By Rebecca Jamieson
VISITORS to Cape Wrath, one of the most remote areas in Scotland, will now be able to enjoy a nice cup of tea when they reach their secluded holiday destination.
Customers will face a ferry ride and a three-hour trek up a stony path before they reach the most isolated café in Scotland.
But visiting the café – which is situated in a lighthouse on a cliff top – will be worth it for the stunning views.
Lighthouse keeper John Ure plans to sell teas, coffees and sandwiches next month once the visitors start arriving.
He said: “It must have the best views of any café.
“You regularly see whales and dolphins in the sea below and we get visits from sea and golden eagles.
“There are also lots of red deer, badgers and foxes.”
Cape Wrath is the most northwesterly point in Scotland, and boasts Britain’s highest sea cliffs.
John and his wife Kay, both 54, are Cape Wrath’s only official residents.
When they moved in and set up home with their six spaniels, the lighthouse was derelict.
But they share their neighbourhood with the Ministry of Defence who use the area as an army bombing range for two weeks every year.
John added: “We will have to close the café a couple of weeks a year when they bomb the area.”
Despite this, more than 2000 tourists visit Cape Wrath every year.
The lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson – grandfather of the famous Treasure Island author.
It was built in 1828 and remains a working lighthouse, although it is now remotely monitored from Edinburgh.
John said: “It’s a great location and it was my idea to open a café. There can’t be many like it.”
Director of The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh, Virginia Mayes-Wright, said: “The café is even more good reason to visit Cape Wrath.”
