Stage 10: Dunbeath to Lybster


Old Bridge at Latheronwheel

Distance | 7.9 miles | 12.6 km     Status |  Amber 

The tenth stage of the JOGT is a bit rough in places and still involves crossing 1 or 2 fences. It may require walking in tall summer grass along some of its length. The stage is marked. The 2/3 mile from the whale-watching viewpoint down to Lybster harbour is a good developed trail and then the walk into Lybster is along a quiet tarmac road.

The route rises immediately to clifftops and continues outside the fences most of the way. There are wonderful views and several interesting landscape features along the way. The route visits the beautiful harbours of Latheronwheel and Lybster, the abandoned fishing station at Achastle-shore, and the sweeping panorama of Forse Bay with its castle at one end and waterfall at the other.

Challenges
Burn crossing may be on slippery rocks with risk of falling. Risk of injury on barbed wire. Risk of injury when crossing dry stone dykes due to falling stones. Beware cows in fields in a couple places. Please also note that like much of rural Scotland, ticks may be an issue in areas of long vegetation.

Stage End Information
Along the walk, there is a friendly butcher shop in Latheronwheel that sells some ready-made food and drink. Lybster is accessible by car via the A99 and by busses that connect to Wick, John O’Groats, Thurso, and Inverness. Lybster is a small town with a couple of each of hotels, pubs, and shops. The long wide Main Street runs from the A99 south to the cliff tops.

More information
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/dunbeath-lybster.shtml

Accommodation

North Star Glamping
Luxury Glamping Pods on the edge of the village of Lybster. Pick Up/Drop Off from your Start/Finish points with prior notice.
Approx. 1 mile from end of stage.
Tel: 07747588253
Email: northstarglamping@gmail.com
The Windy Roost
Occumster, Lybster
Caithness, KW36AX
Contact: Mandy and Peter Jenkins
Tel: 07958 123668 or Mob.: 07961483270
Email: info@thewindyroost.co.uk
Website
The Antlers B&B
1 mile north of Lybster, 5 minutes walk from trail.
www.theantlers.biz
Castle Shieling
450 yards from the trail
Email: castleshieling@gmail.com
Tel: 07746716115
Also on Airbnb and Booking.com
Contact: Lyndsay Mackay
Main Route