Guide Sheet

The first guide sheet to Dunnet Head was published in about 1985 by Dunnet Head Tearoom. The sheet was popular and often requested on behalf of members by the tourist office, this edition of the Dunnet head News  is dedicated to that sheet and updates  it.

Dunnet Head  is Scotlands  most Northern Point. The very end is correctly called Easter Head, whilst the whole of the body that juts out into the Pentland Firth and Atlantic is Dunnet Head. It is situated half way between Thurso and John O Groats, 15 minutes to either on the A836 north coast road. Follow any Dunnet Head sign which will take you to the B855 which goes to the end.  Passing through Brough village you will see a red telephone box, the only one on Dunnet head, it is outside the Tearoom/Food-Inn.

Northern Eats

The Restaurant Tearoom is mentioned in a number of national  guide books and also overseas  travel guides." The Good Weekend Guide"  "Scotland the Best"  plus  Student guides in Europe also recommend the Food Stop.. National newspapers  list it as "A Unique Multi Type Food Stop".  The International Vegetarian Guide has  listed this most northern eats stop for more than 10 years.

The Restaurant now opens at 3pm (1500hrs) 7 days a week. An extensive menu is available, Vegan Vegetarian, Local Fish, Local Steak, Chicken, Burgers, Tikka & Cajun spiced eats, simple but good quality burgers or Birds Eye Cod fish fingers or sausage egg & chips even, customers are encouraged to bring

their own wine. Last but not least a Childrens  menu is available, a  Ghost features on this menu and says that children are expected to have good manners and not to be noisy at risk of the owner appearing in the form of a ghost and administering punishment on the spot. The meals are inexpensive.

Rock Stacks & Seals.

Just at the rear of the tearoom and to the north of it are two Rock Stacks, these are best photographed in the afternoon, when the sun is on the south western side. A Natural Arch can be found on the shore by the rock stacks and another third rock stack can be photographed through this archway. This  immediate area has been shown on TV more than once.  Passing by the Natural Arch into the next bay a long cave can be seen. Seals use the area of the rocks between the stacks  and shore to lay about in the sun having a lazy time. Posing for visitors is a main part of their duties, Italians love them.

Otters frequent this same area at quiet hours. Deer roam on the head and can arrive at the rear of the Tearoom in the early hours.

Single Track Road.

Following the single track road up the head from Brough a wonderful view is seen to the east with the sun on the cliffs and white sea spray and a couple of stops are in order for photographs. The "Old Man of Hoy" can be seen from Brough and better from the end of the head.

Lighthouse.

The lighthouse at the end can still be seen but not visited as the grounds are now private and the light is automatic, it can be photographed easily from the outside and looks impressive with the old man of Hoy in the back ground and the sun setting.

Aurora

The aurora borealis can be seen in autumn and winter nights, summer is near impossible. The very best display for colour is best described as a "Wigwam" which you are inside, looking up at a white oval plasma apex with shimmering coloured walls around, a breath taking  sight to see.

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