Some reports from outings

Constitution of Caithness Field Club

NON-MEMBERS ARE WELCOME. WE MEET AT THE TRAIN STATION CAR PARKS IN WICK AND THURSO. ARRIVE WEARING BOOTS AND SUITABLE CLOTHING WITH A PACKED LUNCH. EVERYONE COMES AT THEIR OWN RISK.
NO DOGS

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7 July 08
Outing To Grianan, Loch Hakel Near Tongue

Caithness Field Club members travelled to Lochan Hakel or Hakoin and then by a small rubber dingy on to an islet some 50 metres from the edge to see a small fort called 'Grianan'.  The fort is reputed  to have been a hunting lodge of the king of Norway (1217 - 63) after whom the Loch is named.  The walls are 6 - 7 feet thick and up to 5 ft high.  The single room measures 19 by 22ft.  There are no signs of doors or windows and the door may have been higher up originally.  The weather on the day was misty and later rain on the way back round the loch. 
A cup and ring stone can be found opposite the islet and has 34 cup marks and 11 of them have rings round them.
The group eat their lunch on the islet and stopped of at the Bettyhill hotel for coffee before returning home.
Geoff Leet and Bill Fernie paddled the boat the length of the loch to the island whilst the others walked round.  Geoff and Callum paddled back whilst Bill and the others walked round the other shore back to the cars.
Map ref NC569526

23 April 07
Caithness Field Club Outing To Brora and Golspie
On Sunday 22nd April 2007 Caithness Field Club members went on day trip to Brora and Golspie.  At Brora a local historian showed them round the Salt Pans area of Back Beach, Brora and described how the coal was used in the making of salt. Various features at the beach were noted and long the way spots of interest were pointed out. Buildings at the beach have in recent years become visible once again due to coastal erosion - they had been covered in sand dunes long ago.  Lunch was taken at the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora before the group boarded the bus to the next stop and walked along the picturesque Big Burn to the waterfall at the end.  For more information on history in Brora see www.clyneheritage.com

21 January 07
Rumster Forest
Field Club members set out on their first walk of 2007 on beautiful morning with the sun shining.  The small amount of now was crisp underfoot and made ideal conditions for walking along the tracks of the forest. the forest has a large number of long houses and some are easily visible at the old crofting village of Golsary.  Many of the houses were lived in until 1947 when it was all taken over for forestry.  At Golsary a broch sits behind on of the houses.  One of the houses also has a fine example of a drying kiln.  The walkers also took quick look at the burnt out remains of the Rumster Outdoor Centre that had been unused for some years and was burnet down in 2006.  The walk that was just over 4 miles took about 2and a half hours and members made it back to the cars just as the first icy rain of the day made an appearance  - perfect timing.

16 November 06
1991 Bulletin Added
With the ongoing help of Janet Mackenzie we are now heading for the last couple of Bulletins to complete the full set since publication began in 1973.  We also apologise that 1994 was previously wrongly listed as 1991.  This error has now been rectified.

11 November 06
Caithness Field Club Dinner
Caithness Field Club members met for their annual dinner at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Friday night.  chairman Geoff Leet introduced Lord Lieutenant Anne Dunnet as the guest speaker.
 

23 April 06
Bus Trip To Durness
Photos mainly taken through the bus window but very clear for all that.  Some outside at various places stopped off along the way.  Photos will be posted as time allows in coming weeks.

14 June 05
The Coast From Wick To Lybster - A Fantastic Trip At This Time Of Year
 
The Caithness Field Club hired the boat Freedom from Freedom Charters on Sunday and went along the coast from Wick to Lybster.  the group split into to groups and one lot travelled to Lybster and the group organised folk to drive cars back to wick for the folk coming the other way on the return.  What a fabulous trip it is at this time of year with hundreds of thousands of sea birds nesting along the coast. 

6 April 05
AGM 2005
At the AGM a good turn out. The same committee was re-elected for the coming year.  Myra Wilson showed some slides and Geoff Leet ran fun competition testing the skills of the audience in identifying some features from buildings around the county.  It was confirmed that the club weekend is fully booked but members who want to can leave their name with Marion in case of a cancellation.

For Earlier Items See Archive Section

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.  Click here for the Bulletins Index.