North Highlands Taobh-Tuath Na Gàidhealtachd
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EXPLORE 2020-2021 north highlands Taobh-tuath na Gàidhealtachd visitscotland.com Welcome to… Contents 2 North Highlands at a glance north 4 Touching the past highlands 6 What to see and do Failte gu Taobh-tuath 8 A sense of adventure na Gàidhealtachd 10 Highland wildlife 12 Natural larder 14 Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 16 What’s on 18 Travel tips 20 Practical information 24 Places to visit 37 Leisure activities 40 Shopping 43 Food & drink 47 Tours 52 Transport Gairloch area 55 Accommodation 64 Regional map Explore the epic landscapes of the North Highlands, filled with spectacular mountains, deep lochs, sandy beaches and rugged coastal cliffs offering sweeping views of the sea. Circled by the North Coast 500 driving route (Scotland’s answer to Route 66), the area is rich in history with castles, ancient archaeological sites, museums, heritage centres and more. Look out for whales and dolphins on a wildlife tour, or get active and go walking and hiking; mountain biking; and fishing to name a few of the activities to be enjoyed here. Don’t miss the chance to sample and Cover: Duncansby Stacks, purchase the fantastic local produce, Caithness beers and whiskies during your visit. Credits: © VisitScotland. Scotland’s Highlands & Islands were Kenny Lam, Neil McIntyre, named a top region in Lonely Planet’s Mac and Wild, Glen Ord Distillery/ Best in Travel 2019, so now this is the Jakub Iwanicki, Richard Elliot, perfect time to visit. Cromarty Arts Trust, Paul Tomkins, istockphoto 20HNH Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Highland News & Media (HNM). Disclaimer APS / VS / HNM have produced and published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted by the proprietors/managers of the businesses listed who have paid for and approved their entries to be included. Although APS / VS / HNM have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, they cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / HNM recommend that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of the business prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other aspects of the business are satisfactory. APS / VS / HNM accept no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / HNM accept no responsibility for the contents of any pages referenced by an external link and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in an external link. APS / VS / HNM also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at January 2020. 2 NORTH HIGHLANDS HIGHLIGHTS ' Enjoy an epic adventure along the 500-mile North Coast 500 driving route, Scotland’s answer to Route 66. Plan your trip at www.northcoast500.com ' Explore nine fantastic snorkelling sites on the North West Highlands Snorkel Trail from An Dun near Gairloch to Bay of Clachtoll near Lochinver and look out for small sea squirts, sponges and even dolphins in the sparkling waters. Don’t miss ' The beautiful and diverse north highlands landscape of Assynt, which features island mountains (or inselbergs), lochs and at a glance moorland as well as Britain’s highest waterfall, Eas a’ Taobh-tuath na Gàidhealtachd Chual Aluinn. Suilven and Loch Druim Suardalain, north west Sutherland aig aon sealladh ' The epic road trip between Locharron and Applecross, which crosses the jaw- The wild beauty of the North Highlands will take your breath away. Think ancient mountains, in memory of Andrew Carnegie who North West Sutherland dropping Bealach na Ba (Pass dramatic coastline and nature reserves teeming with wildlife. Throughout the area, you’ll spent his summers in the area. Explore the true wilderness, history of the Cattle). come across plenty of picturesque towns and great attractions, from ruined cliff-top castles to and geology of the region at the fascinating museums. Here are just some of the brilliant things you can see and do: Caithness and North East North West Highlands Geopark, ' Numerous bird species in Sutherland which includes an excellent visitor the peatland of the RSPB Black Isle, Mid Ross and Wester Ross Mid and East Sutherland Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and centre at Knockan Crag National National Nature Reserve at Easter Ross Spot whales, dolphins and even Discover a wealth of wildlife at the a dram at the Wolfburn Distillery, Nature Reserve. Forsinard Flows, including Explore the picturesque villages of white-tailed sea eagles off the coast Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, “Scotlands first and last mainland the hen harrier, dipper and Absorb the spectacular journey to the Black Isle including Cromarty, by Gairloch. including curlews, shelducks and Whisky distillery”, in Thurso.. greenshank. Cape Wrath Lighthouse, through Avoch such as Fortrose and oystercatchers. The towering grandeur of Torridon’s Soak up the stunning seascapes the Assynt National Scenic Area, ' As you travel north a Rosemarkie. magnificent mountains are an Explore the fairytale Dunrobin Castle, at Dunnet Head, the UK’s and further south see the giant prominent monument Tour Glenmorangie Distillery, Tain awesome sight and include the seat of Clan Sutherland near Golspie. most northerly point, and the peaks of Suilven and Quinag. stands out on Fyrish Hill to to learn how whisky is made or the mighty Beinn Eighe, which features impressive Duncansby Stacks the north, near Alness - the Tee off on the championship golf Take a stroll around the Black Isle Brewery to see the craft two challenging Munros as well as the near John O’Groats. Fyrish Monument built in course at Royal Dornoch or get on atmospheric ruins of Ardvreck involved in brewing organic beer wreck of a Lancaster Bomber aircraft 1782, on the orders of Sir your bike and check out the Kyle Uncover the area’s history and Castle by Loch Assynt. first-hand. that crashed here in 1951. On the Hector Munro, 8th Earl of of Sutherland or Highland Wildcat delve into its rich heritage at the northern side of the mountain is the Stroll along the beaches of Sango Novar. Fantastic views and Look out for dolphins playing off mountain bike trails. Caithness Broch Centre and the the coast at Chanonry Point near UK’s first National Nature Reserve. wonderfully preserved Neolithic near Durness and Achmelvich near well worth the walk. Visit the Timespan Museum and Arts Lochinver for stunning sands and Fortrose, or head to the RSPB Nigg Catch the sweet scent of exotic Grey Cairns of Camster. ' Rogie Falls, near Contin Bay nature reserve to see seals, Centre in Helmsdale for a fascinating rocky formations. blooms at Inverewe Garden and Visit the beautiful Castle and which offers several good wader birds and wildfowl. Explore look into the area’s past. Estate, get up close to nature on a Gardens of Mey, which was the Take a boat trip from Tarbet forest walks. There are the seaboard villages of Balintore, stroll around the estate’s trail paths Pop into Dornoch Cathedral and Scottish residence of the late Queen near Scourie to beautiful Handa plenty of waymarked walks Shandwick and Hilton with their and visit the charming white-washed see the three beautiful stained- Mother. You can even stay there at Island, home to 200,000 seabirds, and seating at a viewpoint stunning coastal walks. house at the centre of the garden. glass windows which were donated the stunning Granary Lodge B&B! including puffins, Arctic terns and overlooking the falls. kittiwakes. VISITSCOTLAND.COM VISITSCOTLAND.COM 4 NORTH HIGHLANDS OU KN Y O D W I ? D The North West Highlands Geopark is home to some of the oldest rocks in the UK w w om w.v .c isitscotland Don’t miss ' The award-winning Gairloch Heritage Museum, an excellent library and resource for tracing your touching family roots in the area. ' Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie, which features the past 15 beautifully carved Pictish Buin ri làthean bho chian Dunrobin Castle, by Golspie stones amongst its exhibits. ' The Tarbat Discovery Centre including Poolewe, where you can Fortrose. The stone and plaque at Portmahomack, a gem of With strong Norse and Pictish connections you really can feel the past around you in the North Pictish and local heritage. Highlands. Absorb the jaw-dropping beauty of ancient landscapes in the North West Highlands see an ancient Pictish stone and commemorate Coinneach Odhar, a Gairloch, which is also home to an 17th century predictor of the future Geopark and uncover the region’s history at museums, castles and visitor centres across the area. ' The numerous WWII remains impressive Pictish stone as well as believed to have been put to death around Loch Ewe, which Follow the Highland Pictish Trail Step back in time at the Timespan the Strathnaver Trail to find the remnants of roundhouses. In at Chanonry Point after foretelling formerly served as a base for and see the mysterious and Museum and Arts Centre in information about Clan Mackay. Assynt, visit Clachtoll broch, which the downfall of the Earl of Seaforth. Russian Arctic Convoys. beautiful carved stones made by Helmsdale, where you’ll learn was recently excavated and is one Pop into the Hugh Miller Birthplace Explore the rich history of places ' Mary Ann’s Cottage near the Pictish people between the 3rd about the area’s history and of the most iconic monuments in Cottage and Museum in Cromarty such as Alness, Applecross, Dunnet, where you’ll find and 9th centuries.