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Loch Assynt, Sutherland (Credit: Airborne Lens)
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Sutherland

Sutherland covers a very large part of the northern Highlands and is distinctly a land of two halves. Mid & East Sutherland stretches from the Dornoch Firth in the south to Helmsdale in the north and inland to Lairg and beyond. On the coast, busy towns such as Dornoch, Golspie and Brora boast long golden beaches and green golf courses. Away from the coast, the quieter glens echo with the stories of the Highland Clearances, captured movingly in the names of the displaced scratched on the windows of Croick Church.

Moving to the other ‘half’, you’ll encounter the breath-taking scenery of North West Sutherland. Sweeping northwards through the fishing ports of Lochinver and Kinlochbervie to Cape Wrath, the area then extends east along the coast via Durness and Tongue. Here you’ll find some of the wildest country in Europe. With the UK’s highest waterfall, highest sea cliffs, and some of the oldest rocks on the planet, the story of North West Sutherland is one told in the record books.

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Locations in Sutherland

Bonar Bridge Explore the natural landscape by land and loch. Add Bonar Bridge to an itinerary
A central road lined with cars. Light brown buildings line either side of the road.
Dornoch War Memorial Learn about the impact of war on Dornoch's communities. Add Dornoch War Memorial to an itinerary
Aerial image of Helmsdale streets lined with houses and start of harbour sheds.
Helmsdale Where the river meets the sea. Add Helmsdale to an itinerary
Bettyhill Discover incredible history, natural and cultural heritage all in one North Coast village. Add Bettyhill to an itinerary
A View Across The Kyle Of Tongue To Ben Loyal, Caithness. Wooden posts lead down a beach. Hill peaks line the landscape above the kyle, taking up 25% of the image
Tongue Centuries of history to discover in this former clan stronghold. Add Tongue to an itinerary
A white building with a grey slate roof stands in the foreground. Three blue signs mark the buildings.
Dornoch Railway Station Transport yourself back in time and learn more about the Dornoch in the 20th century Add Dornoch Railway Station to an itinerary
A large grey stone pillar stands in grass next to a large stone wall. Above the pillar, a green sign with white lettering reads 'Gallow's Hill. Donald Mackay hanged here on 26th May 1738 for murdering a witch. His was the last execution at Dornoch'.
Gallows Hill Learn more about the dark history of Dornoch. Add Gallows Hill to an itinerary
A large grey stone pillar stands on a stone base in the centre of the image. A stone wall stands in the background, with gravestones and trees visible over the wall.
Mercat Cross, Dornoch Pay a visit to the historic heart of Dornoch Add Mercat Cross, Dornoch to an itinerary
A stone pillar with an interpretation board stands on the side of a road. In the background, two brown brick buildings with grey roofs line the road. A green fence stands in front of these buildings.
Dornoch High Street Discover Dornoch's fascinating history on every corner Add Dornoch High Street to an itinerary
A large stone marker, with the words 'St. Michael's Well' engraved in black.
St. Michael's Well Visit the centre of tale of an act of defiance in Dornoch. Add St. Michael's Well to an itinerary
A weathered light brown stone in a field of grass. The stone is covered in engravings which are eroded.
Cholera Stone at Gallows Hill Learn more about Dornoch in the 19th century. Add Cholera Stone at Gallows Hill to an itinerary
Handa Island Wildlife Reserve Discover an area of outstanding natural heritage. Add Handa Island Wildlife Reserve to an itinerary
A large stretch of yellow sand swathes northwards, meeting the green-blue waters of the sea in the top left of the image
Balnakeil Beach Relax in nature on one of Sutherland's most spectacular beaches. Add Balnakeil Beach to an itinerary
A white house with a black door and grey roof stands at an angle in the centre of the image, adjacent to a narrow lane. Several other houses line this lane in the background of the image.
Littletown Learn more about the history and impact of the Sutherland Clearances. Add Littletown to an itinerary
Brora Heritage Centre Discover the unique heritage of this Brora and take part in local events. Add Brora Heritage Centre to an itinerary
Contemporary building with dark grey roof and yellow sides the site of Timespan museum.
Timespan Heritage and Art Institution with local and planetary ambitions to use culture for social change. Add Timespan to an itinerary
A grey stone with the year '1722' marked in white on its surface. Around the stone is a ring of small stones, both painted and natural, left in tribute.
The Witch's Stone Visit a tribute to Janet Horne, the last woman to be legally executed for witchcraft in the British Isles. Add The Witch's Stone to an itinerary
The flat plains of the Flow Country, Caithness under cloudy skies.
RSPB Forsinard Flows Explore a vast expanse of rare blanket bog in the heart of the Flow Country. Add RSPB Forsinard Flows to an itinerary
Brora Industrial powerhouse turned coastal resort. Add Brora to an itinerary
A green signpost pointing towards Dornoch. Rows of green shrubs are below the sign. In the distance a golf course, with players making their way around the course, is visible.
Dornoch Links Explore an icon of Dornoch's natural and cultural history. Add Dornoch Links to an itinerary
Small brown building with blue doors and windows surrounded by signs for Historylinks Museum.
Historylinks Museum Showcasing the history and stories of Dornoch through the years through interactive displays. Add Historylinks Museum to an itinerary
A large stone well stands as the focus of the image. A grey interpretation board is visible in the background, standing adjacent to a stone wall.
Dornoch Old Parish Manse Discover Dornoch in the 17th century Add Dornoch Old Parish Manse to an itinerary
Lochinver Nature's playground. Add Lochinver to an itinerary
Talmine Visit an area of outstanding natural and cultural heritage in the Mealanais township. Add Talmine to an itinerary
Body of water with blue skies and greenery on the banks.
Lairg A lush Highland escape. Add Lairg to an itinerary
Wooden bridge over trickling rock filled river with circular building in the background.
Golspie Sun, sea and castles. Add Golspie to an itinerary
A large light brown stone pillar stands in tall grass. A circular grey metal fence surrounds the stone pillar.
The Earl's Cross Explore a marker of Dornoch's fasinating medieval history. Add The Earl's Cross to an itinerary
Sandy beach on left side gives way to rolling waves on the right on a sunny day.
Dornoch Explore Dornoch’s big outdoors. Add Dornoch to an itinerary
Aerial drone shot of Loch Shin and Lairg with green fields surrounding the village.
Kinlochbervie Discover the most northerly port of the north-west coast. Add Kinlochbervie to an itinerary
The outlines of mountains and a valley at sunset. The sun shines bright above a layer of cloud. Sheep can be seen roaming a field in the distance.
Assynt Viewpoint Admire a remarkable landscape immortalised in poetry. Add Assynt Viewpoint to an itinerary
Cathedral structure is the focal point of the image with spire and small cemetery.
Dornoch Cathedral Explore the history of the most northerly cathedral on the Scottish mainland Add Dornoch Cathedral to an itinerary
Durness Escape to the most north westerly village in Scotland Add Durness to an itinerary

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Itineraries within Sutherland

A jagged coastline runs up the right hand side of the image. The green-blue waters of the sea can be seen on the left hand side of the image.
Stories of Sutherland

Discover the Sutherland coast through the stories of the people who live, work and visit here.

Historylinks Heritage Trail

Step back in time and explore dazzling Dornoch through the ages.

Wonderous Wildlife and Nature

Wonder at the wildlife of Caithness and Sutherland.

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Places to stay
Things to do
Food and drink