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Seadrift Centre At Dunnet Bay
Highland Ranger Service In Caithness

     
Millennium Dyke At Dunnet Launched By Local Kids

Ranger Walks Pictures
Bird Watching In Caithness
Exhibits At Ranger Centre
Diary Notes
Dunnet Bay Caravan Site
What's On In Caithness 
Dunnet Bay Area Pages 
Dunnet Bay Map
Caithness Critters
Ken Butler's Plant List
Bio Diversity Pages
Walks In Caithness 
Dunnet Bay Caravan Club
Caravans Camping
Countryside Volunteers
Ranger Walks
Loch Of Mey Bird Hide
Nature Pages
Highland Wild Encounters
Visitor Centre

The Rangers work from The Seadrift Centre at Dunnet.  Here there is an ever-changing exhibition illustrating the natural and local history of the area.   The displays are of interest to all ages.

The opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 2pm - 5pm. Saturday and Sunday 2pm - 6pm from April to end of September. Closed all day Monday.
      Back of the Ranger Base       Map Showing visitor Centre

Rangers Pages On Highland Council Web Site

Ranger Events Calendar

Caithness.org What's On

Guided Walks

For a closer look at the plants of the seashore and dunes or a chance to study the sea birds on the cliffs, join in on a guided walk with the Rangers. The walks last approximately 3 hours and are run throughout the week in summer.

For further details contact the Tourist Information Service or the Local Ranger Service 

Dunnet & North Coast
01847 821531

East Caithness
Marina Swanson on 01955 607758 or
 e-mail marina.swanson@highland.gov.uk
Bruce Buildings, Sinclair Terrace, Wick, KW1 5AB

North Sutherland Ranger
Paul Castle,  01641 521884

Children's Group
Throughout the school holidays there is a children's activity group, when we may look at rock pools, woodlands or mini beasts. For information contact Tourist Information or Local Ranger Service.

The sand dunes and links are fragile habitats and easily damaged. To protect them, no fire-lighting, camping, vehicular use or uprooting of plants is allowed.

The Country Code

  • Keep dogs under control
  • Leave gates as you find them
  • Take your litter home with you. Keep the land tidy.
  • Take only photographs. Leave only footprints.
  • Guard against fire.
  • Park your car with care and thought for others.

The Ranger Service is funded by Highland Council and grant-aided by Scottish Natural Heritage.

The Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve are off the Thurso to John O'Groats road, about thirty minutes' drive from Thurso. There is a grid system of paths within the forest, providing pleasant walks of varied lengths. There is no access to the other areas of the Dunnet links Nature Reserve lying east of the road.

Caravans & Camping
Caravan Site Pictures


A camp site is located beside the Ranger Station and is run by the Caravan Club.  Set near the sand dunes on Dunnet Bay its a great location. Full List of Caithness Campsites

What Else Is In Dunnet?
Take a look at more of the Dunnet area

Bird Watching Links

Marina Swanson's New Zealnd Trip

Mary Legg Highland Ranger In Caithness
Tells of Her Taste of Argentina In 2001


Ranger Areas In Highland

Watch Our Wildlife - Winter

Watch Our Wildlife - Spring

 


 

Watch Our Wildlife - Summer

Ranger photos and information often being added to the new Community Section

24 July 07
Viking Ventures At Melvich And Another Chance For Kids To Join In At Dunnet Forest
The Highland Council North Sutherland and Caithness countryside rangers, with help from volunteers held a joint Viking event - Viking Ventures - at Melvich, on Saturday 21 July. Nineteen people attended the event and had a great time partaking in the various themed challenges to win sections of Viking boat kits which were then assembled....There is another opportunity to join in the fun as the event is taking place again but this time in Caithness on Tuesday 7 August at Dunnet Forest. For further details and booking phone 01847 821531..........

24 July 07
Seadrift Centre At Dunnet Officially Opened
Seadrift, the visitor centre at Dunnet that focuses on the natural heritage of the north coast of Caithness was officially opened to the public on Monday 23rd July by Councillor Drew Hendry, Highland Council's Chairman of Planning Environment and Development Committee. Managed by The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service, "Seadrift" is the new name for the recently refurbished visitor centre. The centre has seen a complete makeover with £100,000 funding from The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, LEADER+ and HIE Caithness and Sutherland. Located at Dunnet sands about one mile from the village of Dunnet, Seadrift visitor centre, is also used as a base for Highland Council's Rangers.

Saturday 21st July 10.30am.
Viking Ventures!
Saturday 21st July 2007
at 10.30am.
Melvich Beach car park.
Have a great fun day as two teams compete in the various challenges to win sections of 2 Viking long boats and let’s see which of the teams can assemble their boat first. Events include physical and mental challenges all with a Viking theme. All materials are provided but bring along your thinking caps and lots of enthusiasm. Will best suit kids from 8 – 14 yrs (any younger kids must be accompanied by an adult) £2 per child.
This event is run as a joint event with the North Sutherland ranger, Caithness rangers and volunteers.
There will be limited numbers able to participate and booking is recommended.
Details and booking Tel:
Paul Castle, North Sutherland Ranger 01641 521884
Mary Legg, Caithness North Ranger 01847 821531

2 April 07
Making Things From Natural Materials
Sunday April 22nd
11.00am to 1.00pm
Meet Dunnet Forest car park
As part of Highland 2007
Working with artist Tim Johnston
For children aged 8 to 12 years
Booking essential tel 01847821531
Cost free

19 March 07
Wheel and Trek Past Altnabreac -
A Challenge For Horse Riders and Cyclists

Saturday 5th May 2007 11am
Self guided challenge for horse riders and cyclists. Bring your own cycle or horse and enjoy a circular trail around forest/open hill tracks in a striking area of Caithness. Cycle this 26km (16miles) route or enjoy it on horse back. Using a map find the stations marked and answer questions about wildlife or the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The event is part of the Scottish Outdoor Access Festival. Separate parking is available for cyclist’s vehicles and horse boxes.

8 March 07
Lindsey Duncan - Temporary Ranger In Caithness
Lindsey Duncan has recently moved to Wick to take up the post as East Caithness Countryside Ranger for the Highland Council. She is covering Marina Swanson’s maternity leave for the next few months and hopes to get to know all there is to know about this fantastic region of the Highlands. Lindsey’s main passion in life is the outdoors. From childhood she gained a love of all things natural and loved to be in the wilds. She was born and has grown up in the Highlands. Her family home is still in the small village of Balloch on the outskirts of Inverness. She spent much of her youth horse-riding and boating around the north-west coast of Scotland with her family.

8 March 2007
Caithness Critters Club Membership Now Open For 2007
The Critters Club membership is currently open as some of the older members have moved on and is looking for new mebers between the ages of 8 and 14 to take part in some of the coming events. For more details contact the Ranger Service at Wick.  The Caithness Critters is a local children's nature group run by the Highland Council Ranger Service.  The club is open to children aged 8 to 14 with an interest in wildlife & the environment.  The club meets on a regular basis & aims to encourage greater appreciation for the environment and wildlife by raising awareness at an early age.  the next event is on Saturday 10th March at Latheron Woodland

Earlier Ranger Events