Coastline

Aerial view of Dunnet Head lighthouse above steep cliffs, with waves breaking below and autumn moorland behind.

Dunnet Head: where Britain finally runs out of land

Britain does not end at the John O'Groats signpost. It continues north to a windswept cliff where the land suddenly stops and the Pentland Firth begins. Stand there, turn south, and almost the entire country is behind you.

View from inside Smoo Cave, with textured rock walls framing a stream, footbridge and daylight beyond.

Smoo Cave: the waterfall beneath the road

Visit at the right time and Smoo Cave feels ancient, atmospheric and almost otherworldly. Arrive with several coach parties and the great cavern can sound like a railway station. Here is how to experience one of the North Coast 500's busiest natural wonders at its best.

A black and white border collie sits on Red Point Beach, with the sea, rocky headland and distant hills behind.

'Red Point': two beaches at the end of the road

The Viking funeral in 'What We Did on Our Holiday' was filmed on one of Wester Ross’s most beautiful beaches. Finding it requires a long diversion, a walk through the dunes and, if you want both beaches, a willingness to get extremely muddy.