About Caithness
Caithness Geography
Welcome to this page about my home county of Caithness, situated in the most North Easterly point of the Scottish Highlands. It measures approximately 712 square miles, and is predominantly flat, in stark contrast to the drama of the mountains and glens that have to be travelled through to get here. The highest point, the summit of Morven is 760m. It has a population of approximately 23,866 (census 2001), and only two burghs, Wick & Thurso.
Caithness is also home to John O' Groats, normally given the title of most northerly point on the British Isles, however, in truth this honour goes to Dunnet Head, a few miles to the West. John O' Groats has regular ferry links the beautiful islands of Orkney, 16km north of the mainland. There are about 70 islands with only 20 being inhabited. The largest of the Orkney islands is known simply as Mainland.
The majority of caithness is covered by old red sandstone, which consists of cemented sediments of lake Orcadie, which is believed to have stretched from Shetland to Grampian, some 370 million years ago! This sandstone splits relatively easy into large flat slabs, called flagstones, which are used as a building material. A sight peculiar to Caithness is the flagstone 'fences'. The higher areas of Caithness, in the southwest, is an area of older metamorphic rock (granite).
Caithness Natural Heritage
Caithness is an important area for wildlife. It is flanked on 2 sides by water and the dramatic cliffs of it's coastline are home to many species of seabird, and the north sea and pentland firth are home to many mammals, including Dolphins, Minke and Pilot Whales as well as Orcas, and Seals. Otters can also be seen along river banks in quieter areas.
History of Caithness
The landscape of Caithness has many remains dating back to pre-historic times, including the Grey Cairns of Camster, Hill O' Many Stanes and over 100 brochs. The Vikings arrived in the 10th Century and many of the place names and a few of the surnames are Norse in origin. A dialect of the Norn language would have been spoken, and there are still influences from this language used today.
Caithness had it's sovereignty disputed for many years between Scotland and the Norweigan Earldom of Orkney. It wasn't until the treaty of Perth in 1266 that Norway recognised Caithness as Scottish.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Caithness. We moved here in 2006, basically because we fell in love with the area on our frequent visits to the Scottish Highlands. It is an area of incredible beauty, rolling moors and peat bogs, and dramatic cliffs and crashing waves. My personal favourite aspect of Caithness is the quiet and tranquility.