Durness Beach
Adrenaline
Ceannabeinne beach near Durness is a stunning stretch of golden sand with – depending on the weather – either huge, impressive breakers crashing its shores, or foam-filled waves lapping gently. But for a completely different perspective, launch yourself across its beauty at up to 40mph on the thrilling (and aptly named) Golden Eagle Zip Lines. It’s breath-taking – in more ways than one!
Explore the adjacent deserted township and discover its fascinating history while you get your breath back.
North Coast Watersports
Surf and SUP
Those waves are just waiting to be ridden – but is it as easy as it looks?
North Coast Watersports will teach you to surf and SUP in the most northerly surf school in Scotland. They have (literally) all the gear and every idea, to take you from complete novice to… well… someone who has at least tried, and who has got very wet, but had enormous fun in the process. Their team of fully qualified instructors can teach anyone a thing or two, no matter your skill level. No regrets. Are you all in? Meet them at Dunnet Bay or Ceannabeine. They offer immersive (no pun intended) retreats with yoga thrown in too.
Ever fancied trying a mega-sup? The huge board, for hire from Brora-based Sutherland Adventure Company, is good for up to eight of you, and a two-hour hire on Loch Brora could be exactly the team or family-bonding afternoon you needed. Can you keep your balance? What, all of you? Aye, right… They also offer SUP lessons for beginners and intermediates, and - if you prefer to stay dry – walking and mountain-biking guided tours.
Ben Bhraggie overlooking Golspie village
Mountain Bike
Yes, of course you can spend your evenings poring over maps and plotting routes that will take you high into our mountains, give you access to paths less ridden, and take you to places no tyres have made tracks for months, and many people do. Our landscape is vast, and there is room for us all. But why not challenge yourself on some of our way-marked trails too?
In East Sutherland the views from Highland Wildcat Mountain Bike Trails are tremendous… but don’t let them distract you on some of the more technical descents – you have been warned! The trail from the top of Ben Bhraggie is the second longest freeride descent in the UK. It’s an interesting climb up through the trees from the centre of Golspie, and the descent is full of jumps and berms, as well as more technical rock sections and drop-offs. There are blue, red, and black routes – something for everyone. But those views...
Balblair Mountain Bike Trails just north of Bonar Bridge sits above the Kyle of Sutherland. From a gentle gravel blue, to a challenging 11km bare-rock, boardwalk, gravel-pathed black to challenge your fitness, you’ll find something here whatever your level of confidence and stamina. Some of the best in the country? We think so!
Stags on the road to Bettyhill
Something completely different!
We often equate the word ‘thermal’ with staying warm while we’re outdoors in the fresh air, but Connell Outdoor Pursuits offers ‘thermal tours’ with a twist. They’ve created a thermal imaging wildlife safari.
Many of our native animals prefer to stay out of sight during the day, making it hard to track their movements. Using the latest thermal imaging technology, Connell Outdoor brings the animals’ nocturnal activities to life. Join them on an after-dark safari to see pine marten, foxes, deer and more as you’ve never seen then before. In a toasty warm vehicle your own thermals will not be needed!