Celtic Lodges

Wildlife

Wildlife in Scotland

Wild and rugged Dunnet Head is a place of spectacular 360 views across the sea. There is a viewing platform where visitors can watch birds in the cliffs. Depending on the season, birds may include Fulmars, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Puffins, Great Skuas, Arctic Skuas, Razorbills, and at sea Gannets and Herring Gulls. 

Dunnet Head nature reserve, a rugged peninsula in Caithness located on the north coast of Scotland in The Highlands and is the most northerly point of mainland Britain. It’s a wild and untamed landscape, with stunning sea cliffs and coastal grasslands. As you might expect, this highland reserve is a seabird sanctuary.

Above the cliffs, you’ll find a rich mix of coastal heathland and grassland habitats with special plants such as Spring Squill, Thrift and Roseroot. RSPB Scotland manage the reserve for the benefit of the wildlife that calls it home. They also monitor the seabirds every year as part of national surveys. This helps to keep track of how they’re doing and learn more about their behaviour. 

There is a large car park at Dunnet Head (run by Highland Council). The nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. During the ground-nesting bird breeding season (April to mid August) they ask that you keep dogs close to you, preferably on a short lead and please clean up after your dog.

The address for Dunnet Head is: Dunnet Head Lighthouse, Thurso, Highland, KW14 8XS 

Read our full guide to Dunnet Head.

Duncansby Stacks at Duncansby Lighthouse in John O’Groats is another favourite for wildlife as well as stunning views of Orkney. 

Seal Watching

You can watch seals and their pups at Harrow Harbour and Harrow Cove which is just 1.8 miles from Celtic Lodges. Very few people know about this spot but please stay at least 100m from the seals and their pups.


Orca Watch

A must watch episode of BBC’s Countryfile program! Hamza goes in search of Orca whales and visits Dunnet Head, John O’Groats, Duncansby Stacks, Dunnet Bay and Dunnet Forrest. 

Hamza and volunteers assemble for the annual nine-day survey to document Orca Whales. While he scans the horizon for dorsal fins, Hamza learns how citizen science is transforming what we know about this intelligent and elusive predator of the sea. 

Wildlife in Scotland