Historical Things to Do in Wick: A Local Guide from Mackays Hotel

Wick is a town shaped by the sea, with history woven through its harbour, streets and coastline. For anyone planning a Wick weekend break, or looking for things to do in Wick on an NC500 journey, there is plenty to discover at an unhurried pace. From fishing heritage and local archives to clifftop ruins and sea views, this part of Caithness feels rich in character.

As a local hotel, we have picked out a few of the places we think offer the best feel for Wick’s history. If you are wondering where to begin, these are some of the sights we would start with.

Begin At The Harbour

Wick Harbour is one of the best ways to begin. It gives a real feel for the town’s long relationship with the sea, shaped over time by trade, fishing and harbour life. Much of Wick’s identity is tied to the herring industry, and the harbour remains one of the best ways to understand that history as you walk through the town.

From here, it is easy to trace the story of Pulteneytown, the planned area of Wick developed as the fishing trade expanded. Its streets and harbour setting still reflect that period of growth, and they help explain why Wick became such an important place in the far north.

A particularly memorable link to that past is the Isabella Fortuna, a traditional Fifie fishing boat that offers a tangible connection to the harbour’s working life. It is a reminder that Wick’s story is preserved not only in buildings and photographs, but in the vessels and traditions that shaped the town for generations.

Step Into Wick’s Past

For a closer look at the town’s history, the Wick Heritage Museum is well worth a visit. It helps bring the story of the harbour and the town together, offering a thoughtful introduction to local life, the fishing industry and the people who helped shape Wick over the years.

The Johnston Collection offers something different. This remarkable photographic archive captures scenes from across Caithness over more than a century, from street life and industry to the people and places that defined the town. It is a lovely way to see how Wick once looked and how closely its history is tied to the sea.

You can also spend time with Wick Voices, an oral history project preserving recordings from local people. Alongside museum displays and photography, these spoken memories offer a deeper understanding of the town and its people.

Follow The Coast

Once you have explored the town itself, the coastline offers one of the most memorable ways to continue the story. The Castle of Old Wick, set on a dramatic clifftop promontory, is one of Scotland’s oldest castles and still feels strikingly set against the wind and sea. The walk out is part of the experience, with wide coastal views and a sense of the Caithness landscape opening up around you. There is history here, of course, though it is just as much about the setting, the sea air and the quiet of the coast.

If you would like to explore a little further, Wick also makes a good base for nearby highlights such as Whaligoe Steps or Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, both of which add to the sense of history and landscape that defines this part of the north. For those looking to explore the Highlands from a quieter base, Wick offers a thoughtful mix of heritage, coastline and access to the wider Caithness scenery.

Stay At Mackays

After a day spent exploring Wick’s harbour, museums and coastline, it is always a pleasure to return somewhere comfortable at the heart of the town. Mackays has long been part of life in Wick, and that sense of connection still matters today. Whether you are stopping for one night on the NC500 or staying a little longer, it is a comfortable base for exploring Wick and the wider Caithness coast.

A Slower Way To Discover Wick

Wick’s story is not told in just one place. It runs through the harbour, the old streets, the photographs, the recorded voices and the coastline beyond the town. That is what makes it such a rewarding place to visit. You can discover its history in small moments as much as in well-known landmarks.

If you are planning a short break in Caithness, or looking for things to do in Wick that feel a little more rooted in place, a stay at Mackays Hotel offers an easy starting point. From here, the harbour, museums and coast are all within easy reach, ready to be explored at your own pace.