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ENVIRONMENT
Dunnet Head is a great place to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest running round the perimeter of the Head which is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The RSPB have recently taken over management of Easter Head, which is part of Dunnet Head, and there are many WWII buildings to be explored.
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The soil is rich and peaty - from the air the distinction is clear as the ground changes from arable to peat bog. Peat is formed by an accumulation of partly destroyed organic matter also called mires soil which are dependent largely on precipitation for their water supply and nutrients and dominated by Sphagnum moss. Due to the cool climate, the decaying remains of plants and other organic matter do not rot entirely, forming layer upon layer of peat, some of it 5m thick. Peat cutting on Dunnet Head still continues today.
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There are thirty four sites of archaeological interest on Dunnet Head, as per the Canmore database which is compiled by the Royal Commision on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. these range from the Nordic remains of mounds and cairns to more recent WWII defences. Some are inaccessible, but you can find further information from our booklet available on line at http://www.iberacal.com.
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There are the remains of a number of WWII buildings on the Head for which the plans are available and included in the sale together with old photos of the site during the War. The Dunnet Head Educational Trust, a Scottish registered charity launched in 2003 to raise the profile of the Head, will take over the artefacts belonging to the Trust.
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Dunnet Head was fashioned from anicient sedimentary rocks and is a striking promontory made up of red and yellow sandstones. these yield fragments of fossil fish. The cliffs have been eroded into dramatic scenery as weaknesses and fissures in the rocks are worn away and broken up into geos.
The horizontal ledges make excellent homes for both plants and birds.
Glaciers have gouged out the basins that the shallow lochs such as the Long Loch lie in.
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Sea Bird colonies including puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes.
Moorland Birds including Great Skuas, Arctic Skuas and Red-throated Divers, which frequent a number of the smaller lochs. Ravens and Peregrine Falcons are also on the to see list.
Arctic / Alpine Plants which grow almost at sea level in the Far North including the jewel of the crown the Scottish Primrose.
Marine Mammals including both Grey & Common Seals and if we are lucky Otters and even Dolphins.
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The weather at the Head is not as cold as one would think - the weather in the central belt of Scotland and England is often worse than at Dunnet Head. It can be windy, but we do not get the snow or frost. However, the northern lights (auroras) are something else to behold.
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Fishing - Dunnet Head Fishing Association looks after the lochs on the Head on behalf of the owner. The lochs are re-stocked with brown trout just before every season (May to October). There is also fishing in nearby St. Johns Loch.
Walking - there are many walking trails, but they are not marked. We have documented trails which can be downloaded from http://www.walkingworld.com or for more general walks at http://www.iberacal.com, along with our guide to the area.
Cycling - there are many cycling routes although the ground can tend to be boggy during the winter. Again they are not marked.
Kayaking - is possible in Brough Bay and on the Dunnet Head lochs in agreement with the Dunnet Head Fishing Association.
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