Helping you discover some of the excellent green spaces & health initiatives underway in Caithness.
While every effort is made to ensure that the content of this directory is up to date, from time to time, information may have expired. Please contact us if you experience any problems.
Many of the activities are free of charge but some services incur a charge.
Many services are available to everyone while some require a referral from a health professional. If you wish to participate in a service requiring a referral, please discuss this with your GP or other health practitioner.
Have a group or initiative and would like to be included?
Walking and running initiatives
Health Walks
A health walk is a short, regular, and guided walk that is designed to help people improve their health and wellbeing. Health walks are typically led by trained volunteers and are open to people of all abilities and last no more than 1 hour.
Befrienders Highland
Our walking and gardening groups no longer meet – we found it really hard to sustain the membership, so we now signpost folk who have those interests to existing groups that meet in their locality, and our volunteers will go along with their friend if necessary when they first start, just for some moral support until their confidence grows.
Thurso Park Run
Thurso parkrun is a free 5km run / walk, which takes place every Saturday at 9.30am from Thurso Boating Pond. All runners, joggers and walkers are welcome and we have a volunteer Tail Walker so no-one finishes last.
It also offers opportunities to volunteer, with no commitment to volunteer every week, just when you can.
Millbank Boating Pond Junior Parkrun
The junior Parkrun is on every Sunday at 9.30am and is a 2km event for 4-14 year olds. The event takes place at Millbank Boating Pond, Millbank Road, Thurso, KW14 8PS
It is free to register and attend.
North Highland Harriers
Running club which meets weekly in both Wick and Thurso for all abilities.
Cycling initiatives
Wick Wheelers
Cycling club which meets several times a week with sessions for beginners, time trials, coffee group and club rides
Caithness Cycling Club
The club is based in Thurso and has between 30-40 members
Cycling UK Highland (Caithness)
Specifically designed for Scotland’s rural and remote areas, Rural Connections supports people to cycle, walk and wheel – for everyday journeys, leisure and adventure. We can provide bike loans, tuition, confidence lesson, family friendly session and much, much more. Interested contact George on 07341 792 374
Cycling Without Age Wick
Cycling Without Age Wick is a grassroots organisation that wants to provide Connection, Opportunity and Freedom for Older People and People with Mobility Restrictions in Wick and the wider area. Our guiding principles are Generosity, Relationships, Slowness, Story Telling and Without Age. We want people to get the wind in their hair on our Trishaw and have a sense of belonging. For more information contact George on 07766516524
Outdoor learning and play
High Life Highland Countryside Rangers
Explore Green Health with High Life Highland’s Caithness Countryside Rangers!
Connect with nature with the help of Highlife Highland’s Countryside Ranger Service; we’ll introduce you to our amazing Caithness wildlife through our diverse range of walks, talks and family & volunteer events. You can enjoy a guided walk to the seabird colonies of the East Caithness Cliffs, bring the family for pond dipping at Newtonhill, or help with nest box building indoors at Dunnet. Discover the health benefits of time spent outdoors, either learning about our natural heritage or volunteering to give nature a helping hand.
Find out more:
- Visit our website: Countryside Rangers – High Life Highland Rangers
- Follow us on Facebook: Facebook
- Read our blog: Nature Unveiled | High Life Highland Ranger | Substack
- Find your local Ranger: Find a Countryside Ranger – High Life Highland Rangers
- Email us: outdoor.activities@highlifehighland.com
Join us and experience the beauty of Caithness while promoting your well-being!
Wick Youth Club
This group runs the Rosebank playing fields which offer outdoor sports and activities for all ages – crazy golf, putting, tennis, bowling and bouncy castle. Space for picnics.
Volunteering opportunities
The Woodland Trust
Management of woodlands for biodiveristy and people. Volunteering, events, tree planting, path work, interpretation on our owned sites.
Trees for Life
Volunteer involvement in restoring nature, particularly in Glen Affric and Glenmoriston. Nature connection is a key part of our approach.
Highland Third Sector Interface
Seek and view volunteering opportunities in your area!
Friends of Newton Hill Woodland
People of all ages encouraged to volunteer and carry out maintenance tasks at Croft, tree planting sessions, cottage on offer for individual group activities, visits by local groups, events run by Highland Highlife Rangers
Caithness Broch Project
Working towards building a broch in the area; archaeological history
Wick Paths Group
Upgrading and developing the path network in and around Wick.
RSPB Forsinard Practical conservation workparties
RSPB Forsinard is a nature reserve on the internationally important Flow Country Peatlands. On the volunteer work parties we undertake practical management tasks including removing regenerating conifer trees, blocking peatland drains and trail maintenance.
Sustrans volunteers
Sustrans volunteers look after the National Cycle Network. They help local people to walk and cycle. They improve our green spaces for wildlife. And they inspire young people in schools to get active.
Our volunteers are helping to create a better environment for us all. Even if you’ve got just an hour to give every so often. Or you can give us your time on a more regular basis. Whatever time you can spare, we’d really like to hear from you.
Creative Arts
Thurso Camera Club
Winter programme Sept – April in Thurso High School every 1st & 3rd Monday at 7.30pm. Summer outdoor photo shoot May – Aug, meet at Thurso harbour car park for 7pm. Membership is open to anyone of any photo ability.
Lyth Arts Centre
A programme of live performances presents the best work of small-scale touring companies – from Scotland, the UK and the world. This includes theatre, dance, family events, jazz, folk, classical and world music, and much more. Lyth Arts Centre also presents performances in village halls and community centres across Caithness and North Sutherland.
Arts in Nature
Arts in Nature supports people to engage with the outdoors and connect with nature in a creative way through the delivery of a variety of art and craft activities. All creative nature-based sessions have been designed to be relaxing, inspiring, flexible and fun! For more information please contact Charlotte, email: artsinnature@outlook.com
Other activities
Wick Coastal Rowing Group
Weather permitting there are weekly sessions around 7pm, plus weekend activities. Also “come and try sessions”.
Wick Triathlon Club
We are a small friendly club based in the far north of Scotland and have members throughout Caithness and further afield.
Caithness Young Farmers
Wide range of activities e.g. agriculture topics, baking, craft and sport for people aged 14-30. There are branches in Bower, Halkirk, Latheron and Forss.
Pentland Firth Yacht Club
Local sailing club that promotes sailing and development of sailors at all ages and ability.
Above and Beyond Health & Wellbeing Tours
Isobel and Angela are passionate about their home county of Caithness set in the North Highlands of Scotland. Above and Beyond Tours of Caithness are at a slower pace, using local knowledge of the area, taking you off the beaten track to explore hidden gems Caithness has to offer.
THE OUTDOORS
Breathe some fresh air into your life. The outdoors helps us cope with life’s ups and downs. Your local area can be the perfect place to enjoy tranquil spots, find peace and quiet and also have some fun, healthy, family time.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Less than half of adults in Scotland visit the outdoors on a regular, weekly basis, and 14% don’t at all. Access to green space can help to protect the physical and mental health of both adults and children in Scotland.