Scotland4me.net Out and About

	Scotland4me.net	'Out and About'
'Caithness'
	Brief history - Caithness became a local government county, with its own county council, in 1890, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. Officially within the county the burghs of Wick and Thurso retained their status as autonomous local government areas. County and burgh councils were later abolished in 1975 as a result of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and Caithness then became one of eight districts each with its own district council. In 1996 the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 trasnsformed the region to a unitary local government area and the district councils were abolished. As registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area Caithness has a land boundary with the equally historic local government area of Sutherland. Otherwise it is bounded by sea. The land boundary follows a watershed and is crossed by two roads, the A9 and the A836, and one railway the Far North Line. Ferries link Caithness with Orkney and Caithness has also an airport at Wick. The Pentland Firth island of Stroma is within Caithness. In 2001 Caithness had a resident population of 23,866.
	Castle of Mey - Caithness is an area full of interesting Castles. With probably more castles and fortified sites or earlier broch sites along the coast than almost any place in Scotland many interesting days can be spent checking them out. Castle Of Mey is now one of the foremost attractions in the North of Scotland for visitors, the castle is a small one but due to its royal connections is a very popular place these days. The site has had a castle in place for hundreds of years and was formerly Barrogil. The castle itself has a walled garden for anyone interested in seeing the plants that will do well in the windy weather blowing in from the Pentland Firth.
	Sandwood Bay - Worth the walk. There is nowhere to get a postcard or an ice cream, but that is precisely why Sandwood Bay is one of Europe's best beaches. It is worth it's weight in gold, wherelse can you find an isolated beach of such beauty. There are miles of clean beaches all around the coast of Caithness.
	John O'Groats - Although there is an hotel and a small modern shopping area which also accommodates tourist information office, there is not much more to see in John O'Groats but the scenery is breathtaking. No matter whether you travel there by bus or car it is certainly the ultimate experience knowing that you have reached the furthermost part of Scotland's mainland.
	Drumberg Loop - If you are in a hurry or stressed then do not travel along this route which stretches from Lochinver and back covering 25 miles of narrow, twisting road. There are special 'toad signs' to alert you to the hazard of toads crossing the road especially at night when they are most 'active' during the breeding season. There is a small bridge and a junction left to Achmelvich worth the short detour to visit one of the finest beaches around. Returning to the junction and turning north leads you after a few miles to a stream which crosses under the road and heading towards the sea. You will discover many a distraction that will make you want to stop and stare. Take it slowly and enjoy it.
	Caithness Glass - Caithness Glass set up their studios in 1961 in Wick, in the Highlands of Scotland, to produce museum-quality glass paperweights and other artglass. They soon developed a distinctive style, modern free form designs with innovative and dramatic use of colour. Discerning and enthusiastic collectors worldwide seek their work. Each paperweight is handcrafted in Scotland, a unique piece of art. Since then other glass items were added to their collection of house wares. The Visitor Center can now be found in Muthill Road, Crieff, Perthshire.
	scotland4me.net2007