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Noss Head Lighthouse to Ackergil Harbour via Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Noss Head Lighthouse to Ackergil Harbour via Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Easy

4.5

(2)

hikers

Noss Head Lighthouse to Ackergil Harbour via Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

01:49

7.02km

40m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 8, 2024

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

568 m

Noss Head Lighthouse

Highlight • Monument

The Noss Head lighthouse was built in the 19th century and is notable for being the first to be built with a diagonally patterned lantern room.

The Keepers cottage and house have been converted to holiday accommodation. The light itself has been upgraded from a traditional rotational design to a static LED beam, the light of which can be seen for 25 miles.

The end of the peninsula offers nice views along the coast towards Ackergil.

Tip by

1.87 km

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Highlight • Natural Monument

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a complex of ruined stone structures built and modified over a 200-year period by the Sinclair earls of Caithness, historically one of northern Scotland’s most powerful families. It is located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness, Scotland, on a rocky promontory jutting out into the North Sea. It comprises the ruins of two castles: the 15th-century Castle Girnigoe, and the early 17th-century Castle Sinclair, which was built as an extension of the earlier castle and connected by a drawbridge over a ravine. The castle was the seat of Clan Sinclair and witnessed several conflicts and intrigues, such as the imprisonment and death of John Sinclair, Master of Caithness, by his own father in 1582, and the siege and capture of the castle by George Sinclair of Keiss in 1680. The castle was abandoned after the siege and fell into decay. It is now owned by the Clan Sinclair Trust and undergoing restoration and archaeological research3. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is a historic and scenic landmark that showcases the engineering and natural beauty of Scotland.

Tip by

4.07 km

Ackergill Harbour

Highlight • Structure

The slipway at Ackergil harbour dates from 1910, made out of ferro-concrete and reputedly the first of its type to be constructed in the UK.

From here you can walk along the shore to get a closer view of Ackergill Tower (privately owned hotel); to the east you can access the remains of St. Tear's Chapel.

Tip by

7.02 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.24 km

1.48 km

1.29 km

Surfaces

3.59 km

2.12 km

1.29 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Thursday 23 July

19°C

13°C

94 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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Noss Head Lighthouse to Ackergil Harbour via Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Noss Head Lighthouse

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe

Ackergill Harbour

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