HMS Blake Stones

The stones themselves are modest - a scatter of weathered rocks on the moorland near Durness that mark where HMS Blake ran aground in 1746. It's not dramatic, but there's something rather moving about standing where a Royal Navy vessel met its end on this bleak stretch of Highland coast.

You won't find visitor facilities or interpretation boards. That's rather the point. This is a proper historical site that demands you do a bit of legwork - literally and mentally. The walk out from Durness is straightforward enough across open moorland, though the weather can turn vicious without warning. Allow an hour return trip if you're taking photos and having a think about it all.

Historians and naval enthusiasts will find it worthwhile, particularly if you're already exploring the northwest Highlands. The context matters more than the view itself: this was a significant loss during a period of naval conflict, and the remoteness of the location really brings home how isolated life was out here. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're properly interested in shipwrecks and 18th-century history.

If you're staying at Sango Sands Oasis just down the road, the HMS Blake Stones slot neatly into a morning exploring the Durness area. Pair it with a visit to Smoo Cave or the beaches - the whole region rewards a slow, wandering approach rather than ticking boxes. The stones cost nothing and take no time, but they're worth the detour if maritime history gets you going.