Wick is a coastal town on the main highway linking John O Groats with southern Britain, a royal burgh and the county town of Caithness, in the far north of Scotland.

The town's borough council was abolished when Caithness became part of the Highland Region in 1975. A community council was created at the same time.

The River Wick flows through the town and a commercial harbour is established on the south side of the river esturary. A railway links Wick with southern Britain and with Thurso, the only other burgh in Caithness, and Wick Airport is on the town's northern outskirts. Caithness General Hospital is located in the town, as are the main offices of The John O Groat Journal and the Caithness Courier. A Sheriff Court hears cases arising in Caithness and Sutherland.

South of the river much of the town was developed during the 19th century herring boom, and this area is known as Poulteney Town. The Old Poulteney whisky distillery is in this area. So was the first Caithness Glass factory. (Caithness Glass has now left both the town and Caithness).

During the herring boom Wick became a major European herring port and kippering centre, and history of this era is preserved in the collections of the Heritage Centre.

Wick was originally a Viking settlement.