Major city · United Kingdom
Durness
Give Durness 2 nights only if you have a car or book the Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday bus; the bus in and out is 3 h 30 min each way from Inverness.
Durness is the far north-west corner of the Scottish mainland: a limestone shelf of beaches, cliffs and caves on the North Coast 500, 165 km from Inverness and 110 km from Thurso. There is one village, a handful of beds and a bus that runs three days a week. Come for Smoo Cave, Cape Wrath and the empty coast; come with a car, fuel and a booked bed, or don't come at all.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (short days, closures, wind); midge-heavy still evenings Jul–Aug
- Airports
- INV · EDI
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Durness999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Durness, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are the weather, single-track roads, midges and the distance to help.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance, coastguard · 112 Same, from a mobile · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportINV Inverness (About 165 km (103 mi) by the A9/A838; 2 h 30 min–3 h by car.INV Inverness (About 103 mi (165 km) by the A9/A838; 2 h 30 min–3 h by car.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical answer: the A838 is largely single-track with passing places, and fuel is at Mackay's opposite the shop, card only, 24 h.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or cake at a Balnakeil craft-village café£4–8 (≈ US$6–11)
- Sit-down mealPub or hotel main course£14–22 (≈ US$19–30)
- BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–20 (≈ US$11–30)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- INV Inverness (About 165 km (103 mi) by the A9/A838; 2 h 30 min–3 h by car. The nearest airport with scheduled flights.) · EDI Edinburgh (About 350 km (217 mi); 5–6 h by car. Rail to Inverness, then bus or car.)INV Inverness (About 103 mi (165 km) by the A9/A838; 2 h 30 min–3 h by car. The nearest airport with scheduled flights.) · EDI Edinburgh (About 217 mi (350 km); 5–6 h by car. Rail to Inverness, then bus or car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jun (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Durness: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
20 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
16 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
20 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
20 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical answer: the A838 is largely single-track with passing places, and fuel is at Mackay's opposite the shop, card only, 24 h. Without a car you walk the mile or so to Smoo Cave, Balnakeil or Keoldale, and hire a bike in summer at The Hub in the village. Buses 805, 806 and 803 cover the region on limited days.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cape Wrath
goDoor to door: About 4 h round trip from Durness
Ferry from Keoldale across the Kyle of Durness, then the minibus along the track
May–Sep daily; adult return ferry £6.50 plus minibus £15. The Cape is a live-fire range and closes to the public in spring and autumn, normally Monday–Saturday.
Kinlochbervie and Sandwood Bay
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
A838 south-west, about 40 km (25 mi)A838 south-west, about 25 mi (40 km)
Sandwood Bay is a 6.5 km (4 mi) walk each way from the car park; no facilities.Sandwood Bay is a 4 mi (6.5 km) walk each way from the car park; no facilities.
Door to door: About 2 h by car, 2 h 30 min by bus
A836 east via Tongue, about 110 km (68 mi); bus 803 on SaturdayA836 east via Tongue, about 68 mi (110 km); bus 803 on Saturday
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Thurso or break the drive.
Door to door: About 2 h 30 min by car
A836 east, about 130 km (81 mi)A836 east, about 81 mi (130 km)
A long day; combine with Dunnet Head and the Castle of Mey rather than going only for the signpost.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Durness village (Durine and Sangomore)
Shop, filling station, bunkhouse, B&Bs and the campsite. Walk to Smoo Cave in about 20 min.
Balnakeil and Loch Croispol
Craft village, chapel ruin and beach; 1.5 km (0.9 mi) west of the village, walkable by road.Craft village, chapel ruin and beach; 0.9 mi (1.5 km) west of the village, walkable by road.
Lerin, by Smoo Cave
Smoo Cave Hotel, youth hostel and Smoo Lodge; 2 km (1.2 mi) east of the village, so a car or a 25-min walk.Smoo Cave Hotel, youth hostel and Smoo Lodge; 1.2 mi (2 km) east of the village, so a car or a 25-min walk.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × £130 | £260 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £80 | £320 |
| Smoo Cave tour, adult2 × £15 | £30 |
| Cape Wrath ferry plus minibus, adult return2 × £22 | £44 |
| Durness Golf Club visitor round2 × £50 | £100 |
| Campsite hook-up plus one adult4 × £19 | £76 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £83 |
| Trip total≈ £228 per person per day, bed included | £913≈ US$1,300 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Durness excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or cake at a Balnakeil craft-village café | £4–8 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Pub or hotel main course | £14–22 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Pint of beer | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Petrol, per litreHigher here than in Inverness or Thurso. | £1.50–1.70 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Smoo Cave tour, adult | £15 (≈ US$20) |
| Cape Wrath ferry plus minibus, adult return | £22 (≈ US$30) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–20 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The bus runs Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday year-round, plus Monday May–Oct: miss it and you are stuck.
- No ATM in the village; the shop takes cards but bring cash for small sellers.
- Fuel at Mackay's is the only pump for a long way: fill at Ullapool or Thurso if you can.
- Cape Wrath is a live-fire military range and closes to the public in spring and autumn, normally Monday–Saturday: check before you go.
- Smoo Cave's inner chamber is tour-only and closes after rainfall; the outer chamber is free at any time.
- Single-track roads with passing places, sheep and campervans: allow far more time than the distance suggests.
- Mobile signal is 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone but patchy from Three; no 5G.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard
- 999
- Same, from a mobile
- 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DurnessDurness
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance, coastguard999
- Same, from a mobile112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Durness; the nearest US consulate-general is in Edinburgh and most other countries have embassies in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 805 Inverness → Durness: 3 h 30 min, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday year-round plus Monday May–Oct
- Bus 803 Thurso → Durness: 2 h 30 min, Saturday only
- Cape Wrath ferry plus minibus, adult return: about £22 (≈ US$30), May–Sep daily
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (same as English)
- Thank you — Thank you (same as English)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (same as English)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (same as English)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (same as English)
- Is the Cape Wrath range open today? — Is the Cape Wrath range open today? (same as English)
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Durness. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (short days, closures, wind); midge-heavy still evenings Jul–Aug · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 7 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for INV: last bus and rail connections field-checked, car-hire fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village and Sangomore, Smoo Cave and Lerin, Balnakeil and Faraid Head, Keoldale.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Smoo Cave tours, Cape Wrath ferry and minibus, Balnakeil craft village, Durness Golf Club) and eat pages with last orders.
- Weather and range-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisitScotland — Durness and the north-west Highlands
- officialDurness Bus
- officialSmoo Cave tours
- officialVisit Cape Wrath
- officialSango Sands Oasis
- secondaryWikivoyage: Durness, revision 5215643 (CC BY-SA 4.0)