Cape Wrath Durness Scottish Highlands

Cape Wrath
Eighteen kilometers from Durness Village the most north-westerly point on the British mainland.

At the point is Cape Wrath Lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson in 1828 on the most northwesterly tip of the Scottish mainland. The name of the headland derives, not from the stormy waters of the area but from the Norse word for a turning point, for here the Norsemen turned their ships to head for home.

Visitors to the lighthouse can cross the Kyle of Durness by ferry boat and then travel twelve miles by minibus along a track which in winter can be difficult to negotiate

The land between the village and the lighthouse is known as the Parph, two hundred and seven square kilometers of moorland. The first road in the district, built in 1828 by the lighthouse commission, was constructed across the Parph (58` 37.5` N. Latitude; 50` 00.0`W. Latitude) to Britain's most north westerly point. The Cape Wrath road is rough but has some magnificent views. From the bus, several interesting landmarks can be seen.

1. To access the cape Wrath you must first take a ferry across the Kyle of Durness which takes approximately a quarter of an hour.

On completion of the ferry trip there is an optional bus which takes you to the Cape Wrath Lighthouse.

The bus trip takes approximately half an hour each way, the entire excursion takes approximately 2 and a half hours. During the crossing amongst the beautiful scenery you are likely to see Common seals. Daill beach is beautiful secluded spot easily accessed from the ferry point.

2. The tin roof building by the side of the road is an old side school. This was used when a family with children lived too far away from a main school. From 1935 to 1938 there was around thirty five people living on the Cape Side and apart from the lighthouse keepers, all the men were shepherds working for two local farms. There were ten children attending the school. This was last used in 1947. Once there was a thriving population in this now desolate area a world of difference to the Cape Wrath of nowadays where, like many other small Highland communities, the houses lie sad and empty. Do the hundreds of tourists who speed past Achiemore, Daill, Inshore and Kervaig ever give a thought to the families who lived there and the way of life now gone? Like many places in the Highlands it was once a lively community, until the people drifted away to less isolated areas.

3. The wooden bridge was constructed by the Royal Marines in 1980. Frequently the bus carrying passengers to the lighthouse would stall at this point crossing the burn and passengers used to help push the bus out.

4. The house here at Inshore is owned by the MOD. A large area of Cape Wrath is used as an MOD bombing and targeting range. Although access is allowed to Cape Wrath there are restrictions when exercises are taking place. All possible measures are taken to keep interference with the normal everyday activities of people living and working in the area to a minimum and the ranges are only activated on days when noise and vibrations are estimated below certain levels. These levels were ascertained with seismic, geological and noise reverberation level research commissions and with meteorological reports on the day predictions are made as to the likely disturbance. The presence of military activity, which has a long history and is responsible for many disused brick buildings scattered around, brings locally welcomed civilian employment. The MoD has an ongoing conservation programme with the aim of monitoring the effect of bombing on the seabirds.

5. The Clo Mor cliffs are the highest cliffs on the British Mainland with a drop of 620 feet. Just to the east there is a virtual sheer drop of 900 feet. These torridonian Sandstone cliffs area major breeding site for sea birds in the United Kingdom.

6. The track leads down to Kervaig House now used by the Mountain Bothy Association. The bay in front of the house is reputed to be where the Norse men landed their boats. The bay is of outstanding natural beauty and is highly recommended. You can access the bay by walking round the coast from the lighthouse

7. The yellow and black hut before the bridge is a sentry post for there MoD. During exercises sentries are stationed stopping any walkers who may stray on to the range.

8. Looking North east from here you can see Kervaig Bay and the sea stacks. The stack is also known as the cathedral due to the appearance of two spires.

9. The junction goes down to the lighthouse jetty where ships used to deliver the supplies for the lighthouse and population of the Cape Side.

10. The Lighthouse. The old buildings by the Lighthouse are the remains of as signal station which was first used in 1930. All passing shipping had to signal the station giving such information as cargo being carried, port of departure and E.T.A. Looking east from the lighthouse you can see the sea cliffs stretching out towards Durness these cliffs provide ideal habitats for many sea birds.