The Area - Dalview Cottage Strathy

There are lovely walks direct from the cottage. The small lane winds down to Strathy Beach. Here the wide sweeping sandy bay is bounded by small cliffs and rocky outcrops.

Colourful wildflowers grow on the hinterland and the River Strathy flows into the sea.

This unbelievably spectacular beach is usually almost deserted; an ideal place for secluded sunbathing, picnics and a host of water sports such as surfing and kayaking.

The local area is renowned for its fishing, with sea, loch and river fishing all enjoyed locally.

The immediate area is a wildlife watcher’s paradise. Whales, basking sharks, porpoises, seals and otters are all seen in the region. There is also a colony of puffins at nearby Puffin Cove a few miles along the road to the East. These are usually seen in the spring and early summer.

The pretty villages along this stretch of coastline also have good local facilities including pubs and restaurants. Golf, canoeing, cycling, hill-walking, climbing and horse riding are all local pastimes.

Things to do in the area around Strathy

Wildlife

There is an abundance of wildlife in the Northern Highlands - just look around! Puffins in spring at Puffin Cove, minke whales in the Pentland Firth - local rangers offer whale-watching activities - sea birds, dippers and plovers, birds of prey, wildflowers and the largest peatland bog in Europe, known as the Flow Country - visit the RSPB at Forsinard for more information.

Mountains

If you wish to bag a Munro, Ben Hope and Ben Loyal are only a drive away near Tongue. Many other mountains and hills are accessible from Strathy. The OS Map for this area is Ordnance Survey Explorer map 449 - Strath Halladale & Strathy Point.

Fishing

There is an abundance of sea, river and loch fishing in the area. River and Loch fishing permits and other information can be obtained from Bowside.

Shopping

There are supermarkets and independent shops in both Thurso (20 miles) and Wick (40 miles). Nearby Melvich and Bettyhill have small grocery stores and post offices. Along the coastline, there are various craft and gift shops such as at Balnakiel Craft Village at Durness (50 miles) with the famous Cocoa Mountain.

Surfing

Thurso is known worldwide as a surfers' paradise! Lessons and activities from North Coast Watersports at Dunnet Bay, Strathy and Melvich.

Golf

Reay is the nearest golfing and is also Britain's most northerly 18-hole links course. This beautiful course is right on the coast and is ideal for novices or experienced golfers.

Reay Golf Club is a prime example of how a combination of proactive management and minimal input can lead to a landscape that is visually attractive, a tough test for golf and, significantly, a diverse habitat for a variety of wildlife. We have remained true to the links heritage and as such can now offer one of the few remaining pristine links lands in Scotland. Reay Golf Club.

Sea Trips

Check out Caithness Seacoast for information on trips around Caithness. Further afield are boat trips from Kylesku and Cape Wrath.

Horse Riding

There are a number of facilities in the local area which offer horse riding for beginners or more experienced riders.

Farm Buggy Tours

Get a tour around the farm on a 4 wheel drive buggy, get up close to cows, sheep, deer and lots of other wildlife. Kirkton Farm Buggy Tours.

Chocolate!

CoCo Chocolatier offers chocolate workshops in Bowermadden and a visit to Cocoa Mountain in Durness is essential!