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Cape Wrath
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== History== [[File:Former Lloyd's signal station, Cape Wrath - geograph.org.uk - 436767.jpg|thumb|right|Former Lloyds signal station, Cape Wrath]] Cape Wrath was once the home of a series of small [[crofting]] communities, although by 1845 the only families remaining on the Parph were those of shepherds.<ref name=kearvaig>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/272934/details/kearvaig/ Kearvaig], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref> In the 1930s it supported a population of 30 to 40 people, including a small side school at [[Achiemore, Durness|Achiemore]] which had up to ten pupils in the 1930s but closed in 1947.<ref name=bbccoast /><ref name=herald2jun09>[http://www.heraldscotland.com/cafe-at-the-end-of-the-universe-where-a-cup-of-tea-is-guaranteed-1.911595 Cafe at the end of the universe ... where a cup of tea is guaranteed], ''The Herald'', 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref><ref name=sentry>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/296298/details/achiemore/ Achiemore], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref><ref name=schools>[http://cosutheducation.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/durness-schools.html Durness Schools], Education in Sutherland, 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2013-02-09.</ref><ref name=uney09>Uney.G (2009) [https://books.google.com/books?id=art_A1jU2BMC&pg=PA86 ''Backpacker's Britain: Northern Scotland: thirty two and three day treks''], p.86. Cicerone Press Limited. {{ISBN|978-1-85284-458-5}} (online). Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref> Building remains at locations such as Kearvaig have been dated to the 18th century.<ref name=aote>'Archaeology on the edge β Cape Wrath', [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/33353/Sanctuary_38.pdf ''Sanctuary'' vol 38], pp.50β51, 2009, Ministry of Defence (available online). Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> The Cape has few archaeological remains which can be dated to earlier than this, although a promontory fort at Eilean nan Caorach to the east of the headland may date to the late prehistoric age.<ref name=aote /><ref name=caorach>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/4849/details/eilean+nan+caorach/ Eilean nan Caorach], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref> Much of the area has been used for sheep grazing, a use which continues today, and [[shieling]]s, shelters built for shepherds, can be found across the Cape.<ref name=aote /> The area declined in population in the mid-20th century and is now almost entirely unpopulated, although military and tourism use continues.<ref name=bbccoast /> The [[Cape Wrath Lighthouse]] was built in 1828 and the access road from the Kyle of Durness dates from the same period.<ref name=nlb /> A [[Lloyd's of London]] [[signal station]] was built close to the lighthouse at the end of the 19th century to track shipping around the Cape.<ref name=devplan>[http://www.developingdurness.org/uploads/2/1/1/5/21151184/cape_wrath_development_plan_final.pdf Outline development plan for Cape Wrath] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527203333/http://www.developingdurness.org/uploads/2/1/1/5/21151184/cape_wrath_development_plan_final.pdf |date=2016-05-27 }}, Highlands and Islands social enterprise zone, August 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-18.</ref> On 27 September 1915, while sailing for [[Scapa Flow]], HMS ''Caribbean'', known as {{RMS|Dunottar Castle}} before being requisitioned for wartime service, foundered off Cape Wrath in bad weather. A tow by HMS ''Birkenhead'' was unsuccessful, and 15 died.<ref name=mna>[http://www.red-duster.co.uk/UNION12.htm Castle Mail Packet Co] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129151347/http://www.red-duster.co.uk/UNION12.htm |date=2012-11-29 }}, Red Duster (Merchant Navy Association). Retrieved 2012-11-14.</ref> An inquiry later blamed the ship's carpenter for being insufficiently familiar with the ship and for failing to shut all the scuttles. Like most of the crew, he had joined the ship just 10 days earlier.<ref name=diver31may04>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215253/http://www.divernetxtra.com/news/stories/carib310504.shtml Divers explore WW1 wreck of HMS Caribbean], Divernet news, 2004-05-31. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> The wreck was found in 2004, {{convert|35|mi|km nmi|abbr=on}}<ref name=diver31may04 /> off Cape Wrath, in {{convert|96|m|ft fathom}} of water and undisturbed except for fishing nets.<ref name=diver31may04 /><ref name=yp04>Robinson A (2004) [http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/yorkshire-diver-first-to-see-wreck-for-nearly-90-years-1-2545421 Yorkshire diver first to see wreck for nearly 90 years ''[[Yorkshire Post]]''. Retrieved 2007-08-06.</ref>
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