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Cairn Dhuna

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Caithness

Scotland

Cairn Dhuna

Castle of Old Wick The ruined remains of possibly the oldest castle in Scotland. It was reputed to have been built by the half Norse, Earl of Caithness, Harald Maddadson, in the 1160's. It is now under the protection of Historic Scotland.
Castle of Old Wick Credit: Glen Breaden

Cairn Dhuna is a prominent coastal feature located in Caithness, a county in the northernmost part of Scotland. It is specifically situated on the eastern coast, near the village of Dunbeath. Cairn Dhuna is characterized as a headland or a point, jutting out into the North Sea.

The headland is renowned for its rugged and dramatic landscape. It is predominantly composed of sandstone, which has been shaped and eroded by the relentless force of the sea over thousands of years. This has resulted in the formation of steep cliffs that tower above the crashing waves below.

Cairn Dhuna offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline. From its vantage point, visitors can marvel at the vast expanse of the North Sea, as well as the nearby coastal cliffs and rocky outcrops. On clear days, it is even possible to catch a glimpse of the Orkney Islands in the distance.

In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Cairn Dhuna also holds historical significance. The headland is home to the remains of an ancient fort, known as Dunbeath Castle. The castle, which dates back to the 17th century, was once a stronghold for the Sinclair family, prominent landowners in the region.

Overall, Cairn Dhuna is a captivating coastal feature that offers a combination of natural beauty and historical interest. Its towering cliffs, panoramic vistas, and ancient fort make it a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike.

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Cairn Dhuna Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.434837/-3.0738021 or Grid Reference ND3750. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Castle of Old Wick The ruined remains of possibly the oldest castle in Scotland. It was reputed to have been built by the half Norse, Earl of Caithness, Harald Maddadson, in the 1160's. It is now under the protection of Historic Scotland.
Castle of Old Wick
The ruined remains of possibly the oldest castle in Scotland. It was reputed to have been built by the half Norse, Earl of Caithness, Harald Maddadson, in the 1160's. It is now under the protection of Historic Scotland.
Sea Inlets The coastal scenery around the Old Castle of Wick is amazing with vertiginous cliffs, geos, arches, stacks and rocks that when there is a high sea with an accompanying wind the sea is tumultuous.
Sea Inlets
The coastal scenery around the Old Castle of Wick is amazing with vertiginous cliffs, geos, arches, stacks and rocks that when there is a high sea with an accompanying wind the sea is tumultuous.
MOD Rifle Range A rifle range with all the accoutrements including the sentry boxes when in use.
MOD Rifle Range
A rifle range with all the accoutrements including the sentry boxes when in use.
Headland View The high cliffs to the south of the headland supporting much pretty thrift or pinks as they are also known.
Headland View
The high cliffs to the south of the headland supporting much pretty thrift or pinks as they are also known.
Farm Track Track to Harden the closest farm to the rifle range.
Farm Track
Track to Harden the closest farm to the rifle range.
Coastal Scene Fractured and shattered pavements of slanting rock make this piece of coastline most attractive.
Coastal Scene
Fractured and shattered pavements of slanting rock make this piece of coastline most attractive.
Wild weather
Wild weather
Cliff Face Cliff face at South Head, below the old Coastguard Station
Cliff Face
Cliff face at South Head, below the old Coastguard Station
Wick Business Park Town planners should pay heed to what out of town developments have done to Wick town centre. This retail park and the Tescos on the north side of town have all but killed a once prosperous town centre.
Wick Business Park
Town planners should pay heed to what out of town developments have done to Wick town centre. This retail park and the Tescos on the north side of town have all but killed a once prosperous town centre.
Preparing to climb at the base of the stack As can be seen in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/303584">ND3648 : Sea Stack and Arch</a> there's only a narrow gap between the cliff opposite the stack and the stack itself. Here we can see that we can get to the base of the stack by abseiling down the landward cliff and then jumping/swinging across to the stack. Having climbed the stack the return can then be achieved by tyrolean traverse as in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3510552">ND3648 : Returning from the stack</a> or by abseiling down the stack and then climbing up the cliff on the landward side. Here the team are preparing to climb the southern face of the stack which, whilst not particularly difficult, is a tad loose.
Preparing to climb at the base of the stack
As can be seen in ND3648 : Sea Stack and Arch there's only a narrow gap between the cliff opposite the stack and the stack itself. Here we can see that we can get to the base of the stack by abseiling down the landward cliff and then jumping/swinging across to the stack. Having climbed the stack the return can then be achieved by tyrolean traverse as in ND3648 : Returning from the stack or by abseiling down the stack and then climbing up the cliff on the landward side. Here the team are preparing to climb the southern face of the stack which, whilst not particularly difficult, is a tad loose.
Returning from the stack As can be seen in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3510548">ND3648 : Preparing to climb at the base of the stack</a> it is possible to abseil down the cliff opposite the stack and then jump/swing across onto the stack itself. Having climbed the stack the easiest way back is bring up the abseil rope, set up a tyrolean traverse and to return on that.
Returning from the stack
As can be seen in ND3648 : Preparing to climb at the base of the stack it is possible to abseil down the cliff opposite the stack and then jump/swing across onto the stack itself. Having climbed the stack the easiest way back is bring up the abseil rope, set up a tyrolean traverse and to return on that.
Castle of Old Wick
Castle of Old Wick
A99 south of Wick At the junction with Rockhill Road
A99 south of Wick
At the junction with Rockhill Road
Fields of cut grass south of Wick The uncut grass across the centre of the picture is a track on the route of the old Wick & Lybster Light Railway
Fields of cut grass south of Wick
The uncut grass across the centre of the picture is a track on the route of the old Wick & Lybster Light Railway
Welcome to Wick The A99 enters Wick with the cemetery on the right and the new Wick Retail Park on the left.
Welcome to Wick
The A99 enters Wick with the cemetery on the right and the new Wick Retail Park on the left.
The Trinkie Outdoor Swimming Pool Perched at the edge of rocks, the pool naturally collects water from the sea and was created from part of a quarry.
The Trinkie Outdoor Swimming Pool
Perched at the edge of rocks, the pool naturally collects water from the sea and was created from part of a quarry.
Coast at Old Wick Layering of the rocks is clearly visible, along with the remaining tilted and flat slabs. The coastline takes a pounding from the sea.
Coast at Old Wick
Layering of the rocks is clearly visible, along with the remaining tilted and flat slabs. The coastline takes a pounding from the sea.
Trinkie Sign A sign painted on the rocks above the Trinkie outdoor swimming pool. The pool is to the left of shot.
Trinkie Sign
A sign painted on the rocks above the Trinkie outdoor swimming pool. The pool is to the left of shot.
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Cairn Dhuna is located at Grid Ref: ND3750 (Lat: 58.434837, Lng: -3.0738021)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///value.tasters.guideline. Near Wick, Highland

Nearby Locations

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.434837,-3.0738021
Bus Stop
Wellington Avenue
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 6700600199
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Wellington Avenue
Naptan Indicator: Bus Shelter
Naptan Landmark: Bus Shelter
Naptan NaptanCode: 45326345
Naptan Street: Wellington Avenue
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 58.434643/-3.0791787
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Battery Road
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 6700713263
Naptan Bearing: S
Naptan CommonName: Battery Road
Naptan Indicator: Bus Stop at Shillinghill
Naptan Landmark: Shillinghill
Naptan NaptanCode: 45326343
Naptan Street: Battery Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 58.4330861/-3.0784631
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Shillinghill
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 6700713264
Naptan Bearing: NE
Naptan CommonName: Shillinghill
Naptan Indicator: at Roxburgh Road
Naptan Landmark: Roxburgh Road
Naptan NaptanCode: 45328634
Naptan Street: Battery Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 58.4325223/-3.079285
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
The Kists Caithness
Cairndhuna Rock Caithness

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