our trip today

[lynne duncan]

told the bairns this morning that we were going on a mystery tour, had enough being at home yesterday, so got pestered a lot and eventually told them that we were going to whaligoe.
whats there they asked - steps we said. they weren't enthusiastic
but picnic packed off we went
neither me nor hugh had been there before
what an absolutely amazing place very impressive
down we stepped gingerly got to the bottom explred and then attempted to jog back up!!!!!!!!
didn't last long but half way up and thoroughyl out of breath, we met a very interesting man who told us lots of facts about the place
ie built 1792, originally 365 steps, barking kettle which used to be filled with bark and cow urine to boil the nets and stop them rotting
got back to the car, kids said ty as they had enjoyed it

then went to the hill o many stanes, amazing place in the middle of a small hill again kids were amazed lovely notice board very informative and place was well kept, hats off to whoever put the path in

and finally went to the camster cairns, again wd to whoever put the wooded walk way in very well done and notice boards are brilliant

had picnic outside long cairn, with 3 bairns blethering happily

would recommend these places to everyone

emma has been doing a victorian timeline at school, when we pointed out that this trip had a timeline of
whaligoe 1792, hill o many stanes 4000 years ago and cairns 5000 years ago she was amazed

think we'll have a monthly visit to other places round the county - anyone have other places they like going to in the county

[sweetpea]

Aw I love goign to the steps but it can be a killer coming back up. Yesterday I went to Sannick beach, never been before, only found 2 Groatie buckies tho, all the locals must be collecting them but my what a gorgeous day, really hot in among the rocks in the sun. Another place I like is Ham Harbour, great for finding mussels. Dunbeath strath is a lovely walk too. :)

[Rie]

whaligoe steps are my fave place in caithness, i love going and sitting at the end of the rocks looking out to sea, and the views as you go down and come back up are breath taking (but so is walking back up the steps ha ha)
i think the every one who helps keep the steps safe do an amaizing job.

[trix]

i mind ma faither tellin me on one o' our trips til 'e steps that one day a girl an her boyfriend went doon 'e steps.

he telt her til run up 'e steps an he wid climb up 'e side an meet her at 'e top. she got til 'e top an waited an waited for him.

apparently his body wis niver found :(

we used til go off in 'e car ivry sunday. til 'e backies in golspie, 'e falls o' shin an a whole lot o' ither places.

brings back many happy memories.

[98elite]

Ours kids enjoy:

Castletown Flagstone Walk
Badbea
Dunbeath Strath up to the Broch
Dunbeath Harbour


A little further afield try:

The Big Burn walk at Golspie

[justine]

told the bairns this morning that we were going on a mystery tour, had enough being at home yesterday, so got pestered a lot and eventually told them that we were going to whaligoe.
whats there they asked - steps we said. they weren't enthusiastic
but picnic packed off we went
neither me nor hugh had been there before
what an absolutely amazing place very impressive
down we stepped gingerly got to the bottom explred and then attempted to jog back up!!!!!!!!
didn't last long but half way up and thoroughyl out of breath, we met a very interesting man who told us lots of facts about the place
ie built 1792, originally 365 steps, barking kettle which used to be filled with bark and cow urine to boil the nets and stop them rotting
got back to the car, kids said ty as they had enjoyed it

then went to the hill o many stanes, amazing place in the middle of a small hill again kids were amazed lovely notice board very informative and place was well kept, hats off to whoever put the path in

and finally went to the camster cairns, again wd to whoever put the wooded walk way in very well done and notice boards are brilliant

had picnic outside long cairn, with 3 bairns blethering happily

would recommend these places to everyone

emma has been doing a victorian timeline at school, when we pointed out that this trip had a timeline of
whaligoe 1792, hill o many stanes 4000 years ago and cairns 5000 years ago she was amazed

think we'll have a monthly visit to other places round the county - anyone have other places they like going to in the county


I hun.We found whaligoe steps when we first came up here.We met the same man who was watching us intently.He then approched us and gave us some info about the steps.Seemed strange what he was telling us about it, so my hubby decided to phone the Scottish tourist board and it turns out what he had told us(and his is the keeper of the steps) was a load og clack.The story he tells is nothing but an old wives tale and he really should not be filling tourists head with all the nonsence.I hope you had a good day.i know how hard the steps are to come back up as i was 7 months pregnant when my hubby took me there...
I would be honered if you could share with us the info that he gave you to see if it was anything different to what he told us.He mention it was called whaligoe because that was where the whales went and they hauled them up the cliff, knowing now that in fact only one whale was ever caught of that part..i know that the steps are genuine and he does a good job keeping them safe for us public but he does us no favour by lying about the history of the place.
If anyone can tell us the true history of the steps it would be very much appreciated....

[Julia]

As far as I know there were originally 365 steps, the fish were landed and carried up the steps by the women :eek:

There is a bit more info here

http://www.caithness.org/atoz/whaligoe/allthesteps/index.htm

[percy toboggan]

sounds like an interesting location - any photos....or shall I google it?
We went to Conwy Castle yesterday - a pic or two on the photography board.

[Julia]

There's a load of photos on the caithness.org link, it really is quite a spectacular view both up and down the steps

[Sapphire2803]

Didn't the women have to carry the men to the boats, so their feet didn't get wet?

[Tighsonas4]

WHALIGOE STEPS
dont know this mannie but there was a lady in the post office there now
deceased etta jule who spent all her time trying to keep the steps in repair
im sure theres plenty facts to be had that are authentic on those steps.
wonder if the wifies who carried everything up in a creel on there backs were
out of breath?? lol tony

[Margaret M.]

Didn't the women have to carry the men to the boats, so their feet didn't get wet?

Probably -- as usual the mannies had the easy job -- fishing trip with their buddies and the wifies had to do all the hauling and cleaning. :lol:

[dan67]

[img]<a href="http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/dan67/?action=view&current=P1010191.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/dan67/P1010191.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[img]

[trix]

[img]<a href="http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/dan67/?action=view&current=P1010191.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/dan67/P1010191.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[img]

its really bonny....[lol]:Razz

[dan67]

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/dan67/P1010191.jpg

[trix]

seriously dan, 'ats a really amazin picture, cheers for sharin x x

[miranda]

wow!! that is a brill picture!!

[balto]

what an amazing picture i will try and take the kids there one day as it looks lovely:lol::lol: