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3km of sweeping sands and dunes fringe this spectacular bay tucked in between Holborn Head and Dunnet Head. 

On the seashore, dunes and rock platforms there are many specialised plants such as thrift, sea rocket and marram grass. The links area, where there has been an input of wind blown shelly sand over many years, is the richest botanically, with lime-loving plants such as mountain everlasting, and the rare northern plant - the Scottish primrose. Orchids abound and the ditches are bright with marsh marigold, watercress, mint and water forget-me-not. 

The best time to see the flowering plants is from late May to the end of August.

For the bird watcher there is all year round interest. In summer there are tern, gulls and great skua feeding and patrolling the inshore waters. In autumn, winter and spring, ducks such as goldeneye and long tailed duck can be found in rafts and there is a good chance of seeing great northern divers fishing. Many waders forage on the rocky shores including dunlin, sanderling, redshank and turnstone.

On windy days a visit to Dunnet forest will sometimes reveal surprising visitors to this rare area of woodland in the North. The best birdwatching is from the car park at the Castletown end of the bay.

For further information on plants and birds contact the ranger service based upstairs in the building adjacent to the northern car park.