Reay (Scottish Gaelic: Ratha) is a village which has grown aroun Sandside Bay on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland. It is within the historic Parish of Reay and the historic county of Caithness. The origin of the name is uncertain, but possibilities include the Gaelic Reidh, a flat place or Ratha a fort or enclosure; or the Norse Ra, a boundary marker or Vra, a nook or corner. Another possibility is the word Ra, a now obsolete word for the yardarm of a boat. Interestingly, a prehistoric mound at the west end of the beach is called Cnocstanger, which means pole hill.