Cycle Routes Around Dornoch

Cycle Routes Around Dornoch quiet roads and glorious scenery Includes the Good Cycling Code his part of Sutherland was Spinningdale Mill T made for cycling – quiet (Route 5) roads, gentle gradients, and just so much to see. All our cycle routes start at the Tourist Information Centre in The Square, Dornoch, where you’ll find a vast amount of help, information, personal attention and local knowledge. Routes have been planned to avoid major roads and steep gradients wherever possible, whilst taking in the most spectacular scenery, historical sites and places where you’re most likely to see some of our more exotic Highland wildlife. Routes 1 and 2 take you past the fishing village of Embo to within sight of the old ferry port of Littleferry, visible across Loch Fleet, an internationally-renowned nature reserve where you can see an incredibly diverse range of ducks and waders. Route 3 extends the tour, beside the remains of the old “Dornoch Light Railway” line, along the edge of Loch Fleet to join the A9 at Cambusavie. Route 4 will show you the disused Dornoch Firth ferry terminal at Meikle Ferry, site of a great disaster in 1809 when 99 passengers were drowned in a storm. It took nearly 200 years to bridge the Firth here, although lighthouse designer George Stephenson drew up plans for a huge wooden bridge in 1831 which you can see in Dornoch’s “Historylinks” museum. Route 5 is for the energetic romantic, following the old A9 towards Bonar Bridge and ‘cutting the corner’ through Migdale’s “Fairy Glen,” an area of outstanding natural beauty. Then over the moor – where you may see a Buzzard or two, a Peregrine, a Hen Harrier or even a Golden Eagle – to Loch Buidhe and the magical route down Strath Carnaig, with its waterfalls, wild flowers and Iron Age settlements, to emerge at the Fleet Nature reserve. Routes 6 to 9 will show you the delightful crofting communities on our inland plateau – well-wooded, with enchanting names like Lednabirichen, Achavandra, Fleuchary. The area contains a wide range of birds, animals and plants specific to this habitat, including the Goldcrest – Britain’s smallest bird. So take your time, take care, and enjoy touring this unique, unspoilt part of Britain – your bicycle will let you see it all from a totally different perspective. The Routes…………… L = left/gauche/linke/izquierda R = right/droit/rechte/derecha Loch Fleet – 8 miles R – 0.5 miles (A949) to junction at War Memorial – R (B9168) for 2 miles to A9 junction (Trentham Hotel) – R (A9) for 100 yards – R for 2 miles to road junction and phone box – R for 3.5 miles to Dornoch. Skelbo Street – 7.5 miles L – L into Embo Road – 3 miles to view of Littleferry – L at ‘Fourpenny Farm’ – 1.5 miles across minor road, through Skelbo Street to A9 junction – L (A9) for 1 mile past Trentham Hotel – L (B9168) to Dornoch for 2 miles to A949 junction at War Memorial – L. Cambusavie – 11 Miles L – L into Embo Road – 6 miles to A9 junction at Cambusavie – L (A9) for 3 miles past Trentham Hotel – L (B9168) to Dornoch for 2 miles to A949 junction at War Memorial – L. Meikle Ferry – 11 miles R for 0.5 mile to West Church – L into Sutherland Road for 3 miles to A9 junction – L (A9) for 0.5 miles – R to Meikle Ferry 1.5 miles (end of road) – Great care must be taken retrace to A9 junction – L (A9) for 2.5 miles – when cycling on the A9, R (A949) for 2 miles to Dornoch. which is a major trunk road. Loch Buidhe – 29.5 miles R (A949) for 2 miles to A9 junction – L (A9) for 1 mile to Clashmore – R (A949) for 5 miles to Achavandra – 10 miles Achvaich – 14.5 miles Spinningdale – R for 3.5 miles through ‘Fairy Glen’ to R – 0.5 mile (A949) to junction at War Memorial – R – 2 miles (A949) to A9 junction – R (A9) for 0.5 Migdale – R for 11.5 miles past Loch Buidhe to A9 R (B9168) for 2 miles to A9 junction – R (A9) for 0.5 mile – L for 1.5 miles – L for 0.5 mile to Astle (road junction at Cambusavie – R (A9) for 0.5 mile – L for 6 mile – L for 1 mile – L for 600 yards – L for 1 mile end) – retrace to junction – L for 1 mile to junction – miles past Loch Fleet and Embo to Dornoch. – L past Badninish for 1.5 miles to major road – L for 1.5 miles to Achvaich (end L for 0.5 mile to A9 junction – R (A9) for 1 mile – of road) – retrace to junction – Badninish – 10.5 miles L (A949) 2 miles to Dornoch. L for 2.5 miles to A9 – R (A9) for 1 mile – L (A949) R – 0.5 mile (A949) to junction at War Memorial – for 2 miles to Dornoch. R (B9168) for 2 miles to A9 junction (Trentham Hotel) Balvraid – 11.5 miles – R (A9) for 1 mile – L for 1.5 miles to Clashnagrave R – (A949) 2 miles to A9 junction – R (A9) for 1 mile – Route times are not given, as they – L for 2 miles past Badninish to major road – L for 0.5 mile – R to Balvraid for 4 miles to A9 junction – L for 0.5 mile to A9 junction – R (A9) for 1 mile – R for 2 miles – L (B9168) to Dornoch (past Trentham Hotel) will vary according to the rider L (A949) 2 miles to Dornoch. for 2 miles to A949 junction at War Memorial – L. and road conditions. The Good Cycling Code Obey the rules of the road: ▲ Always follow the Highway code. Be Courteous: ▲ Give way to pedestrians. ▲ Remember that some people are hard of hearing or visually impaired: don’t assume they can see or hear you. Care for the environment: ▲ Can you reach the start of your journey by bicycle or public transport? Look after yourself: ▲ Take special care at junctions, when cycling downhill and on loose surfaces. ▲ Keep your bicycle roadworthy; use lights in poor visibility. ▲ When using your bicycle, take clothing and accessories seriously: helmet, lights, bell, high-visibility clothing. For more information about Dornoch, visit our web site at www.visitdornoch.com For more information about holidays in the Scottish Highlands, visit www.highlandfreedom.com ● Front cover picture: Clashnagrave (Routes 6 & 8) Produced by the Dornoch Focus Group, a partnership of local business and administrative organisations which promotes the cultural and historic heritage of the Royal Burgh. Produced with assistance from Scottish National Heritage Design and artwork donated by Pelorus, Dornoch Printed by Ink Shop.

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