Why Scotland's northernmost land was named for its position in the south

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Sutherland is a rugged Highland region defined by deep sea lochs and isolated mountains. Despite its name, which means southern land, it encompasses some of the northernmost territory on the island of Great Britain. This naming quirk reveals a history shaped by Viking rulers who viewed the area from Orkney.

The name Sutherland dates to the Viking era, when the region was governed by the Jarl of Orkney. From the perspective of Orkney and Caithness, the territory lay to the south, earning it the Norse designation Suðrland. By the 13th century, it had evolved into a provincial lordship under the Earl of Sutherland, though this earldom initially covered only the southeastern portion of the modern region. It was not until 1633 that a formal shire was established, incorporating the earldom alongside the northern province of Strathnaver and the western province of Assynt.

The landscape of Sutherland is defined by its dramatic geology, featuring Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss. The region contains Scotland's fifth-largest land area, yet it remains sparsely populated. Its mountains, such as Ben More Assynt—the county's tallest peak at 998 meters—and the isolated sandstone summits of Suilven and Foinaven, are renowned for their rugged beauty. This scenery is protected by four National Scenic Areas, which preserve landscapes that are considered quintessentially Scottish, ranging from the steep, craggy peaks of Assynt to the coastal woodlands of the Kyle of Tongue.

Sutherland's history is marked by significant social upheaval, most notably the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries. During the largest wave of evictions between 1819 and 1820, approximately 5,400 people were displaced from the Sutherland Estate to make way for large-scale sheep farming. This period triggered a long-term population decline; the 2011 census recorded 12,803 inhabitants, less than half of the 25,793 people counted in 1851. Today, the region relies on agriculture, tourism, and government-funded employment, while its ancient Gaelic heritage—once vibrant in coastal fishing villages—has faded, with the last native speaker of the East Sutherland dialect passing away in 2020.

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