Arriving in Invergordon you’ll find plenty to keep yourself busy and it’s well worth joining one of the organised tours availble. If you prefer to organise your visit yourself take a look at the wealth of things to do whether active or adventure, historical or cultural or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.
AlnessAlness (G Alanais, bog,wet place or ON A Ness, Point of the river) has a long and pretty main street with a Thomas Telford bridge in the middle. The town regularly wins Scotland in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions due to its fine displays of floral art.
Balblair WoodsBalblair Wood was replanted with Scots Pine in 1905 after a violent storm. It lies to the south of Golspie past the golf course. A series of nature trails though the wood offers pleasant walking in all seasons, but it is a special treat in summer. The very rare One-flowered Wintergreen (or St Olaf ’s [...]
Bonar BridgeBonar Bridge lies at the south end of the Kyle of Sutherland, the confluence of the Salmon rich rivers of carron, Oykel and Shin. it was for long a ferry point, but in 1812 Thomas Telford chose it for the first of three bridges to cross here, and the village prospered until the Dornoch Bridge was [...]
BroraBrora (ON Brua A, Bridge river) in the parish of clyne (G cleonadh, sloping) lies at the mouth of the river Brora. There is ample evidence for prehistoric settlement including chambered cairns, hut circles, field systems, brochs, and a substantial hillfort. These early inhabitants would have been attracted by the fertile land of the coastal [...]
Conon Bridge and Muir of OrdConon Bridge and Muir of Ord were formerly on the A9 road north, but like Dingwall have been by-passed so nowadays they are tranquil little villages, spared from through traffic. Places to visit from here include the Glen Ord Distillery.
CromartyCromarty (G Crom; N Vagr, Bent Bay) is a delightful and unspoilt little village perched on a small headland protruding into the entrance of the cromarty Firth. A visit here is a real treat. The Romans called the Cromarty Firth Portus Salutis, and doubtless a Pictish settlement existed here, but no evidence has been found. A [...]
DingwallDingwall (ON Thing Vollr, Field of the Thing or Meeting Place), sits at the head of the cromarty Firth and is sheltered from the west by hills. it was elevated to the status of a royal Burgh in 1226 and prospered for nearly 400 years as the base of the Earl of Ross. From 1707, [...]
DornochDORNOCH (G Dorn Eich, horses hoof ) is a lovely little town facing south and east across the Dornoch Firth. Major redevelopment during 1810-1815 by the countess of Sutherland created the pretty cottages. The sandstone buildings fit in well with the ancient cathedral, giving the town a picturesque appearance reminiscent of a cotswolds village. Dornoch [...]
Dunrobin CastleDUNROBIN CASTLE (G Dunrobin, Robin’s Fort) stands on a bluff just north of Golspie. It has an enchanting fairytale appearance when seen from afar. Closer inspection reveals a huge multiperiod mansion house. The oldest part of the building is a 14th century keep, but it is probably built on the site of a Norse fort, [...]
FortroseFortrose is an attractive little town with fine sandstone houses surrounding its ruined 13th century cathedral. Only the south aisle and choir remain of what must once have been a very impressive building, as shown by the original outline. Although Cromwell’s army is accused of its destruction, Lord ruthven bought (or took) all of the [...]
GolspieGOLSPIE (ON Golls Baer, Goll’s Farm) is situated on the narrow coastal plain below Ben Bhraggie. The village is sheltered from the west and faces south to the Dornoch Firth. With an award winning and lovely sandy beach, nearby woodland and links, it is a very pleasant place to stop. St Andrew’s Church was rebuilt [...]
InvergordonInvergordon takes its name from Sir William Gordon, who owned land here in the 18th century. it was formerly known as Inverbreakie. The Cromarty Firth had, for along time, been used as a safe anchorage before the Royal Navy started to see its potential in the early 1800s. in the mid-1800s it was established as [...]
Loch FleetLOCH FLEET (ON fljotr, flood), the tidal estuary of the River Fleet, lies between Golspie and Dornoch. It has a diverse combination of habitats including both salt and freshwater mudflats, saltmarsh, Alderwoods, Pinewoods and sand dunes. The varied surroundings include farmland, woodland and moorland. The unusual combination supports a wide range of wildlife throughout the [...]
PortmahomackPORTMAHOMACK (G Port Mo-Cholaig, Colman’s, or Columba’s Port) may claim some association with Columba. It is certainly the best harbour on the entire coast north of Burghead and has been in use as such for a very long time. The present pier was built by Thomas Telford in 1813-16. Of the two warehouses or girnels, [...]
Portmahomack and the Tarbat peninsulaPortmahomack (G Port Mo-Cholaig, Colman’s, or Columba’s Port) may claim some association with Columba. It is certainly the best harbour on the entire coast north of Burghead and has been in use as such for a very long time. The presentpier was built by ThomasTelford in 1813-16. Of the two warehouses or girnels, the larger [...]
Rogie FallsThe Rogie Falls (ON Roki A, Sparkling river) off the A835 2 miles west of contin are well worth a visit when the rivers are in spate. A path leads from the car park to several good viewpoints over the river Blackwater including a suspension bridge near the Falls. When the Salmon are running in [...]
StrathpefferSTRATHPEFFER is a charming and unique little village 5 miles west of Dingwall. Wells have always had supernatural powers attached to them, and those around this village are no different, except for their nature. Here there are sulphurous wells of various strengths, and also chalybeate or iron-bearing waters. By the late 18th century people were [...]
TainTain claims to be the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland, having been granted a charter by Malcolm Canmore in 1066, which proclaimed the town as a Sanctuary, known as the Girth o’Tain. He is also said to have granted immunity from taxes on trading to Tain residents. St Duthac was born in Tain in the [...]
