Bettyhill
Another North coast village, named after the Countess of Sutherland that was decimated by the clearances. A local museum tells the tale...
The A836 runs south from Tongue, through Altnaharra, to Lairg. It also continues east to the crofting community of Bettyhill, named after the Countess of Sutherland who ruthlessly evicted her tenants from their homes in Strathnaver to make way for more profitable sheep. The whole sorry saga is told in the interesting Strathnaver Museum, housed in an old church in the village. There are also Pictish stones in the churchyard behind the museum. Info - Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1300 and 1400-1700. Tel. 521418.
The museum sells a leaflet detailing the many prehistoric sites in the Strathnaver valley which runs due south from Bettyhill. The B871 then branches southeast to meet the A897 to Helmsdale. There are a couple of great beaches around Bettyhill, at Farr Bay and at Torrisdale Bay, which is the more impressive of the two and forms part of the Invernaver Nature Reserve.
There's a small Tourist Information Centre in Bettyhill, Tel. 521342, open Easter-September Monday-Saturday.
Travel Directions to Bettyhill
Castles Nearby
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Borve Castle, Sutherland
Ruined Mackay castle on superb position overlooking the sea near Farr on Sutherland North coast. Now ruined. Walk from Farr
Nearby Ancient Monuments
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Rosal Township
Once substantial township entirely cleared in the Highland Clearances. Eery and tragic evidence of how this event transformed this land and landscape.
Local Visitor Attractions
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Farr Beach, Bettyhill
Magnificent beach to West of Bettyhill with long sandy stretch. Super clean. Not so easy to access unless you know how!
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Strathnaver Museum
Interesting little museum in Bettyhill that chronicles the histories of the very far north of Scotland from the Norse through the clearances to the present day. Espeical focus on Clan Mackay and local Gaelic customs.
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Bettyhill Swimming Pool
Community run leisure centre with swimming pool in centre of Bettyhill on the North Coast.
Walks
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Strathnaver Trail
Walk from Bettyhill to Altnaharra across Sutherland that encounters 29 archeological sites. Moderate difficulty and very interesting!
Cafes & Teahouses
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The Cafe at Bettyhill
Excellent fish and chips at this little cafe beside the Tourist office in Bettyhill
Local Pubs
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Farr Bay Inn
Once a Minister's house and now a popular bar and restaurant with rooms overlooking the Farr Bay Beach. Well stocked bar and lots of local support.
Bettyhill Hotels & Accommodation
The Farr Bay Inn, Tel. 521230, www.bettyhill.com, does decent bar food. A good value B&B is Bruachmor, Tel. 521265, open Apr-Oct.
Comfortable bedrooms in a traditional fashion (some ensuite and some with superb sea views)
Hotels near Bettyhill
Featured
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Novar Cottage Tongue Sleeps 6
Bungalow style cottage on the north coast of Scotland that sleeps 6 (max) with wonderful views west towards the Kyle of Tongue. Set in own grounds with decking for the sunsets.
- Sleeps: 6
Bettyhill Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Old Grumbeg Cottage near Altnahara on Loch Naver - Sleeps 4
This charming, whitewashed cottage is near the village of Bettyhill in the Scottish Highlands and can sleep four people in two bedrooms. Six with sofa bed. No Pets.
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Rhianchaitel Croft House near Bettyhill - sleeps 6
Croft house situated in Bettyhill can sleep six people in three bedrooms. -
Talmine cottage, nr Tongue, Sutherland - Sleeps 5
Talmine is a small hamlet, one of several in this peaceful fishing and crofting community which look north east across the picturesque Tongue Bay. This traditional stone croft house is in a ....
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Crossroads, Strathy, Sutherland - Sleeps 6
In a beautiful location on the spectacular North coast, this lovely detached traditional croft house provides the perfect opportunity to explore the area. Approximately 10 minutes walk from the .... -
John Naver's, nr Thurso - Sleeps 4-5
This spacious former croft has been modernised and refurbished to a good standard and offers you a wonderful holiday home set in a small crofting area of Bettyhill, on the Invernaver Nature Reserve. This charmin... -
Naver Cottage, nr Bettyhill - Sleeps 4
Within easy walking distance of the beautiful River Naver and woodlands, this croft house which has been renovated to the highest standards offers very comfortable accommodation in a secluded setting. Visi...