Exploring Wick’s Rich Heritage from Mackays Hotel
Begin Your Journey Through Time
Set in the heart of Caithness, Wick offers an immersive blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Mackays Hotel is perfectly placed as your base of exploration for Scotland’s north-east coast. From the moment you step outside, you are walking in the footsteps of Picts, Norse settlers, and Victorian seafarers. From the hotel’s doorstep, centuries of history can be found at just a short walking distance away.
Echoes of Norse and Pictish Roots
Wick’s earliest roots can be traced to its days as a Norse settlement. The town’s name itself is derived from the Old Norse word ‘vík’, meaning bay. Remnants of these early civilisations can be found in local museums and in the surrounding landscapes, where ancient brochs and burial cairns speak volumes of Wick’s prehistoric and Viking-era importance. Sites such as The Grey Cairns of Camster and Nybster Broch are regarded as some of the best preserved examples of neolithic and iron age structures in all of Great Britain, both of which are just a short journey from Mackays Hotel.
From Castles to Coastal Forts
Just a short drive from Mackays Hotel lies a wealth of architectural heritage. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, dramatically perched on a sea cliff, offers a beautiful insight into fierce clan feuds and medieval politics. The ruins are a photographer’s dream and a historian’s treasure. Meanwhile, the nearby Old Pulteney Distillery adds a ‘spirited’ touch to the journey, offering tours steeped in maritime history.
The Caithness at War Trail
The Caithness at War Trail explores the region’s rich wartime heritage through two complementary routes, both compromising fully walkable trails in Wick and Sinclair’s Bay. Starting just five minutes on foot from Mackays Hotel, the Wick trail features informational panels at 30 sites, highlighting RAF operations, bombings, and defence structures. A short 10-minute drive north leads to Sinclair’s Bay, where 16 sites reveal beach fortifications, pillboxes, and anti-invasion measures. Developed by local trusts, the trail offers an accessible and immersive way to experience Caithness’s pivotal role during the Second World War.
Discover Wick’s Victorian Past
The 19th century saw Wick rise as a major player in the herring industry. The town’s harbour was once the busiest in Europe, and the legacy of that era lives on in the Wick Heritage Museum. This volunteer-run gem provides an intimate look at local life through these period, with vintage photographs, preserved shops, and hands-on exhibits. Here the transformation timeline of Wick can be viewed, casting light onto both the simplicity and complications of what life was like in these periods.
From Hotel to History in Minutes
Mackays Hotel acts not only as accommodation but as a base, allowing guests the opportunity to stay and gain knowledge of Wick’s layered past. With tailored local guidance, walking tour maps, and even historical insights woven into the hotel’s décor, guests are fully equipped to discover the stories that have shaped this proud Highland town. Whether you are seeking ancient ruins, sweeping coastal views, or tales of industry and resilience, it all begins at Mackays Hotel.
