Along the coast are a number of heritage centres which tell the story of these northlands, of the local clans and of the Viking influence. Dunbeath Heritage Centre portrays early settlers, crofting, fishing and the life of writer Neil Gunn. Laidhay Croft Museum brings the farming past to life, while, further north, clan history is portrayed in the Clan Gunn Museum by Latheron. A variety of early archaeological sites particularly between Latheron and Wick include excellent examples such as the Grey Cairns of Camster, while north of Wick, the Northlands Viking Centre reveals the Scandinavian influences.

Wick and Thurso are the two main centres of the area, both with a good selection of High Street shops. There's also Wick Heritage Museum, telling the story of this 19th-century herring "boom town". (You can find out about this coast's former involvement in fishing also at the Waterlines Visitor Centre in Lybster, which also looks at the local seabird colonies.)

For examples of two contrasting lifestyles, you can also visit the Castle of Mey, Caithness home of the late Queen Mother, or, alternatively, Mary-Ann's Cottage, showing how successive generations of a crofting family lived and worked.

The coast between Wick and Thurso is spectacular and includes, near John o Groats, the Duncansby Stacks, as well as Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the British mainland. (There are good views of Orkney all along the north coast here.) There are more excellent stretches of coastline in the west of the area, notably around Strathy Point.

Inland the dominating feature is the Flow Country, with its miles of interlaced pools and lochs, home to a unique community of plants and animals. Experience it at the RSPB Forsinard Peatland Reserve (visitor centre, close-circuit television, nature trail). Another theme to explore is the Highland Clearances, with Strathnaver Museum at Bettyhill a good starting point, also the clearance village sites at Rossal and Achanlochy in Strathnaver itself.

You can golf on Britain's most northerly mainland course, at Reay near Thurso, while sea angling, boat charter for wildlife cruises, are some of the other activities on offer here. This is spectacular country with a special atmosphere of its own.