Local area information
The region is well connected by road, bus, train and air links.
Our campuses are all on the North Coast 500 route, showing the best the Highlands has to offer. There are trains from Inverness city centre to Thurso and Wick and regular bus services to the different campuses.
A guide to the Scottish CityLink bus timetable can be found here www.stagecoachbus.com or contact the Highland Council for further information on local transport.
Caithness.org will keep you up to date with the latest news and events from around Caithness.
We are surrounded by stunning scenery everywhere we go. Take the most beautiful photos and selfies with the highlands behind you. Or discover historic castles and preserved buildings which form an important part of our heritage and here in the highlands we have them by the plenty!
You’ll have a natural larder right on your doorstep – world renowned seafood, finest scotch lamb, beef and how can we forget famous malts, gins and vodkas from local distilleries.
From coast to countryside, you will encounter an array of wonderful wildlife throughout the Highlands. Keep an eye out for deer and Scottish wildcats, mountain hares, red squirrels and golden eagles to name but a few.
Thurso
The most northerly town in mainland Scotland.
There is plenty to see and do in and around the town with a choice of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Other attractions include the Swanson Gallery, Caithness Horizons and Merlin Cinema.
Thurso is a major surfing area and premier heavy cold surf destination, Thurso beach hosts surfing championships, including two World Championships for Kayak surfing.
Thurso benefits from a newly refurbished Leisure Centre with swimming pool, fitness suite, sauna and steam room. Take your binoculars to John O’Groats and Duncansby Head where pods of orcas, humpbacks and killer whales can be seen as well as dolphins, porpoises and puffins.
Dornoch
Golfers’ paradise blessed with sunny, sandy beaches!
Tee-off on the Royal Dornoch championship course, ranked 5th in the world and enjoy the stunning scenery and tranquil location in the small historic town of Dornoch.
If golf isn't to your liking there are lots of walking and cycling routes around the area, plus tennis and squash courts.
Dornoch is famed for its impressive cathedral, founded in 1224.
Dornoch has bars, restaurants, cafes and shops all within walking distance of Burghfield House.
Alness
Supporting budding musicians!
Just 20 miles north of Inverness, Alness is a hive of activity with a good range of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops.
There are swimming pools and leisure centres in Alness and Invergordon.
Golf, fishing and hillwalking are also popular sports with a climb to Fyrish Monument providing spectacular views across the Cromarty Firth.
