Sandside Head

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Caithness

Scotland

Sandside Head

Port Mor and Sandside Bay Credit: sylvia duckworth

Sandside Head is a prominent headland located on the northern coast of Caithness, a county in the Highland region of Scotland. Situated approximately 3 miles northwest of the town of Reay, Sandside Head is a striking coastal feature that juts out into the North Sea.

The headland is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which reach heights of up to 60 meters (200 feet) in some areas. These cliffs are composed of sandstone and flagstone, providing a visually dramatic and geologically significant landscape. The exposed rock formations display layers that date back millions of years, showcasing the area's rich geological history.

Sandside Head offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, with vistas extending towards the neighboring Orkney Islands on clear days. The headland is also home to a variety of seabirds, such as guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars, which nest and roost on the cliffs.

Access to Sandside Head is possible via a public footpath that winds along the cliff edge, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the area and appreciate its natural beauty. However, caution must be exercised as the path can be steep and uneven in places.

The headland's location makes it an ideal spot for coastal walks, birdwatching, and photography. Its unspoiled and remote nature offers a sense of tranquility and seclusion, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rugged charm of the Caithness coastline.

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Sandside Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.573071/-3.800893 or Grid Reference NC9566. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Port Mor and Sandside Bay

sylvia duckworth

Reay: postbox № KW14 61

A Victorian postbox set into the wall of what looks like a former school, now a village hall.

Chris Downer

Sandside Harbour and slipway

Sandside Harbour and the associated fishing store and cottages were built in 1830 by Major William Innes of Sandside. The harbour faces east and is sheltered to the west by higher ground. Dounreay nuclear facility is clearly visible from the harbour.

Bob Jones

Sandside Harbour

Bob Jones

Sandside Harbour

The harbour's in sunshine but another snow shower is on its way from the east during what was a prolonged spell of cold easterlies. The Kittiwake seems fairly well secured though.

AlastairG

Edward's Geo by Fresgoe near Dounreay

These geos are a feature of this northern coastline sadly this one had been used as a dumping ground for various bits of farming paraphernalia.

AlastairG

Geo by Fresgoe near Dounreay

This geo has been cut into beds of Caithness sandstone. The blurring of the image wasn't a feature of the camera lens but rather was a function of the 40mph winds being experienced by much of Scotland in mid March

AlastairG

Sandstone flag roof, Caithness

This cottage has retained its flagstone roof. This type of roof would once have been seen everywhere in the area given the readily available raw materials. The other side of the cottage can be seen in NC9566 : Fresgoe harbour which gives a rather different view of the property.

AlastairG

Fresgoe harbour

The odd spacing of the upper windows relative to those on the ground floor of the sandstone building can be explained by referring to NC9566 : Sandstone flag roof, Caithness which shows the other side of the building. The sea side is two storey while the landward side is single storey.

AlastairG