Dunnet Head facts for kids
Dunnet Head is a piece of land that sticks out into the sea, called a peninsula. It's located in Caithness, on the northern coast of Scotland. This special place is known for being the most northerly point of both mainland Scotland and the entire island of Great Britain.
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Geography
The very tip of Dunnet Head is also known as Easter Head. It's about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west-northwest of John o' Groats. You can also see it as the western edge of the Pentland Firth, which is a narrow stretch of sea.
Even though Easter Head is the most northerly point on the Scottish mainland, the true northernmost point of Scotland is much further north. That point is in the Shetland islands, about 270 kilometers (170 miles) away.
The border of this peninsula with the rest of Scotland runs from a place called Little Clett to the mouth of Dunnet Burn. This line is mostly followed by a single-lane road, the B855. This road connects the village of Brough with Dunnet, making it the most northerly road on mainland Britain.
From this line, Dunnet Head stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean and the Pentland Firth. It also helps protect the calmer waters of Dunnet Bay to its south. On a clear day, you can see the islands of Stroma to the east. You can also spot Hoy and the Orkney Mainland islands, which are about 15 kilometers (9 miles) to the north across the Pentland Firth.
Military Use
Near the Dunnet Head lighthouse, you can find some old forts. These were built during World War II to protect a naval base at Scapa Flow. There was also a radar station here. During the Cold War, a bunker was used by the Royal Observer Corps.
Dunnet Head was also important for radio navigation during World War II. A special station called GEE was located on Burifa Hill. There was even an artillery range on Dunnet Head during the war.
Angling
The small lakes, or lochs, at Dunnet Head are refilled with young brown trout every two years. If you want to fish here, you need a permit. Fishing is allowed between April 1st and early October.
Bird Watching
Dunnet Head has a special viewing platform for visitors. From here, you can watch many different birds on the nearby cliffs. Depending on the time of year, you might see birds like fulmars, guillemots, kittiwakes, and puffins. You might also spot great skuas, arctic skuas, and razorbills. Out at sea, you could see gannets and herring gulls.
See also
In Spanish: Dunnet Head para niños
