Dunnet Head is important in environmental terms as it includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); in wildlife terms because of the wealth of birdlife, deer and other species resident on the Head; in terms of climatic change and its impact on the environment. It is important historically because of the remains of the WWII radar station and the lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson; geologically because of the volcanic vent in Brough Bay and the geological fault going through the property which is used as the base for the Trust which is, in itself, an historical site due to its previous life as the village shop, post office, telephone exchange and inn; geographically because of its location as the most northerly point of mainland Scotland, and even more north than Moscow and parts of Alaska.

Brian Sparks, proprietor of the former Dunnet Head tearooms, and Tina Irving suggested that a Trust be set up to raise the profile of the Head and its unique position.

Dunnet Head Educational Trust was constituted as a non profit making charitable body, registered with the Inland Revenue. It was set up in May 2003 and achieved its first objective, which was to provide an information and interpretive centre at Dunnet Head. This was done by the proprietor of the property, donating the use of the premises of the old tearooms as an information centre and funds from Europe (Leader+) and the Highland Council were granted to pay the person to operate the centre. We would particularly like to thank the Highland Council Ranger Service for providing information and assistance in setting up the site.

The centre opened on 29th May 2003 just in time to enable visitors to acquire information about the eclipse. and has been admirably manned by local girls, Frances Garner of Brough and Alice Grant of Scarfskerry. 2003 was viewed by the funding bodies as the pilot of a three year project and based on its success, funds are now being sought for its continuance in 2004. The centre will close on 31st October 2003, and hopefully, funds permitting, reopen on 5th April 2004.

The information point has a wealth of information specifically about Dunnet Head and its immediate environs, and less specific information about further afield. It is supported by (Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forest Enterprise, the Highland Council, Dunnet Forestry Trust, the Dunnet Bay Initiative (DBI), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Friends of the Earth, Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board (HOST), VisitScotland, and the Dunnet Head Fishing Club. Most of the aforementioned provide the core information for the centre. The Trust is also working with the Wick Heritage Centre, the Caithness Archaeology Society, Dounreay, and, hopefully, in future Heriot Watt University. Tea and cakes are available, along with an email station and internet facilities, sale of fishing permits for the Dunnet Head lochs, local books such as the Dunnet Census 1841 and the Castletown book, maps, postcards, RSPB videos, and promotion of local crafts such as Julian Smith’s artwork. The aim is to become self sustaining within two years, so if you have any ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us. The centre in no way competes with the Ranger Service or the Tourist Board, and is supported by both in terms of information provision.

Recent activities:

* Two talks took place at the IP, one from Stuart Gibb, Environmental Research Institute (ERI) in Castle Street, Thurso, and the other from Colin Gregory, Dounreay. Stuart described the role of the ERI and its work and can be contacted on Stuart.Gibb@thurso.uhi.ac.uk for further information. Colin outlined the history of the plant, its impact on the local economy, and the Dounreay Site Restoration Plan (DSRP). It is planned to have further talks next year.

* Clearing ragwort in Dunnet Forest during August, and raising the awareness of the harmful effects of ragwort. In the first of (hopefully) many environmental activities, the Dunnet Riders, under the auspices of the DHET, had a series of sessions pulling ragwort out of Dunnet Forest, with the kind permission of Will Menzies and the Dunnet Forestry Trust. Tina also wrote to the Highland Council to raise the awareness of the amount of ragwort on the road verges between Dunnet and Castletown, to no avail.
* Looking at a network of tracks for walkers, cyclists and horse riders in the Dunnet area in conjunction with the local landowners, the Council, the Highland Access Project, bearing in mind the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

* Raising the awareness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and input to the consultative document.
* Dunnet Head Fishing Club AGM were held at the premises on 28th August
* The creation of an Access for All Forum on the caithness.org web site.
* Contact with the major landowners at Dunnet Head

Projects

The main project at the moment is to identify and agree further funding for the information point, ostensibly to pay the person to run the centre. Information will still be available via the information box across the road from the centre. The Trust does, however, have several other projects ongoing:

Feasibility Study – we are working on applying for a grant to bring students between 12 and 18 to the north of Scotland to learn about the environment, history, geology, geography, wildlife etc. of the area, a project identified as a good one to do at the last meeting. We have got as far as getting a quote and identifying the fund.

Access - There is still a lot of work with regard to the network of tracks for the Dunnet area, but a "leader" needs to be identified and a public meeting held to identify further tracks, what funding is required etc. On the web site will be a signing in area to which interested parties can look at the information about the activities of the Trust, including access.

Local History Project – the aims are to collect, collate, and record the history of Dunnet Head and its environs.

SNH – very kindly provided 50% of the funds for the information shelter across the road from the premises, the other 50% were provided by the proprietors of the Dunnet Head B&B.

Attendance at the Heritage Fair – 4/5 October at Assembly Rooms, Wick.

Electronic Information Provision- see our web site at http://www.dunnethead.com.

Possible other projects

Birdwatching and environmental studies courses

Guided walks