Beauly Firth Loop Cover
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What to look out for: This lovely route round the Beauly Iron Age crannogs and fish traps Firth covers 26 miles on a Cycle the A crannog is a small artificial island which was used as a mixture of quiet single dwelling, a workplace for tanning and butchery or as a place of safety. Some had underwater track roads and busier causeways. The Beauly Firth roads, with lots to see Beauly Firth has four of Scotland’s ten marine crannogs, dating back from the saddle: to the Iron Age. They are clearly visible at low tide. Ben Wyvis and the Beauly Firth Loop A fish trap is a stone structure Seals, herons, red kites, geese… designed to catch fish as the tide goes out. Look out for the the curving lines of stones at low tide. maybe even an otter or an osprey 26 beautiful miles Crannogs and fish traps Wonderful wildlife There’s rich birdlife on the Firth all year round. Autumn and Big big trees winter bring waders and wildfowl, spring sees the return of many Historic buildings, lovely villages migratory species and in summer you might see an osprey. There are red Wonderful sea and mountain views kites and herons galore, and sometimes peregrines. You might Excellent places to stop for refuelling! also see (and hear!) seals on the Seal pup mudflats, dolphins near North Kessock, and the elusive otter. There’s something to enjoy at any time of History all around you year. For the best chance of spotting wild- The castle at Redcastle dates from the 12th Century and has had many occupants, from royalty to RAF troops during WW2. The life and the archaeological features, go lovely Beauly Priory dates from the 13th Century and Wardlaw round at low tide. Mausoleum from the 17th Century. The Far North Railway Line was completed in 1874 - look out for old station buildings of red Cuairt Linne Fharair 20 Beauly Firth Loop sandstone from across the water at Tarradale. Combine bike and train at Inverness, Great food and drink Beauly or Muir of Ord. Book your bike For anything from coffee and cake to a full meal, there’s a great at ScotRail 0344 811 0141. choice of cafes and hotels in Beauly, Muir of Ord and North Try the 6 mile family-friendly quiet Kessock and of course in Inverness itself. section right by the water from For more information, visit: black-isle.info/cycling northcoast500.com North Kessock to Redcastle. Muir Invernessbid.co.uk ambaile.org.uk There are off-road options too, and Black Isle Nature tidetimes.org.uk/inverness-tide-times of Ord Discover the Black Isle hitrans.org.uk/hitravel connections to other great cycle routes. Redcastle North Kessock More information at: B e Kessock Beauly a u l Bridge www.black-isle.info/cycling y F i r t h Kirkhill Inverness Redcastle Bunchrew Photographs: © Gary Williamson; © Charlie Phillips; © Julian Paren Inchmore.