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 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.