Caithness

Caithness (Gallaibh in Gaelic) is a traditional county and former administrative county within the Highland area of Scotland. Caithness has also a long and complex history as an earldom. (See Earl of Caithness).

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The county consists of ten parishes: of Bower, Canisbay, Dunnet, Halkirk, Latheron, Olrig, Reay, Thurso, Watten and Wick.

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Caithness has a land boundary with Sutherland. Otherwise it is bounded by sea. The land boundary follows a watershed and is crossed by two roads (the A9 and the A836) and one railway. Across the Pentland Firth ferries link Caithness with Orkney, and Caithness has also an airport at Wick.

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Wick is a Royal Burgh and the county town. The only other burgh in the county is Thurso.

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The county council was abolished when the Highland region and Caithness District were created in 1975. In 1996 the region became a unitary authority and the district was also abolished. Caithness remains in use as the name of a Lieutenancy Area, and of an area committee of Highland Council.

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In 2001 Caithness had a usually resident population of 23,866 and settlement centres include those of Berriedale, Burnside, Castletown, Dunnet, Halkirk, Haster, John O'Groats, Latheron, Mey, Reay, Sibster, Thurso, Watten and Wick.

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Gaelic: Gaelic as an adjective means "pertaining to the Gaels", whether to their language or their culture....

Traditional county: redirect Association of British Counties...

Administrative county: An administrative county is an administrative area in the British Isles....