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Sròn Mhòr

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Caithness

Scotland

Sròn Mhòr

The way to Badbea
The way to Badbea Credit: Peter Moore

Sròn Mhòr is a prominent coastal feature located in Caithness, Scotland. It is a headland that juts out into the North Sea, forming a distinctive point along the coastline. The name "Sròn Mhòr" translates to "big nose" in Gaelic, which accurately describes its shape and appearance.

This headland is characterized by steep cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea, providing a stunning and rugged landscape. The cliffs are composed of sedimentary rock formations, showcasing layers of different geological periods. The rock is mainly sandstone, which has been weathered and eroded over time by the relentless crashing of the waves.

The area surrounding Sròn Mhòr is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The cliff faces provide nesting sites for various seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. The surrounding waters are also rich in marine life, with seals and dolphins often spotted in the vicinity.

Due to its dramatic natural beauty and ecological significance, Sròn Mhòr has become a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. Several walking trails traverse the headland, allowing visitors to explore its rugged beauty and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline. The headland also offers opportunities for birdwatching and photography, with its striking cliffs and diverse wildlife providing ample subjects.

Overall, Sròn Mhòr is a captivating coastal feature in Caithness, offering a unique experience for those who visit. Its towering cliffs, abundant wildlife, and stunning views make it a must-see destination for nature enthusiasts and tourists alike.

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Sròn Mhòr Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.154988/-3.5523035 or Grid Reference ND0819. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The way to Badbea
The way to Badbea
Badbea: a memory of the Highland Clearances Badbea is a very sad place, a grim reminder us of a disgraceful period in our national history. Badbea is a ruined village on the cliff tops around 5 miles north of Helmsdale, in Caithness. The village was settled in the 18th and 19th centuries during the infamous Highland Clearances. Families were forcibly evicted from their homes in the Straths of Langwell, Ousdale and Berriedale to be replaced by sheep for the profit of the landlords. From 1792 onwards, the displaced families began to arrive in Badbea, a small area of rough, steeply sloping land above the precipitous cliffs of Berriedale overlooking the North Sea. When the families arrived they were given small plots to farm, but had to clear the land, hack out the plots from the steep slopes, and build their own houses from the stones they found. The harshness of life in Badbea can be judged from the fact that, while the men and women were working the land, their livestock, and even their children, were on occasion tethered to rocks or posts to prevent them from being blown over the cliffs into the sea by the ferocious winds. The family plots of land had room for a longhouse, with a byre at one end, and a kitchen garden or kailyard. The rest of the available land could only support a few small vegetable plots and a few cows, pigs and chickens for each family. There was only one horse in the village and thus the soil was ploughed by human effort.
Badbea: a memory of the Highland Clearances
Badbea is a very sad place, a grim reminder us of a disgraceful period in our national history. Badbea is a ruined village on the cliff tops around 5 miles north of Helmsdale, in Caithness. The village was settled in the 18th and 19th centuries during the infamous Highland Clearances. Families were forcibly evicted from their homes in the Straths of Langwell, Ousdale and Berriedale to be replaced by sheep for the profit of the landlords. From 1792 onwards, the displaced families began to arrive in Badbea, a small area of rough, steeply sloping land above the precipitous cliffs of Berriedale overlooking the North Sea. When the families arrived they were given small plots to farm, but had to clear the land, hack out the plots from the steep slopes, and build their own houses from the stones they found. The harshness of life in Badbea can be judged from the fact that, while the men and women were working the land, their livestock, and even their children, were on occasion tethered to rocks or posts to prevent them from being blown over the cliffs into the sea by the ferocious winds. The family plots of land had room for a longhouse, with a byre at one end, and a kitchen garden or kailyard. The rest of the available land could only support a few small vegetable plots and a few cows, pigs and chickens for each family. There was only one horse in the village and thus the soil was ploughed by human effort.
Original bridge by the A9
Original bridge by the A9
Badbea Monument The Badbea Monument.
Badbea Monument
The Badbea Monument.
Old A9 A loop cut off by modernising the road over the Ord of Caithness.
Old A9
A loop cut off by modernising the road over the Ord of Caithness.
New A9 A modernised part of the road over the Ord of Caithness.
New A9
A modernised part of the road over the Ord of Caithness.
Ousdale A steep sided glen cuts down to the sea. It shelters birch woods.
Ousdale
A steep sided glen cuts down to the sea. It shelters birch woods.
Creagan Mòr Boggy moorland between the A9 and sea on the crossing of the Ord of Caithness.
Creagan Mòr
Boggy moorland between the A9 and sea on the crossing of the Ord of Caithness.
A9 Passing the car park for Badbea on the high level (but close to the coast) crossing of the Ord of Caithness. A sense of dread prevails, Berriedale and its braes are getting closer.
A9
Passing the car park for Badbea on the high level (but close to the coast) crossing of the Ord of Caithness. A sense of dread prevails, Berriedale and its braes are getting closer.
Moorland, Badbea Above high cliffs and beside the A9.
Moorland, Badbea
Above high cliffs and beside the A9.
Road on Inver Hill A loop of rough road between the sea and A9 road.
Road on Inver Hill
A loop of rough road between the sea and A9 road.
Badbea Monument Monument from 1911, in memory of the inhabitants of Badbea, a Highland clearance village.
Badbea Monument
Monument from 1911, in memory of the inhabitants of Badbea, a Highland clearance village.
Silage field, Ousdale
Silage field, Ousdale
A9, Ousdale Heading east towards Dunbeath.
A9, Ousdale
Heading east towards Dunbeath.
Woodland above the A9, Ousdale
Woodland above the A9, Ousdale
A9 towards Dunbeath Heading east beside woodland.
A9 towards Dunbeath
Heading east beside woodland.
Pylon on moorland, Badbea
Pylon on moorland, Badbea
Dunbeath 8 Miles Heading north east on the A9, Badbea.
Dunbeath 8 Miles
Heading north east on the A9, Badbea.
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Sròn Mhòr is located at Grid Ref: ND0819 (Lat: 58.154988, Lng: -3.5523035)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///cubes.exits.debater. Near Dunbeath, Highland

Nearby Locations

The Needle Sròn Mhòr Tràigh Muidhe Cleite Sròn a Ghleannain Clèit Mulachain Tràigh Cailliche

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