging and he can do short beach walks/ the local villages. Just driving about is stunning.

Be prepared for a lot of wind. And don't expect a well stocked supermarket for many many miles.

Are you driving there?

I’m from that area. There really isn’t an awful lot to do unless you are mobile and like the outdoors. If your in-laws are happy just to potter about and enjoy the spectacular views then all will be fine, but if they are looking for other things to do, then you might struggle. I’d go in June rather than August: fewer midges in the early summer. Weather is always unpredictable and I’ve generally found the earlier summer better on that front too.

Would you just be taking the one car? If your in laws can drive around independently while you’re doing your hillwalking, that would make things easier.

Yes I think we'd just take one car. Either take the train or fly to Inverness and hire a car or drive the whole way from Yorkshire.

There is hardly any public transport up there, and really very little to do in Tongue apart from admire the wonderful scenery (which is quite something). Getting up and down from the village to the sea is a steep walk though not terribly far. There’s a wee restaurant and a village shop in Tongue, not an awful lot else. Difficult to say what will be open or closed next year though.

@ChaToilLeam Interesting comment... my husband said the same about what might end up closed post pandemic 😷 😢

As long as you’re happy to drive, you can find stuff to do so I’d say that’s your main consideration.

The Tongue Hotel is nice for food and also the other one. I think it’s called Ben Loyal. Check their websites as you’ll probably need to book. There’s also a small hotel at Talmine which is very near Tongue called The Craggan and the food is nice. The bar there is very cosy with an open fire.

It’d be a good idea to look at the North Coast 500 website and associated social media as Tongue is on it and you might get some ideas of where to go. Eg there’s a chocolatier at Durness you can visit and I think a craft village.

If you’re happy to drive further east then you could visit the Castle of Mey. Also you could drive to John o Groats and do a day trip to Orkney. www.jogferry.co.uk/Home.aspx That’s a lovely trip as you get on a bus when you get off in Orkney and you’ll see all the main sights.

Dunrobbin Castle would be about a 2 hour drive away.

As always, be prepared for the weather. Good idea to take a flask and picnicking stuff for a car picnic so maybe in-laws can stay in the car admiring the view while you go for a walk.

www.northcoast500.com/see-do/

Also there’s a whisky distillery in Thurso called Wolfburn, a gin and spirit distillery at Dunnet called Rock and Rose and Old Pulteney distillery in Wick. All do tours and tastings.

@Deux

www.northcoast500.com/see-do/

Also there’s a whisky distillery in Thurso called Wolfburn, a gin and spirit distillery at Dunnet called Rock and Rose and Old Pulteney distillery in Wick. All do tours and tastings.

Have been to all of these and can confirm they are worth a visit!!

There is talk of Caithness Horizons in Thurso reopening as the North Coast Visitor Centre, hopefully also by next year. Fingers crossed the Strathnaver Museum at Bettyhill will also be back.

Excellent Tapas restaurant at Scrabster but always busy so you have to book.

I've used an excellent car hire place in Inverness if you want details. Just back from Tongue and I think Ben Loyal hotel were mainly prioritising residents for meals but Craggan good as is Borgie Hotel in Skerray. Also Tongue Hotel. Lots of beaches are a bit of a walk away but Melness Beach is easy to get to from the parking area (which is on the beach). We have a cottage in the area with a ground floor bedroom if you want any details on this or where to go or anything feel free to PM me.