Editing Cape Wrath

{{Short description|Cape in Scotland}}
{{About||the television series|Cape Wrath (TV series)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox landform
| type         =[[Cape (geography)|Cape]]
|photo         = CapeWrathFromSeawardByColinWheatleyFeb2007.jpg
|photo_caption = Cape Wrath from the sea
|name          = Cape Wrath
|other_name    = {{native name|gd|Am Parbh}}
|grid_ref_UK   = 
|coordinates   = {{Coord|58.62|-5.00|display=inline,title}}
|location      = [[Scottish Highlands]]
|map           = UK Scotland
|map_relief    = 1
|map_width     = 256
|map_caption   = Location in [[Scotland]]
}}

'''Cape Wrath''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|æ|θ}} ({{langx|gd|Am Parbh}}, known as ''{{lang|gd|An Carbh}}'' in Lewis) is a [[Cape (geography)|cape]] in the [[Durness]] parish of the county of [[Sutherland]] in the [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] of Scotland. It is the most north-westerly point in Great Britain.

The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the [[Kyle of Durness]] and consists of {{convert|107|sqmi|km2|abbr=off}} of moorland wilderness known as the Parph. The first road was built in 1828 by the lighthouse commission across the Parph/Durness. This road connects a passenger ferry that crosses the Kyle of Durness with the buildings on the peninsula.

Much of the cape is owned by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and is used as a military training area, including as live firing range. Areas of it are also designated as a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]], a [[Special Protection Area]], a [[Special Area of Conservation]] and a [[Special Landscape Area]].

==Etymology==
The name Cape Wrath is derived from [[Old Norse]] ''{{lang|non|hvarf}}'' ("turning point"), accordingly, ''wrath'' is pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|æ|θ}} (''a'' as in ''cat'').<ref name=bbc20jan13>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19622803 Cape Wrath locals accuse MoD of land grab], BBC news website, 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2013-01-20.</ref> Vikings are believed to have used the cape as a navigation point where they would turn their ships.<ref name=bbccoast>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/coast/series1/08-cape-wrath-orkney.shtml Life on the Edge], Northern Scotland – Cape Wrath to Orkney, Coast, BBC. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref><ref name=nlb>[http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Cape-Wrath/ Cape Wrath], [[Northern Lighthouse Board]]. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=gran1jul11>Carter.M (2011) [https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/jul/01/cape-wrath-scotland-mike-carter My travels: Mike Carter in Cape Wrath, Scotland], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref>

== 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 – Cape Wrath', [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/33353/Sanctuary_38.pdf ''Sanctuary'' vol 38], pp.50–51, 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>

== Geography==
[[File:Cliffs East of Cape Wrath - geograph.org.uk - 931672.jpg|thumb|right|Cliffs east of Cape Wrath]]
Cape Wrath is located in the traditional county of [[Sutherland]] within [[Highland Region]]. [[Durness]] is the closest village, {{convert|10|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} southeast with [[Inverness]] around {{convert|120|mi|km|abbr=on|-2}} to the south.

The sea cliffs around the cape are composed of [[Torridonian sandstone]] and [[Lewisian gneiss]].<ref name=spades /><ref name=spacite /> These rise to {{convert|281|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level and include the highest sea cliffs on the British mainland at Clò Mòr around {{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the east of the headland.<ref name=bbccoast /><ref name=jncc3 /><ref name=sla /> [[Sea stack]]s, such as Stac an Dùnain at the cape itself and Stac Clò Kearvaig to the east, rise out of the sea off the coastline, with Duslic, a reef, {{convert|5/8|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of the cape. The cape is part of the [[North West Highlands Geopark]], a {{convert|2000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} area with [[UNESCO]] [[Global Geoparks Network|geopark]] status.<ref name=greentourism>[http://www.greentourism.org.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-008new19l.RefLocID-008015003.Lang-EN.htm Scotland's first geopark] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121060529/http://www.greentourism.org.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-008new19l.RefLocID-008015003.Lang-EN.htm |date=2008-11-21 }}, Visit Scotland, 2004-11-18. Retrieved 2013-02-09.</ref>

[[Crofting]] [[Township (Scotland)|townships]] of two or three houses with associated enclosures existed at Daill, [[Achiemore, Durness|Achiemore]], Kearvaig and Inshore into the mid-20th century.<ref name=kearvaig /><ref name=daill>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/272929/details/daill/ Daill], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref><ref name=achiemore>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/272928/details/achiemore/ Achiemore], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref><ref name=inshore>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/4823/details/inshore/ Inshore], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref> The land originally formed part of the Sutherland estates owned by the [[Duke of Sutherland]].<ref name=kearvaig /><ref name=inshore /> An area of {{convert|25000|acres|ha|abbr=off}}, covering almost all of the northern part of the peninsula, is owned by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] for use as a military training area.<ref name=nt13sep12>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Fears-over-future-as-MoD-buy-out-of-Cape-Wrath-land-looms-13092012.htm Fears over future as MoD buy-out of Cape Wrath land looms], ''[[The Northern Times]]'', 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2017-07-17.</ref><ref name=bbc13may13>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22513993 MoD drops Cape Wrath land purchase], [[BBC News]], 2013-05-13.</ref><ref name=nt6jan17>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/225k-for-Cape-Wrath-community-land-buyout-06012017.htm £22.5k for Cape Wrath community land buyout], ''[[The Northern Times]]'', 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-07-17.</ref>

===Climate===
As with the rest of the British Isles, Cape Wrath has an [[Oceanic climate|Oceanic]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] '''Cfb''') climate. This is especially pronounced due to its western coastal location.

Its exposed northerly position can give rise to some exceptionally low winter sunshine levels: in January 1983 it recorded just 38 minutes of sunshine, a record low for Scotland.<ref>[http://www.loveofscotland.com/gazet.html Gazetteer: Climate], Love of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-03. (archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20081120143231/http://www.loveofscotland.com/gazet.html Archive]).</ref> This exposed position, however, also means severe frost is rare compared to inland locations such as [[Altnaharra]] or [[Kinbrace]]. The record low of {{convert|-6.9|C|F}} is comparable to those recorded in [[Shetland]], the [[Hebrides]] and the [[Scilly Isles]] of England. A slight [[Foehn wind|föhn]] effect can also occur with the right angle of southerly winds, exemplified by the record December high of {{convert|17.7|C|F}}.

Strong winds can be a feature of weather conditions at the cape, with gusts of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} recorded.<ref name=gran1jul11 />
{{Weather box
|location = Cape Wrath
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed=yes
|Jan record high C = 16.1
|Feb record high C = 13.9
|Mar record high C = 17.8
|Apr record high C = 19.1
|May record high C = 24.4
|Jun record high C = 25.6
|Jul record high C = 26.0
|Aug record high C = 26.9
|Sep record high C = 23.9
|Oct record high C = 22.2
|Nov record high C = 16.0
|Dec record high C = 17.7
|year record high C = 26.9
|Jan high C = 6.5
|Feb high C = 6.3
|Mar high C = 6.9
|Apr high C = 8.0
|May high C = 10.8
|Jun high C = 12.2
|Jul high C = 14.2
|Aug high C = 14.6
|Sep high C = 12.9
|Oct high C = 11.0
|Nov high C = 8.5
|Dec high C = 7.3
|year high C =
|Jan low C = 2.3
|Feb low C = 2.2
|Mar low C = 2.6
|Apr low C = 3.8
|May low C = 6.1
|Jun low C = 8.0
|Jul low C = 10.0
|Aug low C = 10.5
|Sep low C = 9.0
|Oct low C = 7.0
|Nov low C = 4.4
|Dec low C = 3.1
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = −6.0
|Feb record low C = −6.9
|Mar record low C = −4.5
|Apr record low C = −6.0
|May record low C = −2.0
|Jun record low C = 1.6
|Jul record low C = 4.0
|Aug record low C = 4.1
|Sep record low C = 2.5
|Oct record low C = -0.5
|Nov record low C = −3.0
|Dec record low C = −5.1
|year record low C = −6.9
|Jan precipitation mm = 131.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 77.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 101.49
|Apr precipitation mm = 62.87
|May precipitation mm = 55.43
|Jun precipitation mm = 70.49
|Jul precipitation mm = 82.91
|Aug precipitation mm = 100.44
|Sep precipitation mm = 139.62
|Oct precipitation mm = 138.28
|Nov precipitation mm = 160.95
|Dec precipitation mm = 138.31
|year precipitation mm =
|Jan sun = 25.4
|Feb sun = 61.1
|Mar sun = 92.4
|Apr sun = 133.3
|May sun = 182.2
|Jun sun = 159.3
|Jul sun = 132.3
|Aug sun = 136.4
|Sep sun = 96.1
|Oct sun = 67.0
|Nov sun = 30.7
|Dec sun = 17.7
|year sun = 
|source 1 = YR.NO<ref>[http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Scotland/Kearvaig/statistics.html Averages for Cape Wrath], YR.NO</ref>
|source 2 = Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI<ref>[http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/anomaly.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TNn&year=1978&seasonid=18&create_image=true&minx=-2516666.6666667&miny=-6600000&maxx=4416666.6666667&maxy=-1400000&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=175&mainmap.y=177&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom Extremes for Cape Wrath], KNMI</ref><br />{{convert|112|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level, 1971–2000, Extremes 1960–2000
|date=November 2011}}

==Natural environment==
[[File:Beyond the lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 436771.jpg|thumb|right|Cliffs at Cape Wrath]]
[[File:Kearvaig Beach and Cathedral Rock - geograph.org.uk - 370008.jpg|thumb|right|Stack Clò Kearvaig and Kearvaig beach]]
Because its landscape is largely untouched by man, Cape Wrath has a wide diversity of wildlife, including [[red deer]], [[hooded crow]], [[European rock pipit|rock pipit]], [[golden eagle]], [[great cormorant|cormorant]] and [[northern gannet|gannet]].<ref name=scotsman8apr10 /> An area of {{convert|1019.2|ha|acre|frac=8}} is designated as a [[Special Protection Area]] (SPA) and a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI).<ref name=spades>[http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1860 Cape Wrath], SPA designation, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> The cliffs around the cape are an internationally important nesting site for over 50000 seabirds, including colonies of puffin ''[[Fratercula arctica]]'', razorbill ''[[Alca torda]]'', guillemot ''[[Uria aalge]]'', kittiwake ''[[Rissa tridactyla]]'' and fulmar ''[[Fulmarus glacialis]]''.<ref name=spades /><ref name=spacite>[http://www.snh.org.uk/about/directives/CapeB433685.pdf Cape Wrath] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213519/http://www.snh.org.uk/about/directives/CapeB433685.pdf# |date=2016-03-03 }}, Citation for Special Protection Area, Scottish Natural Heritage, September 2009. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> The SPA extends {{convert|2|km|mi|frac=4|abbr=on}} out to sea and includes the sea bed and marine environment which is a source of food for the bird population of the area.<ref name=spades /><ref name=spacite />

Numbers of seabirds in the area saw significant declines in the early 21st century with puffin numbers falling by 50%.<ref name=sanctuary09>'Ringing in the century', [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/33353/Sanctuary_38.pdf ''Sanctuary'' no.38], 2009, pp.20–23, Ministry of Defence (available online). Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> An area of {{convert|1015.2|ha|acre|frac=8}} is also designated as a [[Special Area of Conservation]].<ref name=sac>[http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/sac.asp?EUCode=UK0030108 Cape Wrath], Site details, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> Marine species present in the area include [[harbour porpoise]], [[common seal]] and [[bottle-nosed dolphin]] as well as species such as [[sea squirt]]s and [[sponges]].<ref name=jncc3>[http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/pubs_csuk_region03.pdf Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom, Region 3 North-east Scotland: Cape Wrath to St. Cyrus], Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2006. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref>

The cliff-top vegetation at sites such as Clò Mòr includes common scurvygrass ''[[Cochlearia officinalis]]'' and a wide range of habitats are present. These include cliff-top sand dunes at the cape itself as well as [[montane]] habitats found at sea level.<ref name=scotsman8apr10 /><ref name=sac />

An area of {{convert|123|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} around the coastline is designated as a [[Special Landscape Area]].<ref name=sla>[http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/75BE9453-1C1D-4076-BCFE-D7A3BEADCB9E/0/AHSLA.pdf Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080049/http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/75BE9453-1C1D-4076-BCFE-D7A3BEADCB9E/0/AHSLA.pdf |date=2014-04-29 }}, The Highland Council, June 2011. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> This area extends from [[Oldshoremore]] in the south-west to [[Durness]] in the east and includes the entire coastline of the cape area.<ref name=sla /> Just offshore is Stac Clò Kearvaig, also known as "The Cathedral" due to the appearance of two spires and a natural window created by erosion. To the east lies Garvie Island (An Garbh-eilean), one of the main targets for live firing by the military.

Inland the landscape is primarily covered in peat and is often boggy with difficult terrain and a number of [[lochan]]s, the largest of which, Loch Airigh na Beinne, is around {{convert|0.6|km2|sqmi|frac=4}} in area.<ref name=scotsman8apr10 /> The area has been described as one of the few coastal wildernesses in Britain.<ref name=sla /> Plant species include heather ''[[Calluna vulgaris]]'', juniper ''[[Juniperus communis]]'' and ferns.<ref name=spades />

==Cape Wrath Lighthouse==
{{ main article|Cape Wrath Lighthouse }}
The lighthouse at Cape Wrath was built in 1828 by [[Robert Stevenson (civil engineer)|Robert Stevenson]] and was staffed until 1998, when it was converted to automatic operation by the [[Northern Lighthouse Board]].<ref name=nlb /><ref name=gran1jul11 /> The lighthouse, which is a Category A [[listed building]], is a {{convert|20|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall white-washed tower built of granite with a single storey semi-circular base building.<ref name=listing>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB488|desc=Cape Wrath Lighthouse and Keepers' Cottages|cat=A|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> The light, which is {{convert|122|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level, is visible for {{convert|22|nmi|km|abbr=off}}.<ref name=nlb />

A complex of buildings close to the lighthouse were built by [[Lloyd's of London]] between 1894 and 1903 as a signal station to track shipping around the Cape. This closed in 1932, although the buildings were reused at the start of World War II as a coastguard station.<ref name=devplan />

==Military use==
[[File:RAF Regiment Forward Air Controllers.jpg|thumb|RAF [[Forward Air Controller]]s guide a [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Typhoon]] of [[No. 6 Squadron RAF]] onto its target during an exercise at Cape Wrath.]]
[[File:Vedette No. 2 - geograph.org.uk - 887154.jpg|thumb|right|Military post on way to ranges]]
The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MoD) owns a {{convert|59|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} area of the cape, known as the Cape Wrath Training Centre.<ref name=bbc13may13 /><ref name=range>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/272933/details/cape+wrath+range/ Cape Wrath Range], Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> The cape was used for training exercises from the early years of the 20th century,<ref name=modleaflet>[https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/43345/dte_info_leaflet_scotland.pdf Public Information Leaflet], Defence Training Estate Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> with the first by-laws established in 1933 to allow use of the area as a firing range.<ref name=range /><ref name=modleaflet /> The area was used originally as a naval gunnery range and was bought by the MoD in 1999.<ref name=range /><ref name=modleaflet /> Since 2005 the area has been used as a multi-services training area and is one of the sites used in the [[Exercise Joint Warrior|Joint Warrior]] exercises, Europe's largest military exercise, and by other NATO operations.<ref name=range /><ref name=bbc13may13 /><ref name=bbc20jan10>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8468126.stm 'Don't bomb' idea for Cape Wrath firing range], BBC news website, 2010-01-10. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=nt21sep09>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/NW-will-play-part-in-largest-military-exercise-in-Europe-21092011.htm NW will play part in largest military exercise in Europe], ''The Northern Times'', 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2013-02-09.</ref> Training is allowed on up to 120 days a year,<ref name=scotsman2feb13>[http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/cape-wrath-will-not-be-closed-to-public-mp-says-1-2772077 Cape Wrath will not be closed to public, MP says], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2014-02-18.</ref> usually taking place in the spring and autumn, although times can be unpredictable. The range is usually open for public access during the summer period and there is rarely firing on Sundays.<ref name=mod />

The MoD owns a number of the surviving buildings in the area and operates observation posts and sentry posts during training.<ref name=range /> It is used for naval gunfire practice and for army artillery and mortar range firing.<ref name=mod>[http://rnopsscotland.netfirms.com/CWR_activities.htm Military activities undertaken at Cape Wrath] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214443/http://rnopsscotland.netfirms.com/CWR_activities.htm |date=2014-05-12 }}, Royal Navy. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> Disused military vehicles are often used as targets.<ref name=bbc20jan10 /> The RAF uses An Garbh-eilean (Garvie Island) as a target for a range of training operations.<ref name=mod /> It is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where [[NATO]] forces combine land, air and sea capabilities in assault mode for training manoeuvres, deploying ordnance up to {{convert|1000|lb|kg|adj=on}} bombs.<ref name=modcape>[http://94.236.30.88/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/DefenceEstateandEnvironment/AccessRecreation/Scotland/CapeWrathTrainingArea.htm Cape Wrath Training Area]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref><ref name=modcape2>[https://www.gov.uk/public-access-to-military-areas#cape-wrath-training-area Cape Wrath Training Area], Public access to military areas, Ministry of Defence, 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref> Firing on the range is controlled from [[Faraid Head]] close to [[Balnakeil]].<ref name=modcape />

In 2008 a heath fire was caused on the range during a period of live firing. An area of around {{convert|137|ha|acre|abbr=on}} was affected. [[Scottish Natural Heritage]] estimated that the area would take 10 years to return to its normal environmental conditions.<ref name=bbc20jan10 /><ref name=bbc21may08>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7412371.stm MoD accused of 'wildlife crime'], BBC news website, 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=bbc6jun08>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7439405.stm New details emerge on cape fire], BBC news website, 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> Concern has also been raised of the effects of military exercises on nesting birds,<ref name=bbc20jan10 /> on sheep during lambing season and the effects of noise on local residents.<ref name=bbc21may08 /><ref name=bbc24feb03>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2793131.stm Concern over live shelling], BBC news website, 2003-02-24. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=nt29nov11>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Protest-over-Nato-exercise-3956.htm Protest over Nato exercise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032243/http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Protest-over-Nato-exercise-3956.htm |date=2016-03-04 }}, ''The Northern Times'', 2011-11-11. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref> A shell fired during exercises caused concern in 2002 when it landed {{convert|8|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} off-target near the mouth of [[Loch Eriboll]] and around {{convert|1|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} from houses.<ref name=bbc24feb03 /><ref name=bbc9jul02>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2118106.stm Inquiry into shell incident], BBC news website, 2002-07-09. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref>

The MoD expressed an interest in extending its land holdings on the Cape in 2012 after being given the opportunity to purchase {{convert|24|ha|acre|abbr=on}} surrounding [[Cape Wrath Lighthouse]] by the [[Northern Lighthouse Board]].<ref name=bbc20sep12>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-19584402 What motivates communities to buy land they live on?], BBC news website, 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2014-02-18.</ref> The plans were opposed by the Durness Development Group which cited concerns that historic buildings might be destroyed and that visitors may be unable to access cliff top paths.<ref name=bbc13may13 /> The group registered an interest in the land using [[Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003|community right to buy legislation]] and a petition opposing the sale attracted thousands of signatures.<ref name=scotsman2feb13 /> In May 2013, the MoD announced that it would not be continuing with the purchase.<ref name=bbc13may13 /><ref name=scotsman12may13>[http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/mod-retreats-from-cape-wrath-buyout-1-2926601 MoD retreats from Cape Wrath buyout], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 2013-05-12. Retrieved 2014-02-18.</ref>

==Tourism==
[[File:The Keoldale Ferry - geograph.org.uk - 821889.jpg|thumb|right|The Cape Wrath ferry]]
The cape is visited by between 2,000 and 6,000 tourists a year, attracted by the lack of settlements, plants, animals, cliffs, mountain backdrop and [[Cape Wrath Lighthouse|lighthouse]].<ref name=devplan /><ref name=scotsman8apr10>[http://www.scotsman.com/news/snap-cape-wrath-to-grace-playing-cards-1-798847 Snap! Cape Wrath to grace playing cards], ''The Scotsman'', 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2013-02-06.</ref><ref name=nt21dec12>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Huge-cost-to-economy-if-access-to-Cape-Wrath-is-denied-21122012.htm Huge cost to economy if access to Cape Wrath is denied], ''The Northern Times'', 2012-12-21. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref> The tourist industry is estimated to be worth between £400,000 and £620,000 to the economy of the local area around Durness.<ref name=devplan /><ref name=nt21dec12 />

The Cape is the northern trail head of two trails.
#The [[Cape Wrath Trail]], {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on}} through isolated country from [[Fort William, Scotland|Fort William]]
#The [[Scottish National Trail]], {{convert|460|mi|km|abbr=on}} from [[Kirk Yetholm]] on the Scottish border.<ref name=bbc30oct12>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-20128321 Scottish National Trail aims to link landscape and history], BBC news website, 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref>

Cape Wrath is also the turning point for the Cape Wrath Marathon. It runs for {{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the lighthouse and the same distance back to the ferry dock on the Cape side. The final {{convert|4|mi|km|round=0.5|abbr=on|adj=on}} leg of the race is run from the mainland side from the ferry dock and finishes at Durness Community Centre. The marathon is held each year as the final event of a week of races, ''the Cape Wrath Challenge''.<ref name=run>[http://www.northern-times.co.uk/Sport/Other-Sport/Hundreds-set-to-take-on-the-Cape-1932.htm Hundreds set to take on the Cape] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225230558/http://www.northern-times.co.uk/Sport/Other-Sport/Hundreds-set-to-take-on-the-Cape-1932.htm |date=2014-02-25 }}, ''The Northern Times'', 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref>

The sole inhabitants of the Cape are the Ure family, renting the main building. They converted it into a three-bedroomed home, and opened what is claimed to be Britain's most remote cafe, the [[Ozone Cafe]], in 2009.<ref name=gran1jul11 /><ref name=devplan /><ref name=scotsman8apr10 /> The cafe was opened by the [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Royal]], and seats eight people.

The Durness Development Group has made proposals, assisted by the [[Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone]], to develop Cape Wrath as a visitor location. These may see the number of visitors rise to 10,000 and facilities at the Cape developed.<ref name=devplan />

== Transport ==
[[File:View of Bridge at Daill on Cape Wrath Road - geograph.org.uk - 1393888.jpg|thumb|right|View of bridge at Daill on the Cape Wrath road looking east towards the Kyle of Durness]]
From the south, the only route to the Cape is on foot from [[Sandwood Bay]] and [[Kinlochbervie]]. Access is restricted at times by military operations on the Cape.

A rough road of around {{convert|11|mi|abbr=on}} links the lighthouse with the [[Kyle of Durness]] which is crossed by a passenger ferry service operating between May and September.<ref name=bbccoast /> The road was built as part of the lighthouse construction in 1828 and, in places, uses a series of rock causeways to cross peat bogs and [[revetment]]s to maintain a route along steep slopes. Materials for the road were quarried locally and there are a number of quarrying sites along it.<ref name=road /> The road is marked with milestones and crosses the Allt na Guaille and Kearvaig River on contemporary arched bridges.<ref name=road>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/296087/details/kyle+of+durness+to+cape+wrath+lighthouse/ Kyle of Durness to Cape Wrath lighthouse], Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=guaille>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/296029/details/allt+na+guaille/ Allt na Guaille], Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref><ref name=kearvaigbridge>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/291045/details/kervaig+river+road+bridge/ Kearvaig River road bridge], Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> The original slipway on the Kyle of Durness was built north of Daill with an associated storehouse similar to that at Clais Charnach.<ref name=roadnorth>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/297992/details/kyle+of+durness+storehouse+to+cape+wrath+lighthouse/ Kyle of Durness storehouse to Cape Wrath lighthouse], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref> This was linked by a rough track with the road being extended south the slipway at Ferry House during the 1830s.<ref name=roadnorth /><ref name=roadsouth>[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/296870/details/kyle+of+durness/ Kyle of Durness], Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2013-02-08.</ref>

The road, the U70, passes the hamlet of [[Achiemore, Durness|Achiemore]] where a Ministry of Defence check-point blocks access to the cape during live firing exercises.<ref name=sentry /><ref name=scotsman8apr10 /> It passes the farmsteads of Daill and Inshore, where the MoD uses the remaining house,<ref name=inshore /> before a track to the right links the road to the old hamlet of Kearvaig, where there is a beach and Kearvaig House which the [[Mountain Bothies Association]] have converted into a [[bothy]]. Margaret Davies, a walker, was found there dying of starvation in 2002.<ref name=kearvaig /><ref name=bothy>[https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,3604,862057,00.html Margaret's story], ''The Guardian'', 2002-12-18. Retrieved 2013-02-05.</ref> A minibus service operates along the road during the summer period linking the ferry slipway with the lighthouse.<ref name=bbccoast /> The road, ferry and minibus service are suspended during military training operations on the cape.<ref name=modcape />

== See also==
* [[Cape Wrath Lighthouse]]
* [[Durness]]
* [[North West Highlands Geopark]]
* [[Extreme points of the United Kingdom]]

== References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.visitcapewrath.com Visitors WWW site]
*[http://www.capewrath.org.uk Cape Wrath tourism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019165804/http://capewrath.org.uk/ |date=19 October 2015 }}
*[https://www.gov.uk/public-access-to-military-areas#cape-wrath-training-area Cape Wrath Training Area] Ministry of Defence information, including access information and contact telephone numbers
*[http://www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk North West Highlands Geopark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125183830/http://www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk/ |date=25 January 2008 }}

[[Category:Bombing ranges]]
[[Category:Headlands of Scotland|Wrath]]
[[Category:Landforms of Highland (council area)]]
[[Category:Landforms of Sutherland]]
[[Category:Parish of Durness|Cape Wrath]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North West Sutherland]]