A Rainy Day In Wick

You can’t always guarantee a sunny day on your holidays in the North of Scotland! But you can guarantee a fun-packed day out whatever the weather! There are so many things to in Wick and Caithness, come rain or shine, that it will take more than just a day to experience it. So, we’ve picked the perfect itinerary for you to follow when the weather’s a bit grey and rainy… All you need to do is remember to pack your mac!

Things to do in Wick, in the rain

For our hardcore explorers, don’t let the rain put you off getting into the great outdoors. Wrap up warm and take a blustery walk along one of our many beaches. Or why not head inland to Dunnet Forrest for a little more shelter and some wildlife? But if outdoors in the rain really isn’t for you, don’t let this dampen your fun! There is so much to see and do, indoors and out, but why not start with our rainy day Wick day trip below…

10 am – Museum Morning

The Highlands is full of rich history and traditional culture. And we want to share that with everyone who visits Mackays Hotel! For Wick, a lot of the history is interwoven with the large amount of fishing that used to define the area. Our top Highland hotel sits by the harbour of Wick, overlooking the entrance to the town and sea. So, start your day close by at the Wick Heritage Centre. This is the perfect place to find out more about our fishing heritage and the history of our ancient Highland region.

12 pm – Retail Therapy

Wick High Street has everything you need (and anything you might have forgotten to pack in your suitcase!). As well as the big brands, we’re also lucky to have lots of independent shops. So, you can experience a bit of Scotland and shop local. Take a gander around Wick’s shopping district and take home a little bit of Caithness!

1:30 pm – Leisurely Lunch

And now it’s time to lighten the load and drop off all your buys and wears back at Mackays Hotel. Then why not pop into our No 1 Bistro for a relaxed lunch. You can look out onto the rainy town from the shortest street in the world, it’s called Ebenezer Place! And, whether you’re in the mood for sandwiches or a hot bowl of comforting soup, there’s something for everyone on the menu for you at No 1 Bistro. Plus we offer family-friendly and dog-friendly dining in our restaurant. 

3 pm – Arty Afternoon

Once your stomach is full, it’s time to feast your eyes on some super art! Wick Town Hall is home to a collection of beautiful artwork, reflecting Wick’s strong relationship with the sea. Paintings of Scottish harbour views and portraits of important figures from Wick’s past can be seen here. And all this is set in our beautiful town hall building, so you can enjoy a bit of architecture at the same time.

St Fergus Gallery is also a great place to see some art in Wick. Right now, there’s a selection of work from the Highland Collection!

5 pm – Evening Tipple

Finally, a trip to Scotland is not complete without a wee dram of whisky! We’re lucky to have Old Pulteney Distillery right on our doorstep. So, you get to see where and how our water of life is made on a Whisky Tour and then appreciate the taste even more after! We even offer Scottish Whisky Tasting Experiences right here at our wee Scottish hotel.

And, if whisky isn’t your tipple of choice, then Mackays Hotel offers a great cocktail masterclass experience too! Not to mention our bubbly and boozy afternoon teas! So, we make for the perfect evening entertainment, whilst you get to sit back and learn of our Scotch whiskies, or make cocktails and drink what you create!