Wick is an ideal base for exploring Caithness and northern Scotland. This historic seaport town was designated a royal burgh in 1589 and was once the busiest herring port in the world. Its name comes from the Viking word ‘vic’, meaning bay, and the Vikings were the first to settle here at the mouth of the River Wick.  

Passenger Information 

Details can be found on Scotrail’s website

What to see and do 

• Immerse yourself in local history with a trip to Wick Heritage Centre, telling the story of the town’s long and fascinating history and rich herring fishing heritage through an extensive collection of local objects and stories. At the heritage Centre you can see the Alexander Johnston collection (photos taken between 1860 and 1890 when the herring fisheries were at their height) at johnstoncollection.net
• Visit the Harbour, a thriving commercial port and once the largest herring fishing port in Europe and you might see the Wick Society’s traditional Fifie fishing vessel the Isabella Fortuna.   
• Take a dip and watch the sunset over the North Sea! Wick has two outdoor natural sea water pools, the Trinkie and the North Baths, both with stunning ocean views well used by local coldwater swimming groups.  
• Visit the Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives home to the archives of the UK civil nuclear industry which date back over seventy years and include plans, drawings, photographs, film, microfiche and documents. Nucleus also houses the historical archives of the county of Caithness which date from 1469 to the present day and consist of documents in different formats including charters, minute books, correspondence, maps, photographs and plans.   
• Explore the coast! One of the best ways to experience the Caithness coastline is by boat. Enjoy exhilarating cruises, spectacular coastal scenery and abundant Scottish wildlife with Caithness Seacoast. Wick Harbour allows visitors a unique experience – enjoying the water around Caithness with Caithness Seacoast Boat Tours.
• Visit the world’s shortest street! Ebenezer Place in Wick holds the world record for the shortest street.   
• This part of the Caithness Coastline is dotted with historic monuments, cains, brochs and long abandoned castles. Walk along the coastline and Discover one of Caithness’ most striking medieval sites, perched on a narrow promontory, flanked by towering cliffs you will find the remnants of the Old Castle of Wick or head North the Nybster Broch in Auckengill, one of the most accessible Iron Age Settlements in Caithness. Find a fantastic interactive Map online here from the Caithness Broch Project.
• Stroll along the beach! Just north of Wick, near the village of Keiss, lies Keiss Beach. A glorious white sandy beach with views over Sinclair’s Bay. 
• Old Pulteney Distillery.  They produce hand-crafted single malt whiskies and age them next to the sea, thereby giving them an unmistakable coastal character.
• Lybster line (closed in 1944), especially the Thrumpster station building, which has been recently restored.