When can I check in and check out of North Keiss Camper Site?

Camping and touring Arrive: Anytime – Anytime Depart by: 11 a.m. Read more

North Keiss Camper Site

7.1 7 reviews

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1/8

No-frills Caithness campsite with spectacular sea views at Keiss
A 10-minute drive to John O’Groats; Nybster Broch a 15-minute walk
Dog-friendly wild pitches; pubs five minutes' drive away

This is one for all you North Coast 500 adventurers or solitude seekers. Whether you’re overnighting along the famous driving route or planning on hanging around to explore this untamed corner of Caithness, pitches at North Keiss Camper Site near John O’Groats have some seriously spectacular sea views. The views – which also take in the photogenic ruins of Old Keiss Castle – are what makes this remote and dog-friendly place special; on the facilities front you’re left to your own devices on a wild site with no waste disposal, water or electricity. If you’re looking for active holidays, you’ll certainly be in the right place, as nearby there are facilities for surfing and sailing. If you’d prefer to get sporty on dry land, go mountain biking, horse riding or simply walk your canine chums along the shoreline at Keiss beach (five minutes’ drive). Pick up foodie essentials in the supermarkets of Wick (15 minutes’ drive); if you’re not in the mood for cooking, there’s a welcoming local pub in Keiss (five minutes’ drive or 20 minutes’ walk), which serves fish and chips as well as home-cooked curries.

Site type

Languages spoken

Dutch

English

Polish

Features

Pop-up campsite

Dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house

Cycle hire

Evening entertainment

Fishing

Fitness centre

Games room

Indoor swimming pool

Kids' club

On-site restaurant/cafe

Outdoor swimming pool

Play area

TV room

Take away

Tennis

Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

Dog park

Drying room

Food shop

Free wifi

Ice pack freezing

Internet access

Launderette

Parent & baby washroom

Pick-up from public transport

Portable toilet

Pub toilets

Public telephone

Shower available

Toilet block

Washing-up area

Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly

Motorcycle friendly

Rallies welcome

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Peaceful

Remote location

Spectacular scenery

Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities

Chemical disposal

Electric car charging point(s)

Gas cylinders available

No running water

Recycling available

Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby

Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm

Pop-up campsite

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Horse riding nearby

Mountain biking nearby

Outdoor pool nearby

Restaurant nearby

Sailing nearby

Surf school nearby

Location

North Keiss Camper Site

Kirkstyle Cottage

Keiss

John o' Groats

Caithness

Scotland

KW1 4XF

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

58.54401°N
-3.09783°W

Route directions

Satnav doesn’t work, so please use the What3words app: pens.octagonal.referral Exit the village of Keiss heading north to John O’Groats. Continue to the top of the hill and drive for a few hundred metres. The campsite is near a bungalow on the right-hand side of the road facing the sea.

Nearest transport

Rail

7.1 mi Wick Rail Station

13 mi Georgemas Junction Rail Station

15.9 mi Thurso Rail Station

Ferry

7 mi Gills Bay Ferry Terminal

7 mi John O' Groats Ferry Terminal

14.3 mi Burwick Sth Ronaldsay Orkney Ferry Terminal

Airport

6.3 mi Wick Airport

29.2 mi Kirkwall (Orkney) Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Hikers can follow the Ceum Path along Sinclair’s Bay from Keiss beach, or choose a section of the John O’Groats Trail (both five minutes’ walk) along the cliff tops and past ruined castles as it runs north from Inverness. Time-honoured local landmarks along this wild coastline include Old Keiss Castle (five minutes’ walk), where 16th-century remains tower above Sinclair’s Bay, Bucholie Castle (five minutes’ drive) and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe (25 minutes). There’s more history to be seen along the way too, with the prehistoric brochs at Keiss (five minutes’ walk), Nybster (15 minutes) and Ness (55 minutes). Learn all about these ancient dwellings at the Caithness Broch Centre in Auckengill (five minutes’ drive). Famous as the start or finish of thousands of charity walks and bike rides, John O’Groats (10 minutes) is the northernmost town on the Scottish mainland. Visit to take a selfie at the John O’Groats sign and stroll along the headland for North Sea views. It’s also the departure point for cruises into the Pentland Firth to (hopefully) spot grey seals, minke whales and dolphins.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Dunnet	10.3 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Thurso	15.7 mi	Sea	N/A	Good	Good	N/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

The Castle & Gardens of Mey 7.9 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Noss Head and Sinclair and Girnigoe Castles 4.9 mi

Staxigoe to Noss Head 6.2 mi

The Stacks of Duncansby 7.3 mi

Dwarwick to Castletown 11 mi

Dwarwick Pier - Peedie Sands - Dwarwick Pier 11.1 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Reviews

would recommend this site to a friend

would stay here again

42%
10
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9
28%
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1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Everything…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	10

Soraya Z. Feb 2023

Non-electric hardstanding and grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Everything

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Not suitable during the wet winter months

Overall	2/10
Location	10
Value for money	2
Accommodation	2
Facilities / Activities	2
Customer service	2
Child friendliness	2
Cleanliness	2
Wifi	2

Anonymous Jan 2023

Non-electric hardstanding and grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Great view of the North Sea

Disliked: Very wet and muddy pitches which were unsuitable for a campervan. Unable to stay as we struggled even with all terrain tyres to get out of the mud

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent pitch with great views, needs better prep for all seasons

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	6
Facilities / Activities	No rating
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	6
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

Molly B. Jan 2023

Non-electric hardstanding and grass motorhome pitch

Liked: The views were stunning and the site was peaceful. Nice welcome from the owner

Disliked: Campsite was on grass and was not prepared for snow. We couldn't drive out to do our daily activities because we were stuck

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nothing…

Overall	2/10
Location	No rating
Value for money	No rating
Accommodation	No rating
Facilities / Activities	No rating
Customer service	No rating
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

Chris C. Jan 2023

Non-electric hardstanding and grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Nothing

Disliked: Poor directions and when we did find what we thought was it, it was like someone’s back garden on the edge of a cliff. There was a very steep access path and if we had gone down it, I don’t think we would have made it out again. We had to find somewhere else to stay on New Year’s day! Very disappointed!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Basic but wonderful sea view

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	No rating
Facilities / Activities	No rating
Customer service	No rating
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

Simon J. Oct 2022

Non-electric hardstanding and grass motorhome pitch

Liked: View

Recommend to friends Visit again

One of the best locations I have ever been. Directly by the…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	No rating
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	8

Roberto B. Oct 2022

Non-electric hardstanding and grass motorhome pitch

Liked: One of the best locations I have ever been. Directly by the sea, with stunning views across Sinclair bay. I was lucky enough to see Sea Dolphins early in the morning. The site is also easily accessible, as it is directly off the NC500. I also found the pitch perfect for my large motorhome, as it is a level parking area which looks to be hardcore with gravel on top and then grass, so no risk of sinking. I will definitely be back to this site, it really is a gem.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely spot near the coast. Friendly owner. No frills so I asked…

Overall	8/10
Location	8
Value for money	8
Accommodation	4
Facilities / Activities	2
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	2
Cleanliness	4
Wifi	2

Tracy D. Sept 2022

Non-electric hardstanding and grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Lovely spot near the coast. Friendly owner. No frills so I asked for water.

Disliked: Getting back up the drive after a night of rain was a bit scary! Some skidding involved. Coastal path was a bit treacherous. Would not recommend on your own like me! Very very windy

Recommend to friends Visit again

Does North Keiss Camper Site have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is North Keiss Camper Site dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near North Keiss Camper Site? Hikers can follow the Ceum Path along Sinclair’s Bay from Keiss beach, or choose a section of the John O’Groats Trail (both five minutes’ walk) along the cliff tops and past ruined … Read more
When can I check in and check out of North Keiss Camper Site?

Camping and touring

Arrive: Anytime – Anytime

Depart by: 11 a.m.

Read more