Caithness attractions among 'Top 5' far north family days out to enjoy during the holidays

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Venture North, the destination management organisation that promotes responsible tourism in the far north Scottish Highlands, has revealed its 'Top 5 October half term family days out' in Caithness and Sutherland.

1. Geise Farm, Thurso, Caithness

This family farm magical adventure offers visitors a chance to get up close with animals in a picturesque setting alongside Thurso River, including meerkats, Highland cows, Valais Blacknose sheep, rabbits, free-range chickens and cockerels, blue-eyed Embden geese, Kune Kune pigs, Pygmy goats, Alpacas and Llamas. Explore, bring a picnic, take photos and make memories that will last forever.

For more information, visit: https://www.venture-north.co.uk/plan/tours/geise-farm-thurso.

2. The Timespan Museum, Helmsdale, Sutherland

Timespan is an award-winning museum and cultural development organisation which provides a unique experience for locals and visitors alike. Rooted in the village of Helmsdale, Timespan explores the history, heritage and landscape of its distinctive, rural location.

For more information, visit: https://www.venture-north.co.uk/plan/attractions/timespan.

3. Dunrobin Castle & Gardens, Goslpie, Sutherland

Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland's great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland.

Dunrobin Castle is on the east coast of the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth, just north of the villages of Golspie and Dornoch, which is famous for its cathedral and Royal Dornoch Golf Club.

For more information, visit: https://www.venture-north.co.uk/plan/attractions/dunrobin-castle.

4. North West Highlands UNESCO global Geopark

The North West Highlands Geopark is a UNESCO Geopark in the North West Highlands of Scotland, including world class landscape, geology and cultural heritage, visitor centre, guided walks and adventures.

Stretching over 2000 square kilometres in the far corner of mainland Scotland, the North West Highlands Geopark is a striking example of different rock geologies. Starting at 3 billion years old, the Lewisian Gneiss is the oldest rock in Europe. It’s also home to the earliest evidence of life to be found anywhere in Europe.

But the geopark is not just about incredible science. It’s also about beauty. Think white sandy beaches, rocky mountain ridges, atmospheric rock caves, and grass, peatland, moors and forest. Then there’s the wildlife – not just the current seabirds, eagles and sealife, but also the evidence of creatures that once walked this land, hidden deep in caves.

For more information, visit: https://www.nwhgeopark.com.

5. Wick Harbour Evening Boat Tours, Wick, Caithness (October 7–12)

See Wick Harbour in Caithness from a completely different view as experienced by nighttime sailors and fishermen as part of a new series of Wick Harbour Evening Boat Tours, including commentary on the harbour history, past and present. Cruises depart from Wick Harbour around 7.30pm. £10 for adults and £7 for children under 16. To book, call 01955 609 200 or 07747 404 128 or email enquiries@caithness-seacoast.co.uk

For more information, visit: https://www.venture-north.co.uk/events/evening-boat-tours.

People can follow Venture North on social media, including Facebook facebook.com/venturenorthscotland; Twitter twitter.com/VentureNorthSco and Instagram instagram.com/venture_north

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