The far north of Scotland is a landscape shaped by wind, water, and time — a place where the horizon feels wider, the air cleaner, and the pace of life much slower. Staying at Beyond North places you right in the middle of it all: two cabins, Haar and Drift, set on the coastline between Dunnet and John O’ Groats, surrounded by quiet beaches, raw geology, and centuries of history.

Whether you arrive seeking wild adventure or gentle exploration, the north coast offers both — often in the same day.

Below is a guide to the real, walkable, driveable adventures waiting on your doorstep.

1. Walk the Clifftops at Dunnet Head — the Northernmost Point of Mainland Britain

A short drive from Beyond North takes you to Dunnet Head, a dramatic peninsula crowned by a lighthouse and surrounded by steep seabird cliffs.

Paths weave across the headland, offering views towards Orkney, the Pentland Firth, and, on clear days, the distant outline of Hoy’s sea stacks. It’s one of the best spots for:

• Watching soaring fulmars and puffins in summer
• Taking in uninterrupted Atlantic views
• Photographing the wild, wind-carved landscape

At sunset, the cliffs glow gold. At night, they’re one of the top dark-sky points on the entire NC500.

2. Wander the Long Curve of Dunnet Bay Beach

Two miles of pale sand and shifting waves stretch along Dunnet Bay — one of the most beautiful beaches in the north. On calm days it feels almost meditative. On storm days, the Atlantic rolls in with power and rhythm.

From the cabins, it’s an easy drive or a gentle cycle. Ideal for:

• Cold-water dips
• Beach walks at low tide
• Watching surfers carve through clean winter swells
• Sunrise photography

Stop at Café Groats or Dunnet Bay Distillers on your way back for something warm.

3. Hike the Duncansby Stacks — Scotland’s Giant Stone Guardians

East of John O’ Groats lies one of the most astonishing coastal walks in the Highlands: the trail to the Duncansby Stacks.

These ancient sea pillars rise straight out of the water, carved from thousands of years of waves and wind. The walk begins at the lighthouse and meanders along grassy cliffs where:

• Seals bob in the bays below
• Seabird colonies gather on ledges
• The stacks shift shape with every step

It’s accessible, unforgettable, and one of the must-see moments of any trip north.

4. Explore the Quiet Trails Around Castletown & Dunnet Forest

If the coast is wild and open, Dunnet Forest is its calm counterpoint. A network of soft, shaded trails runs through Scotland’s northernmost community woodland — perfect for:

• Gentle morning walks
• Shelter from coastal winds
• Wildlife spotting
• Family-friendly exploration

Further west, the Castletown Heritage Trail offers a slower, more historical wander through old Caithness stoneworkings and village stories.

5. Step Into History at The Castle of Mey

Just a short drive from Beyond North sits The Castle of Mey, once the beloved summer home of the late Queen Mother.
Set against a backdrop of rolling fields and open sea, the castle is open seasonally for guided tours. The gardens alone are worth the visit: wind-sculpted, colourful, and unexpectedly peaceful.

6. Chase Light, Mist, and Weather on the Open Road

The north coast rewards those who move slowly. From the cabins, you can reach:

• The quiet harbours of Stroma and Gills Bay
• Forss Waterfall, hidden inland behind a short woodland path
• Thurso East, iconic surf break and watching point
• Strathy Point, a windswept lighthouse walk with sweeping Atlantic views
• Reiss Beach, another long, white-sand shoreline perfect for solitude

Every direction offers a new mood: bright, bleak, dramatic, or wrapped in haar.

7. Watch the Northern Lights Without Leaving the Cabin

The north coast of Scotland lies directly under one of the best aurora zones in Europe.
Between October and March — and sometimes later — the sky above Beyond North can erupt in subtle ribbons of green or full arcs of shifting colour.

On clear, crisp nights:

• Turn off the cabin lights
• Step onto the deck
• Let your eyes adjust

If the KP index is on your side, you may witness something unforgettable.

8. Embrace the Simplicity of Staying Still

Adventure doesn’t always mean movement.
Some of the best moments at Beyond North happen inside:

• Watching weather move across the horizon
• Listening to the wind fold around the cabin
• Reading by the fire
• Cooking slow meals
• Sitting in silence

In a landscape this raw, slowing down is its own form of exploration.

A Base for Explorers, a Home for the Quiet

Beyond North was built for people who appreciate both the outer journey and the inner one.
Whether you spend your days hiking cliffs, chasing waves, following the NC500, or simply resting in the calm of Haar or Drift, the north coast has a way of grounding you.

A place where the world feels bigger.
Where time stretches.
Where adventure lies in every horizon.