Your flight to Wick takes you nearly to mainland Britain’s famous northern settlement, John o’Groats on Duncansby Head, just 17 miles further north (Dunnet Head, just west, is actually further north). This is the land of the Vikings, whose word for bay gave Wick, its river and its bay, their names.
Step back in time to explore the history of Clan Sinclair, associated with Wick and Caithness from the 14th century, at Castle Girnigoe and Sinclair or at Nosshead Lighthouse’s Clan Sinclair Study Centre. Wick’s living culture, once herring based and now supplying the North Sea oil industry is detailed at Wick Heritage Centre, south of the river in Pulteneytown.
Away from the crowds, walk the coast south of Wick past Old Wick castle and around the many gees (sheer-sided inlets) to Brig o’Trams, a natural stone arch over the sea. Or head inland to view the Grey Cairns of Camster, some 6,000 years old.
Join Wick locals taking a dip in the Trinkie, an open-air natural seawater pool, then warm up with Old Pulteney whisky, from mainland Scotland’s most northerly distillery. Try local specialities – herring or lamb, both delicious with Old Pulteney! |