Caithness is the northernmost part of Scotland, a jut of wilderness on the edge of mainland Britain reaching towards Orkney. It’s known for John O’Groats, for its raw and untamed-feeling coastline that seems like a series of high stone cliff-walls and for its boggy moorland interior. Caithness has a stark, unpolluted beauty, and some seriously ancient history. It’s one of those places that entices with its lack of invitation, but is perfect for a walking holiday, or a romantic escape. For us, the best places to stay in Caithness are those that sit within the most spectacular of landscapes, so we're recommending a seriously atmospheric country house hotel and a wonderful B&B on a castle estate.
Wick and Thurso are the largest centres in Caithness. Thurso is the main ferry link to the Orkney Islands, and has a fabulous museum that traces the history of the region and its Viking heritage, while Wick has a wonderful old castle — one of Scotland’s oldest — plus a brewery and an award-winning whisky distillery. Between Wick and Thurso are the Grey Cairns of Camster, which look like two bleak and beautiful piles of rubble, but which are buildings dating back to 3500BC. Walkers exploring the whole region will likely come across standing stones and the remains of prehistoric fortifications. If you hike inland you’ll enter Flow County, a vast expanse of peatland and wetland that’s the largest area of blanket bog in Europe.
The coast of Caithness is not without its beautiful beaches, and arguably the nicest is Dunnet Head, close to John O’Groats. As well as sand, and a forest, Dunnet Bay has the Rock Rose Distillery, an award-winning gin distillery.
As one of the main stretches of Scotland's NC500 circuit, the best places to stay in Caithness can be busy whatever the season. So do your research and book well ahead.