Visit us

However you travel around the area of Caithness and Sutherland, there are stunning views and places to watch and wonder at the vast peatland landscapes and the animals and plants that live there.

You can explore the peat bogs’ unique wildlife at RSPB Forsinard Flows Visitor Centre, and walk the Dubh-lochain trail to the Flows Lookout Tower, or the longer Forsinain trail.  

Find out more about people's relationship with the peatlands at local museums and historic sites. And perhaps most importantly, you can find your own favourite places in these wonderful wild landscapes.

Use our map of Caithness and Sutherland to plan your visit. Below you’ll find a collection of useful guides and links that will help you get the most out of your time here.

A leaflet is available at many visitor attractions which gives an overview of The Flow Country and what there is to see and do. Download it here. 

 

Map Caithness and Sutherland The Flow Country2

The Flows by train

One of Britain’s most impressive railway journeys crosses the heart of the Flow Country. The Far North Line runs from Inverness to Wick and Thurso, passing dramatic coastline, peat-brown rivers, and some tiny stations that serve just a couple of houses. The journey offers unique views of the peatlands, and you can download a series of audio guides from Scottish Natural Heritage that reveal the hidden secrets of the landscape passing by the window.

The RSPB Forsinard Flows Visitor Centre is easily accessible by train. Get off at Forsinard, and the Centre is right on the platform! The Visitor Centre is open 9:00-17:00 from April to October and has tea, coffee and children's activities available.

Be part of it

If you really get a taste for the place, you might find yourself wanting to get to know it in more depth. Then become a volunteer with the Flows to the Future project or at RSPB Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve! Residential volunteers get to live in the heart of the Flows, watching the land change from day to day and helping with the vital work of conserving the peat bogs and their wildlife. You can stay for a few weeks or a few months – some folk end up staying for years! If you live locally you can also help out for a few hours per week.

More Information

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