Loch Eriboll, Ard Neakie

This unusual spit of land has been a centre of much industry over the last 200 years. Originally a centre for the local kelp industry and a terminus for the Heilam Ferry which crossed the loch to Portnancon. The Reay Estate built 4 lime kilns around 1870 which used lime stone from the quarry behind the kilns.

The kilns were probably fed by coal from the Brora coal mine on the east coast. The lime was used to neutralise land for cultivation and was transported by ships. The ferry ceased operation in 1890 when the road was completed around Loch Eriboll, the deepest sea loch in Scotland.

Loch Eriboll was an important anchorage for the Navy during much of the 20th century and in May 1945 was the site of the German U-boat surrender. During WWII Ard Neakie was used by the Navy to store supplies and ammuniton in the caves and by then, redundant lime kilns.