Sprawling between Loch Eriboll and Cape Wrath, Durness is a Scottish Highlands village and parish overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s renowned for its rugged coastal cliffs, beautiful beaches, and being home to one of the United Kingdom’s most unique caves.
A highlight of visiting Durness is exploring the Smoo Cave, which combines a sea-eroded chamber with freshwater passages. During the wet season, the 20-metre-high waterfall of Allt Smoo cascades within the cave while seals, porpoises and minke whales can be spotted from the surrounding cliffs.
On the western edge of Durness lie the ruins of Balnakeil Church, which is believed to have been built by Donald Mackay of Farr in 1619. It was constructed on the site of an 8th-century church, with evidence that Celtic, Roman Catholic and Protestant religions have all worshipped here. The ruins are a short stroll from Balnakeil Beach and the Durness Golf Club.
Getting there
Durness is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Inverness and Inverness Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect Durness to towns and villages across the far north of Scotland while the centre of Durness is small enough to explore on foot.