I still remember the first time I unfolded an Ordnance Survey map on a wind-blasted beach in the far north and tried to make sense of the cluster of unfamiliar words around me. Gaelic place names felt like a secret code that locals read like weather charts — telling you where the cliffs were...
Dec 02, 2025
• by Élise Dupont
Latest News from Hillside Durness Co
Why a moonlit beach stay near Durness is worth planningThere’s something quietly magical about arriving at a remote Sutherland beach and pitching under a full moon. I’ve spent many nights listening to the surf, watching the light move across sand and rock, and waking to seabirds and distant croft smoke. Those moonlit hours feel like a secret the Highlands keep for those willing to walk a few...
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I time many of my visits to Durness and the surrounding north‑west Highlands around local gatherings. There’s nothing like a village gala, a crofter’s open day or a ceilidh to make the landscape feel lived in—sudden pockets of warmth and noise amid the wind‑scoured cliffs and empty beaches. If you’re planning a trip, thinking about the local calendar will change the kind of memories...
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I’ve walked the stretch between Sango Bay and Balnakeil more times than I can count, and every time I learn something new about how long it really takes when you factor in tides, photo stops, and the inevitable pause to watch seals. Below I share a practical, paced timing plan to complete the route in one day—whether you’re a brisk hill-walker or someone who wants a slower,...
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Peaty moorland and the jagged shorelines around Durness demand boots that can handle mud that clings like glue, wet tussocks that hide holes, and sharp, slippery rocks near the tide line. Over the years I've swapped through more pairs than I care to admit, and I've learned what matters most when you want to keep your feet dry, sure-footed and comfortable on long days outdoors. Below are the...
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I love the idea of stitching together a multi-day trek that threads coastal footpaths, lonely bothies and a warm cuppa in a local café. In Durness that kind of trip feels perfectly balanced—wild sea-swept cliffs and quiet beaches by day, the comfort of a bothy or village kitchen at night, and the small joy of supporting local businesses along the way. Below I share how I plan these low-impact...
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I love watching my toddler’s small boots leave prints in wet sand while the Atlantic wind teases their hood. If you’re visiting Durness with little ones, you don’t have to give up dramatic cliffs and hidden coves—just choose routes and rhythms that keep everyone safe and happy. Below I share the family-friendly beach walks I return to again and again: toddler-tested, picnic-approved and...
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Winter on the north coast is a different animal — the light is low, the sea is dark and the wind can arrive in minutes, turning a calm stroll into a survival lesson. Over years of walking Durness’s cliffs and beaches I’ve learned to treat wind as a planning factor, not an afterthought. Below I share how I prepare for winter coastal winds: clothing choices, a reliable layering system, and...
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I pick up fresh shellfish in and around Durness more often than I buy souvenirs. There’s something about the briny taste of scallops or the sweet meat of a fresh crab that makes a long walk along a salt-washed cliff feel complete. If you’re visiting the far north and want to know which croft shops sell fresh shellfish and how to ask locals for recommendations, here are the practical,...
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Scrambling the cliffs around Stoer is one of those salt-and-wind rewards: dramatic sea stacks, wind-carved ledges and light that changes in a heartbeat. For a beginner, it can also feel intimidating — loose rock, sudden weather, and the tide working its own timetable. Over the years I’ve learned what to carry so a scrambling day here stays exhilarating and not hazardous. Below is the pack...
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I get asked all the time how to reach the remote trails around Durness without a 4x4. I live here and have learned the hard way that you don’t need a rugged vehicle to enjoy the wild coast—but you do need planning, flexibility and some local know‑how. Below I share everything I use when I’m guiding friends or writing route notes for Hillside Durness Co...
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