About Us
Welcome to Wick
Experience More.
Welcome to Wick is your gateway to one of Scotland’s most northerly and characterful coastal towns. Created by a community-led initiative, this platform brings together everything that makes Wick special, from dramatic coastlines and historic streets, to local businesses, events and places to stay.
Whether you are visiting for the first time, travelling the North Coast 500, or rediscovering your hometown, Welcome to Wick is here to help you explore, experience and connect with our community.
Explore The Town
Explore The Coast
Things To See & Do
Out & About
Places to Eat, Drink & Shop
Places to Stay
Our Town
A Town Shaped by Sea and Story
Built by the Harbour
Wick grew around its harbour. Once one of Europe’s busiest herring ports, the town thrived during the era of the “silver darlings”, drawing fishermen, traders and travellers from across the world. The planned streets of Pulteneytown, designed by engineer Thomas Telford, still reflect that ambitious period of expansion.
Today, the harbour remains active, supporting fishing vessels, renewable energy and an 80-berth marina. Its working character is not preserved history, it is living heritage.
Framed by Coast and Sky
Set on the River Wick and opening eastwards to the North Sea, the town is framed by sweeping beaches, rugged cliffs and vast northern skies. Just beyond the town centre lie Sinclair Bay, Noss Head and cliff-top castles that seem to rise straight from the sea.
Wick’s coastal setting has inspired visitors for generations, including L. S. Lowry and Robert Louis Stevenson. It is a place where light, weather and sea are always part of the story.
Powered by Community
Community spirit runs deep in Wick. Annual events such as Gala Week and Harbour Day bring colour, celebration and connection to the streets and riverside.
From independent shops along Bridge Street and High Street to volunteer-led projects that care for the Riverside gardens, Wick is shaped by the people who live and work here. It is not simply somewhere to visit, it is somewhere that welcomes you in.
Wick Coast
Where the Land Meets the Sea
The coastline around Wick is one of Scotland’s most dramatic and rewarding landscapes.
Sinclair’s Bay stretches in a sweeping arc of sand at Reiss to Keiss, and further North is Freswick Bay. Cliff-top paths lead to the striking ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe and the austere silhouette of Castle of Old Wick.
At Noss Head, the lighthouse designed by Alan Stevenson stands watch over waters once feared by sailors. Today, these same waters attract wildlife-watchers hoping to glimpse orca, seals and seabirds along the cliffs.
The coast is wild, beautiful and unforgettable.
Getting to Wick
Your Journey North
Bus – The Stagecoach X99 and the Ember E6 bus run between Inverness to Wick seven days a week, and take approximately 3 hours. The timetables for Ember and Stagecoach are online.
Local bus services from Wick visiting the surrounding area are run by Stagecoach and you can find more about those routes here.
Train – The train runs between Inverness and Wick seven days a week and takes approximately 4 hours 23 minutes. Further information and timetables can be found here.
Boat – Wick Marina has 80 berths, more information on day rates and special offer weekly rates can be found here.
Plane – There is a service that runs between Wick and Aberdeen, more information on flight availability can be found from ticket booking search engines. Inverness Airport has flights from many destinations, and you can book car hire at the airport.
Car – From Inverness follow the A9 and A99 north. Wick is just over two hours from Inverness, and is the farthest North-Easterly Town in Scotland. The NC500 passes right through Wick so if you are heading clockwise or anti-clockwise Wick is part of your route.
Foot – Many walkers travel the NC500 route, the A9 or A99 and the John O’Groats Trail between Wick and Inverness.
Local Events
Life in Wick, All Year Round
Wick has a busy calendar of community events, markets, seasonal celebrations and cultural activities throughout the year. To see what’s on during your visit, explore the latest listings for the East Caithness Area, and plan your trip around local events.
Highland Specialities
Slow the Pace, Savour the Moment
For those looking to slow the pace, Wick offers classic Highland pastimes.
Enjoy a round at Reiss Golf Club with panoramic coastal views, or explore the heritage of Old Pulteney Distillery, where maritime influence meets traditional whisky craftsmanship.
Beyond the town, archaeology trails, brochs and ancient cairns reveal stories stretching back thousands of years, making Wick an ideal base for exploring Caithness.
Start Exploring
Whether you are here for a night, a week or a lifetime, Wick offers more than you might expect.
Explore the town. Walk the coast. Discover something new.
Welcome to Wick.