Hooked

WHEN the visitor first arrives in Caithness, he or she cannot help but notice the many lochs and lochans which bejewel our rolling landscape of moor and open field. The visitor may well pause awhile to admire the view, stroll along the water’s edge, or enjoy a picnic on the shore.

By the moorland lochs he could be greeted by the eerie wail of the black-throated diver, or the rush of a startled deer, and near the roadside farmland waters there may be the whoop of a swan or the tranquil buzz of bees.

Virtually all these local lochs contain wild, beautifully marked golden trout within their depths and the fish vary in size from a few ounces to several pounds in weight. More often than not, particularly in the most favoured fishing months of May or June, the visitor will be able to watch fishermen adrift in their boats or bent intently over their rods, plying their fishing lines this way and that over the sparkling waters of Caithness.

The serene swish of the rod, the gentle birdsong and the occasional excited shout as a fish is caught may well seem very appealing to the passing visitor, for the attractions of this popular and relaxing pastime are obvious.

Golf

CAITHNESS offers outstanding opportunities for golfers of all ages and abilities, with its fine mix of links and parkland courses.

The friendly welcome at the Far North’s golfing venues is like a breath of fresh air to many visiting golfers, perhaps more used to the hustle and bustle and time pressures experienced in urban areas farther south.

The four Caithness courses – Wick, Reay, Thurso (all 18 holes) and Lybster (nine holes) – all have their own special attractions and offer their own challenges.

Wick Golf Club (established in 1870) it has a spectacular setting at Reiss, a few miles outside the town, with five castles visible around the wide sweep of Sinclair’s Bay.

This well-known links course (par 70) was lengthened to 6123 yards with the active involvement of Irish golfing star Ronan Rafferty.

Cycling

WITH its gently undulating landscape and its quiet back roads, Caithness is an enticing prospect for a cycling holiday. Away from the busier main routes the county is a haven of traffic-free tranquillity where you can enjoy sweeping views for many miles around.

Any reasonably detailed map of Caithness will reveal a plethora of possible outings – depending, of course, on fitness and ability. But whether you’re a seasoned racing cyclist or a family group wishing to pedal along at a gentler pace, biking the Far North way will invariably be a rewarding experience.

Making waves

CAITHNESS has played host to a number of prestigious surfing competitions, with enthusiasts coming from far and wide to enjoy some of the finest waves in Europe.
And holidaymakers can experience some of the excitement for themselves – even if they have never so much as set foot on a surfboard before!

The climate may be cooler than in the more celebrated surfing hot-spots such as Hawaii or Australia’s Bondi Beach, but that hasn’t stopped Thurso East emerging as a highly-rated international surf venue. British and European championships have been held here and along the coast in Sutherland, with top competitors riding the waves that roll in from the deep Atlantic towards the exposed northern edge of the Scottish mainland.

Despite the lack of shore facilities for visiting surfers, those who come to the Far North in search of Scotland’s best waves rarely go home disappointed. And if you would like to try this truly exhilarating sport, lessons are available locally.

Thurso Surf is a BSA (British Surfing Association) approved surf school catering for everyone from beginners to those at intermediate level. A couple of lessons with the professionals will allow you to get to grips with the basics in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Instructor Andy Bain – a BSA-accredited surf coach and SLSA life-saver – explains that summer is a good time for beginners to get involved, as the waves tend to be smaller and more forgiving then, while advanced surfers can expect more challenging conditions from September to April.

Thurso Surf has been operating successfully since 2003 and anyone interested in taking lessons should get in touch with Andy through the website, www.thursosurf.com Sessions last for two or three hours and are designed to suit either individuals or groups.

Anyone taking a lesson must be able to swim at least 50 metres.
If you take a liking to the sport, you can get kitted out in style at professional surf stockists Tempest Surf, located at Thurso harbour. They offer top equipment and the latest trendy clothing, as well as friendly advice.