Cape Wrath – a guide for visiting the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain in 2023
Cape Wrath, located in the far northwestern corner of Scotland, is the most north-westerly point of mainland Britain. It's a rugged and sparse area, but people enjoy visiting Cape Wrath for the amazing sea views and the sense of tranquility.
We wanted to publish a guide for anyone planning to visit Cape Wrath in 2023, let's get into it:
Where is Cape Wrath?
Cape Wrath is located in the far northwestern tip of Scotland, in the county of Sutherland. The village of Durness is around 10 miles away, and Inverness is around 120 miles to the South.
How do you get to Cape Wrath?
To get to Cape Wrath, you need to catch the Cape Wrath Ferry across the Kyle of Durness from Durness which takes about 10 minutes. Once there, you need to catch a bus to take you up to Cape Wrath itself.
In theory, you could hike over moorland to reach Cape Wrath, but it's rugged and tough terrain which few people have the capacity to cross.
What is there to see and do during your time at Cape Wrath?
The area is small, but there are still some things to see at Cape Wrath (aside from the stunning sea views). Here are the highlights:
Cape Wrath Lighthouse
Foghorn
Lighthouse foghorns are no longer used, hence you won't hear the foghorn at Cape Wrath blaring during your visit. However, the foghorn is still quite special to see up close, especially the striking red colour. It's often said that the area right next to the foghorn is the best spot to watch the seabirds from, however you really need to be careful as this area can be a bit uneven.
Spot the wildlife
Because the area is so untouched, a range of wildlife can be spotted at Cape Wrath. Seabirds are obviously easy to spot, including gannets and puffins. But you can also spot rare species like golden eagles and red deer here, as well as bottle-nosed dolphins in the sea.
Follow the Cape Wrath Trail
If you've got time, you could follow The Cape Wrath Trail - it's 200 miles in length between Fort William and Cape Wrath, so you might not follow the entirety of the route, but certainly following part of it is manageable for most and very enjoyable.
Hopefully, we've inspired you to visit Cape Wrath. If you enjoyed this guide, check out our other guides about other Scottish towns and villages such as Inveraray, Crieff, Crail, St Andrews, and Stirling. We also have a guide about popular Scottish munros and a guide about the Borders Abbeys Way.
Finn H
Finn is the editor of You Well and has been writing about travel, health, and more for over 10 years.