Lybster: Harbour, Coast and History

Lybster combines its harbour and fishing history with a distinctive coastal landscape, walking stages and activities on the water. If you’re looking for a hotel in Lybster, you can tailor your stay to culture, nature, walking, golf or an experience on the water. The North Coast 500 also passes through the village.

Harbour and history

Lybster Harbour at Invershore is a Category B listed building. The Waterlines Heritage Museum and Visitor Centre is located at the harbour. It showcases Lybster’s natural history as well as its fishing industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The harbour brings together the area’s natural history and its maritime past.

The lighthouse at Lybster Harbour was built in 1884 to serve the busy herring harbour. Visitors can walk to the lighthouse. Waterlines regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, events, social group meetings and workshops. The programme may vary; check what’s happening during your stay before you visit.

Coast, nature and walking stages

Cliffs and steep slopes surround Lybster Harbour; in spring, they are covered with primroses. The bridge over the Reisgill Burn offers a glimpse of a different landscape: from there, you can see into a deeply cut coastal ravine containing one of the few natural deciduous woodlands in Caithness.

On Stage 10 of the John o' Groats Trail, a developed path runs for around two-thirds of a mile from the whale-watching point to Lybster Harbour. Stage 11 starts on the High Street and runs mostly along the cliffs. It is marked Amber; challenging sections are also noted. The stage information therefore differs: for Stage 10, a short section to the harbour is described, while Stage 11 focuses on the cliff route and its challenging stretches. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out on a walk.

Activities on the water and the golf course

You can use the shoreline at Lybster Harbour to launch and land sea kayaks. Check local sea and access conditions before doing so. A trip with Caithness Seacoast includes a one-hour stop at the picturesque harbour of Lybster. Trips depend on the weather, tides and booking conditions; check current options when planning.

Lybster Golf Club has 9 holes across 15 acres. Golfers of all abilities are welcome. Visitor policies may change, so check them before your game. Lybster offers a range of ways to shape your stay, from its historic harbour and coastal landscape to golf and activities on the water.

Getting here

Lybster is accessible by car via the A99. Buses connect the village with Wick, John o' Groats, Thurso and Inverness. Bus services may change, so check the timetable for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Rhiconich, Whitefield, Isleornsay, Glenelg, Teangue, Letterfearn, Forsinard, Dingwall.

Back to the main travel overview: Highland.