Along the river valleys and in the southeast, around Dornoch Firth, are fertile areas. The western and northern shores of the county are deeply indented by numerous sea-lochs and marked by cliffs and rocky headlands. There are many lochs and tarns and rivers of great beauty. Of the streams, the Okyell River is the chief, emptying into Dornoch Firth. Sutherland is the least densely populated of Scottish shires.
Manufacturing is little developed.
The county town is Dornoch.