The Clett

Island in Caithness

Scotland

The Clett

Sinclair Bay Looking east along the coast towards Noss Head with its lighthouse and the striking ruins of  castles Girnigoe and Sinclair.
Sinclair Bay Credit: Glen Breaden

The Clett is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Caithness, in the northern part of Scotland. It is situated approximately 500 meters from the mainland, near the village of Staxigoe. The island is easily accessible by boat during low tide, as a natural causeway connects it to the mainland. However, during high tide, the causeway is submerged, making the island appear as if it is floating in the sea.

The Clett is known for its rugged and rocky terrain, with cliffs rising up to 30 meters in height. The island is relatively small, measuring only about 300 meters long and 100 meters wide. Despite its size, it is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, which nest in the cliffs during the breeding season.

The island offers breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the North Sea. Its isolation and unspoiled natural beauty make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and photographers. Visitors can explore the island's rocky shores, observe the bird colonies, and enjoy the peacefulness of the remote location.

Due to its proximity to the mainland, the Clett has a rich history intertwined with Caithness. It is believed to have served as a lookout point during Viking invasions in the past. Today, the island serves as a reminder of the area's historical significance and a testament to the power of nature's forces in shaping the landscape.

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The Clett Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.480043/-3.0554086 or Grid Reference ND3855. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sinclair Bay Looking east along the coast towards Noss Head with its lighthouse and the striking ruins of  castles Girnigoe and Sinclair.
Sinclair Bay
Looking east along the coast towards Noss Head with its lighthouse and the striking ruins of castles Girnigoe and Sinclair.
Noss Head View towards Noss Head, the boundary wall, the outbuildings and the lighthouse.
Noss Head
View towards Noss Head, the boundary wall, the outbuildings and the lighthouse.
Sinclair's Bay - 1987 Noss Head and Noss Head lighthouse and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe ruins seen over Sinclair's Bay from carpark near Ackergill Links (long distance shot).
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a castle located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland, United Kingdom. It is considered to be the one of the earliest seats of Clan Sinclair.
Sinclair's Bay - 1987
Noss Head and Noss Head lighthouse and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe ruins seen over Sinclair's Bay from carpark near Ackergill Links (long distance shot). Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a castle located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland, United Kingdom. It is considered to be the one of the earliest seats of Clan Sinclair.
Noss Head Starlings gather for the evening roost
Noss Head
Starlings gather for the evening roost
Across Sand Geo to Noss Head A pleasant summer evening brings a small boat out to fish off perilous shores
Across Sand Geo to Noss Head
A pleasant summer evening brings a small boat out to fish off perilous shores
Noss Head Lighthouse
Noss Head Lighthouse
Statue of Henry St Clair at Noss Head In the compound of the Noss Head Lighthouse is this statue of Henry St Clair (sometimes spelled Sinclair) Earl of Orkney.  The statue was erected in 2002.
Statue of Henry St Clair at Noss Head
In the compound of the Noss Head Lighthouse is this statue of Henry St Clair (sometimes spelled Sinclair) Earl of Orkney. The statue was erected in 2002.
Compound of Noss Head Lighthouse In the centre of the compound of Noss Head Lighthouse is a statue of Henry St Clair, Earl of Orkney.
Compound of Noss Head Lighthouse
In the centre of the compound of Noss Head Lighthouse is a statue of Henry St Clair, Earl of Orkney.
Track from Noss Head Lighthouse This is the track to/from Noss Head lighthouse.  In the distance, the image shows some of the buildings of the settlement of Noss.
Track from Noss Head Lighthouse
This is the track to/from Noss Head lighthouse. In the distance, the image shows some of the buildings of the settlement of Noss.
Track from Castle Sinclair Girnigoe Heading towards the car park by the road to Noss Head.
Track from Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
Heading towards the car park by the road to Noss Head.
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe in 1999 These ruins are in a striking location by the sea.
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe in 1999
These ruins are in a striking location by the sea.
Castle Sinclair in silhouette
Castle Sinclair in silhouette
Castle Sinclair
Castle Sinclair
Coastline, Noss Head A view along the coastline to Noss Head with the lighthouse visible.
Coastline, Noss Head
A view along the coastline to Noss Head with the lighthouse visible.
Castle Sinclair or Girnigoe
Castle Sinclair or Girnigoe
Castle Sinclair or Girnigoe
Castle Sinclair or Girnigoe
The Track to Noss Head Lighthouse, near Wick, Caithness
The Track to Noss Head Lighthouse, near Wick, Caithness
Noss Head Lighthouse, near Wick, Caithness
Noss Head Lighthouse, near Wick, Caithness
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The Clett is located at Grid Ref: ND3855 (Lat: 58.480043, Lng: -3.0554086)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///truck.depending.troubles. Near Wick, Highland

Related Wikis

Noss Head

Noss Head is a headland on the north-west coast of Scotland that overlooks Sinclairs Bay. It lies approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north-east of Wick...

Noss Head Lighthouse

The Noss Head Lighthouse is an active 19th-century lighthouse near Wick in Caithness in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is located at the end...

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland. It is considered to be one of the earliest seats...

Battle of Champions

The Battle of Champions was a trial by combat fought in 1478 or 1464 between two Scottish clans, Clan Gunn and Clan Keith. It took place at the chapel...

Staxigoe

Staxigoe is a former fishing village, located 2 miles east of Wick on the north-eastern coast of the former county of Caithness, Scottish Highlands and...

Wick Airport

Wick John O' Groats Airport (IATA: WIC, ICAO: EGPC) (Scottish Gaelic: Port-adhair Inbhir Ùige Taigh Iain Ghròt) is located one nautical mile (two kilometres...

Ackergill Tower

Ackergill Tower (or Ackergill Castle) is located on the coast of Sinclair's Bay, about 4 km north of Wick, Caithness, in northern Scotland. It was built...

Wick, Caithness

Wick (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Ùige [ˈinivɪɾʲˈuːkʲə]; Scots: Week) is a town and royal burgh in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland. The town straddles...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.480043,-3.0554086
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.4799472/-3.0553342
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.4799528/-3.0554093
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.4798602/-3.0557714
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.4797957/-3.0560021
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 58.4798126/-3.0560477
Noss Head
Man Made: lighthouse
Seamark Light 1 Character: Fl
Seamark Light 1 Colour: red
Seamark Light 1 Height: 53
Seamark Light 1 Period: 20
Seamark Light 1 Range: 21
Seamark Light 1 Sector End: 191
Seamark Light 1 Sector Start: 100
Seamark Light 1 Sequence: 0.5+(19.5)
Seamark Light 2 Character: Fl
Seamark Light 2 Colour: white
Seamark Light 2 Height: 53
Seamark Light 2 Period: 20
Seamark Light 2 Range: 25
Seamark Light 2 Sector End: 0
Seamark Light 2 Sector Start: 191
Seamark Light 2 Sequence: 0.5+(19.5)
Seamark Light Reference: A 3544
Seamark Name: Noss Head
Seamark Type: light_major
Wikidata: Q17567439
Wikipedia: en:Noss Head Lighthouse
Lat/Long: 58.4790329/-3.0510132
Barrier: cattle_grid
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 58.4762301/-3.0566204
Tourism: picnic_site
Lat/Long: 58.4757806/-3.056853
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.4784994/-3.052398
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.4782702/-3.0535026
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.478043/-3.0545787
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.4777975/-3.0557899
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.477561/-3.0569564
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.4773175/-3.0581579
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.4770898/-3.0592808
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.4768658/-3.0603863
Informal campsite
Tourism: camp_site
Lat/Long: 58.4758224/-3.0572807
Noss Head
Name Sco: Noss Heid
Natural: cape
Lat/Long: 58.4794169/-3.0522581
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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