In the Summer of 2024, the Flow Country, a widely unknown area of Scotland made the news – being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It joins just over 1200 locations worldwide awarded this accolade, joining well-known sites such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Taj Mahal.
What’s so special about the Flow Country?
The Flow Country (also known locally as the Flows) is the only peatland in the world to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Over 10,000 years old, it’s a rich natural habitat for wildlife and a key defence against climate change.
A wide expanse in the interior heartland of the North Highlands, the Flow Country is a deep layer of blanket peat bog covering a large part of Caithness and Sutherland, which stores around 400 million tonnes of carbon. Until the 21st Century, the Flow Country was left largely untouched. After a few decades of activity, there’s been a concerted effort in the last 40 years to protect and celebrate this unique landscape, culminating in achieving UNESCO Recognition in July 2024.
What can I see and do in the Flows?
The Flow Country is a paradise for photography and nature lovers, walkers, cyclists and anyone who wants to enjoy a historic, calm and peaceful place in the North Highlands.
The Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve is open 24 hours a day and the short Dubh-lochain trail (allow 45 minutes) takes you on a wooden walkway to a two storey lookout tower. You can get some stunning views at all times of the year – every day is different. You can even send your own research to the Flow Country team using your smartphone camera!
The return leg of the trail is on Caithness flagstone steps, and you’ll be able to get up close to see insects and carnivorous peatland plants!
Our top tip: Don’t venture away from the marked trail, otherwise you’ll get very wet feet!
For a more varied walk taking in open hill ground, open plantation and farmland, the Forsinan Trail (6.5km) definitely requires appropriate footwear as it can be boggy underfoot in parts.
To delve into the history of the Flow Country, there is an excellent exhibition and kids activities in the RSPB Visitor Centre which is open from 9am – 5pm during the summer (April -Oct) and 10am – 2pm during the winter (Nov-March). It can be found in the old railway station building.
Allow an hour to enjoy the video presentations, and to wander round the exhibition where you can learn about various wildlife and the unique peatland environment! Toilet facilities and a tea/coffee machine is available.
1 mile north of Forsinard is Forsinard Lodge which serves homebaking, paninis, savoury snacks, and drinks in their tearoom. You can even have afternoon tea (advance booking required).
For other walk routes, consult this Flow Country leaflet.
Top tip: Make sure you have an insect repellent close to hand for dry and breezeless days, as the infamous Scottish midge thrives in these conditions!
The Flow Country is a precious natural environment and just like the rest of the country the Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies – Take plenty of photos, lots of memories and any litter away with you!
How do I get to the Flow Country?
The Flow Country is accessible by car, bike and train. It’s a detour well worth doing if you are travelling on the North Coast 500. From the turning east of Melvich (signposted A897) it’s just over 20 minutes to Forsinard by car. From Forsinard to Celtic Lodges, the drive time is just over an hour. There’s plenty of parking at the RSPB Visitor Centre.
If you want a break from driving, you can also make a day of it and travel by train from Thurso – the closest station to Celtic Lodges – to Forsinard (40 minutes). There are only 4 trains a day along the Far North Line so it’s essential to check the Scotrail website before you travel to check that your chosen train journey is operating.
Where else should I explore?
There are also excellent museums on the north coast in and close to the Flow Country which provide insight into the some of the wider history and heritage of the North Highlands:
- Strathnaver Museum (Highland Clearances)
- North Coast Visitor Centre – Thurso (Nuclear energy, archaeology and Caithness history)
Other wildlife sites:
- Just a 15 minute drive from our lodges in Scarfskerry, Dunnet Head Wildlife Reserve is a fantastic place to spot puffins, dolphins and whales in the summer months. Take care as the cliffs are steep, and keep dogs on a lead.
- St John’s Pool, Brough – water level hides for bird photography available for hire year round.
- Broubster Leans RSPB Reserve, near Thurso – a small nature reserve
- If you visit the Flow Country after your stay at Celtic Lodges, explore the geological heritage of the North West Highland Geopark – which is registered as a UNESCO Geopark.
Other opportunities for food and drink in the area:
- Coastline Coffee Shop Melvich
- Halladale Inn
- The Wee Shop, Westfield
Beaches:
- Strathy
- Melvich
