Whaligoe steps and bay

[pultneytooner]

I wonder how much a basket of herring used to weigh when the fishermens' wives used to carry the catch of the day up those steps in baskets on their backs. I bet you would have found it easier to carry if you had been able to get it across your shoulders. Still quite a climb though. Of course they built them tougher in those days. Or was it the diet of herring and tatties?

They not only carried them up the steps but also carried them into wick.
Definitely a hardier generation as most folk would find it hard to take themselves up those steps nevermind with a basket of herring on their backs.

[Saveman]

On a similiar subject has anyone been across the rope bridge in Berriedale? Great when the river is high...

[ice box]

On a similiar subject has anyone been across the rope bridge in Berriedale? Great when the river is high...

yes i have but not when the river was high though love the two cottage's there on the sea front

also great time of year to go there is about june july time you see the grilses going up through the river .

[Seabird]

Whaligoe must be one of the most undervalued treasures of Caithness.
People come from all over the world to visit the location and get a great reception from Dave Nicolson, who acts has an unpaid guide.
Whaligoe is also one of the best locations in Caithness for seeing Dolphin, Minkes, Porpoise and Killer Whales.
I recorded 9 minkes and 12 Orcas from the top of the steps during July and August last year.
Orcas were also seen by Dave on numerious other occasions.
My wife with a visiting friend on her first visit to Caithness also saw one very close to shore.
It makes me sick that a tourist attraction like whaligoe struggles to get funds when Manchester united are given £30,000 from the lottery fund to help their staff keep fit.
Manchester united being one of if not the most wealthy football clubs in the world.

[teuchter]

On a similiar subject has anyone been across the rope bridge in Berriedale? Great when the river is high...

Even better if there's a howling gale. Not for the faint hearted in poor weather. And dont walk in front of somebody thats twice your weight and has a sick sense of humour.

[_Ju_]

How do you get to them, though..............I had visitors who wanted to see them...........but despite a map, they couldn't work out how to get there!

They carried on and went to Dunnet Head instead, but they had seen the photos of the steps on the Org, and were disappointed not to see the real thing!

I said I'd try and find out before they came back. So

They are oposite the sign to "hill o many staines". Instead of turning landward, you turn seaward.... I think there is a phone box on the corner of where you have to turn?

[teuchter]

Ju your not helping lol. Its not the hill o many staines ,its opposite the sign for cairn o get.

[pultneytooner]

It's in ulbster on the left hand side of the row of white houses.

[Tugmistress]

oh fudge trying to decipher all these directions, who lives on the route from Thurso to there and wants to go tomorrow? i'll pick you up!
I have never been but heard a lot about them, and would like to take some pix

[Niall Fernie]

Google map

[squeezy]

It is tricky to find, but if you follow the map, and take pultneytooner's advice to watch out for the little row of white houses, you should be OK.

If coming from Wick, the houses are on your left and you turn off just before them. Then drive past the houses and there is a wee car park at the end of them.

Once you've parked your car, go down the hill and I think there is a house/building with a walled garden that you need to go around, but I might be making that up!

Don't expect to see a sign for it.

[Seabird]

Squeezy is about right.
It might help to Know that if you come from Wick once your past the Mill pond on the left -its the next left, it has a phone box on the corner of the road.
As for finding the steps if Dave is on the ball he'll be on you before your out of the car, and show you the way. ( he'll even show you his old pictures of the steps)

If you are going soon give him my regards and i'll see him when the sea is a little calmer.

Colin

[Oddquine]

Thanks, everybody.............I'm pretty sure I'm going to be able to direct them when they come back up.

I think part of their problem was that they did expect to see a sign.

[bagpuss]

Is the goat still there?

[Seabird]

I've been there dozens of time in the last three years.
I think this answers your question. What Goat?

[stekar]

Who was it that appeared on Billy Connolly's World Tour of Scotland video at the Whaligoe Steps?

[Alice in Blunderland]

Who was it that appeared on Billy Connolly's World Tour of Scotland video at the Whaligoe Steps?

I think it was Daves neighbour from a couple of doors down I can only remember his nickname which I better not say formally he is called James I think.