Holburn Head Lighthouse

Holburn Head is a rocky headland on the north-facing Atlantic coast of Caithness in the Scottish Highlands. It marks the western end of Thurso Bay and its name comes from the Old Norse Hóllborg, meaning ‘hill fort’. At the tip of the headland lie the remains of a promontory fort built in the Bronze or Iron Age. About a kilometre to the south stands Holburn Head Lighthouse, designed by David and Thomas Stevenson. The lighthouse was finished in 1862 and stayed in use until 2003. The headland is worth reaching for the views it offers. Walkers can follow a circular path that starts at the lighthouse and takes them around the headland. From the route they can look out over Dunnet Head and across the water to the Orkney Islands. The lighthouse itself is a notable example of Stevenson family engineering. Bronze Age traces add layers of history to the landscape. Visitors find a clear footpath that loops around the headland. The route begins at the lighthouse and winds past the old fort remains. From higher points on the path there are wide views of the Atlantic and the distant Orkney Islands. The lighthouse stands as a quiet reminder of coastal navigation. The whole area blends natural rock formations with human history.