A remote and scattered crofting township in northwest Sutherland, Highland Council Area, Durness (Gael: Diuranais) lies to the northwest of Loch Eriboll and 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Laxford Bridge. There is a 12th-century church and a craft village was established in former RAF huts in 1964 at Balnakeil. A substantial community hall opened in 2001. Beatle John Lennon (1940-80) spent his boyhood summers with his aunt in Durness and he is remembered by a memorial in the garden next to the hall, erected in 2002. Durness Highland Games are held annually in July and the area offers sea trout fishing opportunities for the visitor, as well as walking and sailing. Two miles (3 km) to the east is the Smoo Cave, a series of large limestone caverns.
This area is associated with Clan Mackay.
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