Usually when people travel to Scotland, their destinations are Edinburgh, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, and perhaps St. Andrews for a round of golf. While those are all beautiful, and deserving of the love they receive, Lonely Planet is making sure that another part of the country gets some well-earned attention in 2024. This year, the travel publication’s list of Best Destinations of 2024 includes Scotland’s Far North, Caithness and Sutherland to be precise.
Now is the perfect time to make a trip to the far north of Scotland, exploring both its unsung boggy interior and a coastline of heartbreaking beauty.
Lonely Planet
The timing is especially apt. The region, known as the Flow Country (or the Flows) for its peat bogs, is currently waiting to find out if it has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Flow Country is the world’s largest intact blanket bog system. As such, it is home to a stunning array of plants and wildlife. Let’s take a look at some of the places that are recommended for your itinerary should you choose to venture to this beautiful, but oft-ignored, part of the British Isles. You can also download a useful free leaflet with maps of Flow Country, trail info, and wildlife guides.
Dunrobin Castle
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There has been a castle at Dunrobin since at least the 14th century, possibly earlier. However, the current castle was built in the 19th century by Sir Charles Barry, who also designed a famous London landmark, the Houses of Parliament. With 189 rooms, it is the largest castle in this part of the Highlands. The ornate design might seem more at home in the French countryside or in a fairytale. The interior is as magnificent as the exterior. As well as Italian friezes and intricate tapestries, there is a library that will be the envy of any book lover. In keeping with Dunrobin’s French influence, the gardens mirror those at Versailles.
Dunrobin Castle is open to the public daily from April to the end of October.
Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve
One spot that really lets you see the richness of the Flow Country is the Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve. The RSPB preserve covers 21,000 hectares. Among the bird species you might glimpse here are the greenshank, dunlin, golden plover and, if you are very lucky, a black- or red-throated diver. But don’t forget to look down too, or you might miss the lizards flitting about. A series of boardwalks creates two trails through the wetlands. These allow visitors to enjoy the expansive landscape while not damaging this fragile ecosystem. Trails are self-guided. However, RSPB staff also offer a series of guided walks throughout the week so take advantage of their expertise. Who knows what you might see!
North Coast 500
Billing itself as the ultimate road trip, the North Coast 500 is a circular driving route taking the coastal scenery of Scotland. You can feel free to customize the trip, choosing to stop off at historical highlights, golf courses, or whatever else interests you the most. Take as much or as little time as you like. The coastlines of Caithness and Sutherland form a significant part of the route, So the North Coast 500 can be a convenient way to explore the furthest reaches of Scotland. Be sure to check out the website for the North Coast 500 (link above) as it contains a wealth of information to help you plan your trip.
John O’Groats
If you’re spending some time exploring Caithness and Sutherland, you’d be remiss not to visit John O’Groats. Despite popular misconception, it is not the northernmost point on mainland UK but we’ll get to that in a minute. It is, however, the northernmost village and a tourist destination in its own right. It lies along the North Coast 500 and so is a good place to stop off for a bite, a souvenir, or perhaps even a day trip to Orkney. Meanwhile, if you want to say that you have been to the true northernmost point, take a 15.6 mile drive up the road to Dunnet Head. It’s a great spot for birdwatching. And on those rare clear days, you can turn your gaze inland and see how many peaks you can spot in the distance.
This has highlighted just a few of the sights in this remote and rugged part of the UK. There are also many more Munros, lochs, and beaches to discover. Seems like more than enough reasons to plan a trip!
Check back soon to learn about Britain’s second listing on Lonely Planet’s Best Destinations of 2024 list.
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