Sinclair's Bay

Sinclair’s Bay lies on the eastern coast of Caithness in the Highlands. The long, sweeping curve of the bay begins at Noss Head in the north and ends at Noss Head Lighthouse in the east. Castle Sinclair stands on the southern shore, overlooking the water. Skirza Head forms the northern boundary, while Freswick Bay marks the start of the curve. The bay’s shape is an elongated ellipse that turns eastward near the castle ruins. The geology of the bay shows two distinct features. North of Keiss village the shore is lined with stony beaches and steep cliffs that grow sheer toward Noss Head. South of Keiss a wide white-sand beach stretches toward Reiss, backed by large dunes. Near Ackergill Tower the sand gives way to stones and then to cliffs and crags as the coast turns eastward. Visitors find open beaches, high cliffs and the remains of Castle Sinclair. The dunes at Reiss Beach rise behind the sand, while stony foreshores appear at both ends of the bay. Noss Head Lighthouse stands on the eastern point, and Skirza Head overlooks the northern curve. The contrast between sand, stone and sheer rock makes the shoreline varied and striking.