Cape Wrath, Coastal headland in Highland, Scotland
The northwesternmost point of mainland Britain features 281-meter-high cliffs of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss facing the Atlantic Ocean.
The lighthouse, constructed in 1828 to guide maritime navigation, operated with manual control until its conversion to automatic operation in 1998.
The area maintains strong Norse influences, reflected in its name derived from 'hvarf', meaning turning point for Viking ships navigating these waters.
Access requires a ferry crossing at Kyle of Durness followed by an 11-mile journey on the only available mini bus service.
The Ministry of Defence uses sections of Cape Wrath as a military training ground, restricting public access during operational exercises.
Location: Highland
Location: Durness
GPS coordinates: 58.62480,-5.00150
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:54
The Scottish Highlands span thousands of square miles in northern Scotland, offering striking landscapes of mountains, jagged coastlines, and remote lakes. This region retains villages that only recently gained road access, such as Rhenigidale on Harris Island, connected to the rest of the island in 1989. The Knoydart Peninsula remains accessible only by boat or on foot and has about a hundred residents. Notable sites include the Torridon hills, formed of red sandstone and rising roughly 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), the Bealach na Bà road which climbs to 626 meters (2,054 feet) with slopes up to 20 percent, and Sandwood Bay, a sandy beach reachable after several miles of walking. The Speyside Way stretches 85 miles (137 km) along the River Spey, passing through forests and moorlands near whisky distilleries. On the Isle of Skye, the Storr features needle-shaped rock formations, while Coire Lagan forms a glacial cirque carved into the rock. These sites highlight the region’s geological history and the ways of life that have persisted despite isolation.
Smoo Cave
17.7 km
Loch Eriboll
23.4 km
Cape Wrath Lighthouse
155 m
Cranstackie
21.2 km
Beinn Spionnaidh
20.2 km
Balnakeil Church
14.6 km
Meall Meadhonach, wheelhouse 1850m SSW of summit cairn
20 km
Balnakeil House
14.6 km
Duslic Rock
1.5 km
Loch Eriboll Lighthouse
23.8 km
An Garbh-eilan military training ground
8.9 km
Kinlochbervie, Church Of Scotland Church
18.7 km
Bridge, Polla
23.9 km
Achriesgill Bridge
20.6 km
Drochaid Mhor, Bridge
17.4 km
Rhiconich Bridge
22.5 km
Allt Na Guaille bridge
8.4 km
Smoo Lodge
17.5 km
Ard Neackie, Ferry House
24.1 km
Smoo Cave,prehistoric occupation site
17.7 km
Church Of Scotland Manse, Kinlochbervie
18.7 km
Stack Clò Kearvaig
4.1 km
Rispond, Fishing Station
21.4 km
Meall nan Cra, cairns between 1050m E of and 1250m SE of summit
20.6 km
Durness, Leirinbeg House, Steading
16.9 km
Seanachaisteal
15.6 km
Rispond, Fishing Station, Rispond Lodge
21.4 km
Balnakeil, Durness Parish Church, Churchyard
14.5 kmReviews
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