2018-19 EXPLORE north highlands Taobh-tuath na Gàidhealtachd visitscotland.com Project14 3/8/17 09:39 Page 1 WELCOME TO NORTH HIGHLANDS 1 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 Young People 2018 16 What’s on 18 Travel tips 20 Practical information 24 Places to visit listings 40 Display adverts 29 Leisure activities listings 49 Display adverts 31 Shopping listings 50 Display adverts 32 Food & drink listings Duncansby Head seas stacks by John O’Groats 52 Display adverts 33 Tours listings Explore the epic landscapes of the North Highlands, filled with spectacular 53 Display adverts mountains, deep lochs, sandy beaches and rugged coastal cliffs offering 35 Transport listings sweeping views of the sea. Circled by the North Coast 500 driving route 58 Display adverts (Scotland’s answer to Route 66), the area is rich 35 Accommodation listings in history with castles, ancient archaeological 60 Display adverts sites, museums, heritage centres and more. 68 Regional map 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 fantastic local produce, beers and whiskies during your visit. Throughout 2018, the Year of Young People will showcase Scotland’s creative youth, and open up a variety of events, festivals and activities for the whole family to get involved in. Cover: Stac Pollaidh, north west of Ullapool Credits: ©VisitScotland. Kenny Lam, Paul Tomkins, hardyuno/istockphoto, Graeme Purdy/istockphoto, Scottish Provincial Press, Richard Elliot, Neil McIntyre 18HNH Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Scottish Provincial Press (SPP). Disclaimer APS / VS / SPP 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 / SPP have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / SPP recommends 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 / SPP accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / SPP 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 2018. 2 NORTH HIGHLANDS north highlands AT A GLANCE Taobh-tuath na Gàidhealtachd Suilven and Loch aig aon sealladh Druim Suardalain The wild beauty of the North Highlands will take your breath away. Think ancient mountains, dramatic coastline and nature reserves teeming with wildlife. Throughout the area, you’ll come across plenty of picturesque towns and great attractions, from ruined cliff-top castles to fascinating museums. Here are just some of the brilliant things you can see and do: Black Isle, Mid Ross and The towering grandeur of including curlews, shelducks and Easter Ross Torridon’s magnificent mountains oystercatchers. are an awesome sight and include Explore the picturesque villages of Explore the fairytale Dunrobin Castle, the mighty Beinn Eighe, which the Black Isle, such as Fortrose and seat of Clan Sutherland near Golspie. Rosemarkie. features two challenging Munros as well as the wreck of a Lancaster Tee off on the championship golf Tour Glenmorangie Distillery to Bomber aircraft that crashed here course at Royal Dornoch or get on learn how whisky is made or the in 1951. On the northern side of the your bike and check out the Kyle Black Isle Brewery to see the craft mountain is the UK’s first National of Sutherland or Highland Wildcat involved in brewing organic beer Nature Reserve. mountain bike trails. first-hand. Catch the sweet scent of exotic Visit the Timespan Museum and Look out for dolphins playing off blooms at Inverewe Garden and Arts Centre in Helmsdale for a the coast at Chanonry Point near Estate, get up close to nature on a fascinating look into the area’s Fortrose, or head to the RSPB Nigg stroll around the estate’s trail paths past. Bay nature reserve to see seals, and visit the charming white-washed wader birds and wildfowl. Pop into Dornoch Cathedral and house at the centre of the garden. see the three beautiful stained- Wester Ross Mid and East Sutherland glass windows which were donated Spot whales, dolphins and even Discover a wealth of wildlife at the in memory of Andrew Carnegie who white-tailed sea eagles off the coast Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, spent his summers in the area. by Gairloch. VISITSCOTLAND.COM NORTH HIGHLANDS AT A GLANCE 3 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 landscape of Assynt, which features island mountains Balnakeil Beach near Durness (or inselbergs), lochs and moorland as well as Britain’s highest waterfall, Caithness and North East North West Sutherland Eas a’ Chual Aluinn. Sutherland Explore the true wilderness, history Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour and and geology of the region at the The epic road trip between a dram at Old Pulteney Distillery North West Highlands Geopark, Locharron and Applecross, in Wick. which includes an excellent visitor which crosses the jaw- centre at Knockan Crag National dropping Bealach na Ba Soak up the stunning seascapes Nature Reserve. (Pass of the Cattle). at Dunnet Head, the UK’s most northerly point, and the impressive Absorb the spectacular journey to Numerous bird species in Duncansby Stacks near John Cape Wrath Lighthouse, through the peatland of the RSPB O’Groats. the Assynt National Scenic Area, National Nature Reserve at and further south see the giant Forsinard Flows, including Uncover the area’s history and peaks of Suilven and Quinag. the hen harrier, dipper and geological importance at Caithness greenshank. Horizons in Thurso and delve into Visit the ruins of Ardvreck Castle on its rich heritage at the Caithness the banks of Loch Assynt. As you travel north a Broch Centre and the wonderfully prominent monument Stroll along the beaches of Sango preserved Neolithic Grey Cairns of stands out on Fyrish Hill to near Durness and Achmelvich near Camster. the north, near Alness - the Lochinver for stunning sands and Fyrish Monument built in Visit the beautiful Castle and rocky formations. 1782, on the orders of Sir Gardens of Mey, which was the Take a boat trip from Tarbet near Hector Munro, 8th Earl of Scottish residence of the late Scourie to beautiful Handa Island, Novar. Fantastic views and Queen Mother. home to 200,000 seabirds, including well worth the walk. puffins, Arctic terns and kittiwakes. VISITSCOTLAND.COM 4 NORTH HIGHLANDS TOUCHING THE PAST Buin ri làthean bho chian With strong Norse and Pictish connections you really can feel the past around you in the North Highlands. Absorb the jaw-dropping beauty of ancient landscapes in the North West Highlands Geopark and uncover the region’s history at museums, castles and visitor centres across the area. Follow the Highland Pictish Trail Clearances. Ruined crofts and a more about its history you’ll love a and see the mysterious and monument to the villagers are all visit to the Clan Gunn Museum at beautiful carved stones made by that remain of this once vibrant Latheron which tracks the clan’s the Pictish people between the 3rd community. story from its Norse origins through and 9th centuries. to the present day. Step back in time at the Timespan Head for Tain, one of Scotland’s Museum and Arts Centre in Visit the Strathnaver Museum to oldest Royal Burghs, and visit the Helmsdale, where you’ll learn see curious historic items which Tain Through Time museum for a about the area’s history and bring the area to life and follow fascinating glimpse into the Burgh’s geology as you wander around the the Strathnaver Trail to find history. croft, smithy and byre. information about Clan Mackay. Enjoy a scenic hike through the Watch birds of prey soaring Pop into the Hugh Miller Birthplace dramatic limestone valley in Assynt over the beautiful gardens at Cottage and Museum and learn and discover the Inchnadamph Dunrobin Castle on daily flying about the life of this brilliant 19th Bone Caves, where the ancient demonstrations and explore the century geologist, writer and folk remains of species such as lynx and castle and the castle museum to historian. polar bear have been found. see fascinating items including Learn about the booming 19th 1,500-year-old Pictish stones. Visit the abandoned settlement century herring fishing industry at of Badbea, one of many villages Whether you’re a member of Clan the Wick Heritage Centre, Waterlines which fell victim to the Highland Gunn or you just want to learn a bit Visitor Centre and Ullapool Museum.