Health Walks

Walking is a great way to stay fit and healthy. Caithness´s Healthy Walks will help you get into shape, but they’re also an excellent way to get out and about in your local area, meet new people and it’s free! Funding for the website and development of the health walk routes has been granted by Paths to Health who were established to contribute to health improvement in Scotland through the promotion of walking for health and now forms a key delivery mechanism for Scotland’s Physical Activity Strategy.

Paths to Health | Healthyliving

 

  
 

Walks currently available

Health Walks Cards Packs of Health Walks Cards are available to download below as Acrobat PDFs. The cards feature walks in Caithness and have maps and written directions, along with some points of interest to look out for along the way. The walks are generally between 15 minutes and 1 hour long, with a few longer and shorter ones.
Card Coverage
Walk One (371KB) Covers Dunnet Forest near Thurso.
Walk Two (369KB) Covers Castlehill Trail, Castletown.
Walk Three(118KB) Covers Thurso town centre
Walk Four (88KB) Covers Wick town centre.
Walk Five (37KB) Covers Newtonhill Community Woodland near Wick
Walk Six (106KB) Covers Achvarasdal Woodlands near Reay.

 

  
 

 

Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival

Caithness held its first Walking Festival in 2004 and has gone from strength. It was developed in the following year to the Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival and offers visitors and local people may opportunities to explore the far north of Scotland. Thanks to the good offices of the Forestry Commission, RSPB, Highland Council Ranger Service, Caithness Field Club, Waybaggers local walking group, local businesses and volunteers, the festival is now firmly on the annual events calendar. In 2007 the festial formed part of Highland Year of Culture and was a showcase for many activities available in the area, not just walking. In 2008 the Walking Festival will take place between 1 – 6 May. There will be a number of guided walks on offer, from historical tours to local walking groups. The walks will last between 30 minutes and 1 hour and all are free! There is a walk and cruise which costs £15 for adults and £8 for children - the walk is free.

  • The programme is available to download as a .pdf file.
  • To find out more about the benefits of walking and healthy living, go to these websites:

 


  

 

The Highland Council Ranger Service

The Highland Council Ranger Service is a partnership between the Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage with the aim of promoting public enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside and conserving wildlife. By offering a range of guided walks and illustrated talks, the Highland Council Ranger Service provides the opportunity to discover many of the natural hidden treasures of the area. Dotted along the wild Caithness coastline, rangers are available to guide you through spectacular scenery looking at wild flowers, animals, birds, geology, archaeology and local history. There is something to suit all interests and levels of fitness. Come along and join the Caithness ranger service for a guided walk this summer! Please be prepared for all weather conditions. Stout footwear/waterproof clothing, midge repellent, suntan lotion are recommended for all walks. You may also wish to bring something to eat and drink. GRADES OF WALK Level of difficulty of walks is indicated as follows: Grade A: Walking on established paths on various surfaces & slopes. Grade B: Walking over paths and rough/boggy ground at low level - a reasonable level of fitness is required. Grade C: Walking over paths and rough/boggy ground with some hills - a reasonable level of fitness is required Grade D: Walking through and over mountainous terrain - a good level of fitness is required.

For further information, please contact: North Caithness Ranger M Legg, Dunnet Bay Visitor Centre, Dunnet Bay. Tel: 01847 821531 e-mail: mary.legg@highland.gov.uk East Caithness Ranger M Finlayson, Bruce Building, Sinclair Terrace, Wick. Tel: 01955 607758 e-mail: marina.finlayson@highland.gov.uk Dunbeath Strath/Coast (Allow 2.5 - 3hrs) This is an alternating walk between the ranger service and Dunbeath Heritage Trust. Perhaps a rock pool rummage with foul fulmars and coastal plants along the shore, a strath stroll with legless lizards & soaring buzzards or a heritage walk with fascinating archaeology and local tales. Phone the ranger service for more particulars. Meet Dunbeath Heritage Centre. Regular Wednesday wander in June, July & August. All Walks * Free of charge * Weather dependent * Numbers permitting * Children under age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

 

Caithness Waybaggers

Walking group for longer walks but well within the capability of most reasonably fit people. Great group to see the hills and mountains of Caithness and Sutherland and sometimes farther afield.
Chairman:- Colin Stuart.
Asst. Secretary:- Robert Mackenzie, 49 Seaforth Avenue, Wick, Caithness, KW1 5NE
01955 604773

 

 

Caithness Field Club

The Caithness Field Club has members from all over Caithness with many different backgrounds and interests.  Many of the members are keenly interested in Local History, Archaeology, Geography, Natural History, Palaeontology and other topics.  The Members lead walks and are available to answer questions on the many outings organised throughout the year.  In the winter months indoor activities include lectures, talks, slide shows on a wide range of topics. 

The Caithness Field Club has been publishing bulletins since 1973 with articles covering many aspects of Caithness/Scottish history, geography, wildlife and many other subjects. 

Chairman - Geoff Leet          Tel: 01847 89 6989
Secretary - Marion Owen,    9 Tormsdale Place, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8PZ    Tel: 01847 89 2999
Treasurer - Jack Barnaby     Tel: 01847 89 2583
Editor -       Ken Butler          Tel: 01847 89 3549
Committee Members          Alan Abernethy, Calum McKenzie, Gordon McLachlan,  Myra Wilson

 

Sutherland Walking Group

The Sutherland Walking group has a diverse membership and have plenty of activity in the Sutherland County.

Chairman - Bruce Field         Tel: 01408 633118

 

 

Caithness General Hospital Walking Group

The CGHWG are a bunch of healthy walkers.............

Contact - Drew MacLeod    Email: rhona.macleod@tesco.net