Local Attractions & North Coast 500
Tarbet for Handa Ferry and Seafood Restaurant
Handa Island has over 200,000 seabirds on its towering cliffs, including internationally important numbers of guillemot, razorbill and great skua. Plus more than 250 pairs of puffin breed here. Also Otters, dolphins, minke whales, pilot whales, porpoises, basking sharks and the amazing orca (killer whales) also occasionally go by.
Handa island is a short ferry ride from Tarbet nearby (Turnoff 3 miles up the coast road, A894) and boasts magnificent sea cliffs teaming with wildlife. There is a lovely seafood restaurant called the Shorehouse Seafood Restaurant down by the ferry pier. Call 01971 502251 to book a table.
Handa Ferry for Handa Island
Sailings to island Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 2:00pm (FINAL OUTWARD TRIP) – There is no online booking as the ferry is weather dependent but if you have any questions there are email details and a telephone number for the ferryman Roger on the HANDA FERRY WEBSITE
Bird life: Over 150 species including over 100,000 resident guillemots.
Plants: In excess of 216 species.
Mosses: In excess 100 types of moss.
History: Up until the mid 19th century, Handa supported a relatively large population for its size – in the census of 1841, 63 people lived there. Traditionally, the oldest widow was given the title “Queen of Handa”.
Local Scourie Village
Scourie has a general store with post office, petrol station and Hotel with restaurant and bar open to non residents [website].
North Highlands for Walking, Bikes, Boats, Fishing,Wildlife, History, & Geology
Touring base for the whole of the North Highlands including East and North coasts.
Only 60 miles from Dornoch on the East Coast, 25 miles to Durness on the North Coast and 40 miles southwards takes you to Ullapool. This last section, the trip on the winding road to Ullapool takes you past the most spectacular craggy coastline with inland waterways, secluded beaches and impressive mountains to your left. In fact the Geology is so impressive and diverse here that the origins of global plate movements were discovered – a must visit is the Geo centre to the south of Scourie on the Ullapool road.
The North West around Scourie & NC 500
Hiking
Scourie is fantastic location to base your walking holiday. With the hills of nearby and the most Northern Munro Ben Hope only a short drive away give hill walking enthusiasts have plenty of scope for adventure. For those who prefer a little less uphill, the coastal paths offer peace and wonderful views, and Ranger Walks run in the summer.
Culture and History
Evidence of the long history is evident in the ruins and buildings of the area, and in the culture of today.
There is evidence of mankind in this area dating back 6000 years.
Highland Gathering
On the last Friday in July local Durness hosts the Highland Gathering, where you watch traditional competitions such as tossing the caber and highland dancing. Events are open to anyone who fancies a challenge
There’s also less traditional events such as tug of war, tip the bucket and the pillow fight for those who want a laugh.
Kayaking/Surfing
With the number of inlets, bay and coves in the area, Sea Kayaking around Cape Wrath and along the North Coast is popular in summer. Scourie makes an ideal base for this sport.
Coasteering
For those after something a little different, why not try coasteering. Explore the coast by swimming, scrambling and jumping and see caves, arches and other features you would never otherwise find.
Geo Park
Durness and the surrounding area sits at the corner of the North West Highlands Geopark. Scotland’s first Geopark, it part of global network of territories with exceptional geological features.
The area surrounding Scourie offers an amazing opportunity to explore the landscape in the most sparsely populated corner of Europe.
Cape Wrath
This is the most North-Westerly point in mainland Britain. A passenger ferry across the Kyle drops you at a road and from there you could walk, cycle or catch a bus along this remote corner of the country
Cycling
As the North West corner of the British road system, cycling through and around Durness is very popular.
Durness Golf Course
Nine greens with eighteen different tees, this golf featured on Peter Aliss has spectacular views over Balnakeil Bay and Cape Wrath. Not to be missed by golfing enthusiasts, guests are welcome.
Day Trips from Scourie: The NC500
The North Coast 500: Discover more about one of the top coastal routes in the world
The North Coast 500 (NC500) was originally identified as Scotland’s answer to Route 66 in the US, the route brings together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery in the far north Highlands of Scotland. The NC500 is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips.
Whether you want to explore opulent castles and historic buildings, sample a dram of whisky, take to the water on an exhilarating wildlife safari, or just take in the stunning scenery the North Coast 500 offers a truly diverse range of experiences.
Scourie has always been a fabulous location to spend a few days exploring the sights and scenes and many activities mentioned above. But as typified by the North Coast 500 initiative we are now finding increasing numbers of you using us as a stopping place to investigate the wider highlands. In this section there are some attractions to visit from Ullapool to, Durness to John O’Groats and the magnificent beaches and rugged coastline here on the West Coast.
The North of the Highlands is rich in history with Dunrobin Castle & Castle of Mey as two of many local visitor sites on the North Coast on the NC500. With Thurso, Wick, Durness and Ullapool on also on the main coastal 500 mile tourist road as day trip destinations each with their own history and sites of interest such as Pulteney Distillery in Wick.
