Dunnet is a coastal parish, which lies in Highland Council Area, some 8 miles (12 km) east of Thurso and 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Wick in Highland.
It is located in the old county of Caithness, which disappeared following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1974.
The parish has an area of 70.2 sq. km (27.1 sq. miles). Dunnet has Bower, Canisbay and Olrig as its neighbouring parishes.