Ben Bhraggie Walk

Ben Bhraggie is a steep climb to 397m (1,302ft) above sea level, but is well worth the effort as, from the top on a clear day, it is possible to take in panoramic views from the East Caithness coast, south to the Moray coast with the Cairngorms in the far distance, round to the Kyle of Sutherland and up over the interior of the county to the west.

Park at the Wildcat Mountain Bike Trails car park to the north of Fountain Road and follow the track up the forest to start the climb.

You have the choice to go straight up the front on the steep, stepped path and come back down the same way, or wind around the back of the hill on the wider forest trail which, whilst less of a hard climb will take longer.

At the summit is the imposing 100-foot-tall (30-metre) statue of George Leveson-Gower, Marquess of Stafford and first Duke of Sutherland who became notorious through the part he played in the Highland Clearances. Completed in 1837 following the Duke’s death, legend has it that he wished his likeness to face west, so it could survey his lands across Sutherland. He would be unimpressed to therefore find that he faces east, out of the waters of the North Sea!