Scrabster

THE ROYAL CASTLE & GARDENS OF MEY

This half-day excursion visits the Royal Castle and Gardens of Mey, the holiday home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother for over fifty years. The castle is still used annually as a summer residence by HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay.

The Castle of Mey is situated on the shores of the Pentland Firth, overlooking the Orkney Islands and is a half hour drive from Scrabster Harbour. The tour is fully guided throughout and the visit includes a conducted tour of the Castle, the Royal Gardens and an opportunity to call at the Castle Visitor Centre for souvenirs, refreshments and snacks, if desired. This is a quality excursion steeped in Highland history with a unique Royal flavour, ever popular with cruise liner clients.

DUNROBIN CASTLE, GOLSPIE AND THE ROYAL CASTLE OF MEY, THURSO

A full-day tour visiting two of the most impressive castles in the far north of Scotland. Dunrobin Castle, one of Scotland’s great houses and also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses has been home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland since the 13th century.

The impressive gardens were laid out 150 years ago and still retain their design as a formal Victorian garden. The Sutherland Museum in the garden grounds contains an important collection of archaeological items and other interesting artefacts collected by the family during their many expeditions around the world.

The programme includes a falconry display and lunch enroute to the Royal Castle of Mey, approximately one hour’s drive from Dunrobin.

OLD PULTENEY WHISKY AND THE AWARD-WINNING WICK HERITAGE CENTRE

A half-day tour to the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. Established in 1826, The Pulteney Distillery is found in the heart of 'Pulteneytown', the town created to house fishermen during Wick’s 'herring boom'.

The fascinating story of Wick’s maritime history is revealed during a conducted tour of the nearby Heritage Centre which is the largest multi-award winning museum in the north of Scotland.

It portrays life in this northerly town, focusing on Wick’s links with the sea and the way in which the wealth from the fishing industry led to the character of the town as it is today.

THE MACKAY CLAN AND STRATHNAVER MUSEUM

An hour’s drive west of Scrabster, on a spectacular stretch of northern coastline in the land known as Mackay Country, lies the fascinating Strathnaver Museum, located in the former parish church of St Columba, built in 1700.

This small intimate museum tells of the vibrant culture of the people of this remote community, inherited from Norse and Gaelic ancestors. The upper floor of the church houses the Clan Mackay Room which describes the very rich and varied history of the Clan and their numerous Clan Societies throughout the world.

The Strathnaver area abounds with archaeological sites and the graveyard outside contains an impressive 8th century carved Christian stone slab.

THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE

The 150-year old Laidhay Caithness Croft is a well-preserved example of a longhouse - the style of dwelling which was home to large numbers of simple farming, or crofting, families many years ago.

It is a long single-story stone building with thatched roof and a cattle shed, or byre, at one end.

The croft house has been furnished with many traditional items which would have been in regular use when the building was built and the rooms of the dwelling are furnished exactly as they were originally, giving a fascinating insight into the remarkable lifestyle of the hardy crofters of Caithness before the development of mechanised farming.