Black Isle, Mid Ross & Easter Ross 

Described as a kindly land, sheltered by the mountains of the West and dominated by the isolated massif of Ben Wyvis, the Black Isle, Mid Ross and Easter Ross have also been called the lowland Highlands, for they present a much greener more fertile landscape than the rest of the Region, especially along the coasts of the long fingers of sea which intersect the area known as the Dornoch, Cromarty and Beauly Firths which penetrate to the very foothills of the North Western Highlands.

The area is renowned for it’s fine farms and picturesque woodlands, particularly the Black Isle which is really a fertile peninsula with a bedrock of Old Red Sandstone. At it’s eastern end like the Tarbat peninsula in Easter Ross it presents wild sea cliffs to the North Sea where as a continuation of the Great Glen or the Highland Boundary Fault it has been sheared abruptly off. Mid Ross is altogether more upland in nature, the Straths are still fertile but their steeply sloping sides rising to the foothills of the Western Highlands and Ben Wyvis are a reminder that this is still very much part of the Highlands.

The climate is milder and drier here and it’s inhabitants largely spared from the curse of the midge. The numerous small towns of Fortrose, Cromarty, Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Strathpeffer, Alness, Invergordon and Tain all have their own individuality and much to offer the visitor who is prepared to explore. Dolphin spotting and boat hire for sea-angling can be had from Cromarty, Avoch or Portmahomack. More information on wildlife including seals and red kites can be gleaned at the North Kessock tourist information centre carpark where there is a close-circuit tv viewing facility but anywhere along the coastal fringes or up the quiet glens and straths can be a rewarding experience for bird and wildlife watchers. Animals and wildlife of a tamer kind can be found at the Black Isle Wildlife & Country Park.

Cromarty is a delightfully small C18th burgh with many fascinating old buildings, and an interesting exhibition in the old Courthouse Museum. The National Trust for Scotland’s has a geological exhibition at nearby Hugh Miller’s Cottage. Dingwall as well as being the old County Town and administrative centre for Ross & Cromarty is home to the main auction market for the Highlands with several livestock sales throughout the week and a furniture auction most Fridays, always an interesting spectacle. It too has an interesting local museum. The Victorian Spa village of Strathpeffer includes the Highland Museum of Childhood and at Rosemarkie, Groam House has a fine display of Pictish Stones. The Storehouse of Foulis superbly sited on the shores of the Cromarty Firth has an excellent restaurant and farmshop as well as a fascinating Clan Exhibition in the Old Storehouse itself. Tain through Time explains the story of this once important place of pilgimage and Scotland’s oldest Royal burgh whilst the Tarbat Discovery Centre at Portmahomack has an exhibition based on the findings of a recent and important archaeological dig.

Three local distilleries can be visited. Glen Ord at Muir of Ord, Dalmore at Alness and Glenmorangie at Tain. All have visitor centres and provide a fascinating insight into this vitally important Scottish industry and there is always an opportunity to sample the product. Walks for all abilities abound throughout the area and there are many fascinating experiences to be had that are little known outwith their locality such as the spectacular Blackrock Gorge at Evanton, the fossils at Eathie on the Black Isle, the salmon leap at the Rogie Falls, Garve or the fish ladder at the Orrin Dam, Strathconan.

The area is within easy reach of many historical landmarks including Culloden Battlefield, other fascinating Castles such as Dunrobin Castle (Sutherland), Cawdor Castle (Campbell) and the Castle of Mey (Sinclair and former home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother). Wonderful gardens can be found at The National Trust Inverewe, Cawdor Gardens, Attadale, Speyside Heather Centre and the Floral Gardens in Inverness in addition to many private grounds which are open from time to time throughout the summer.

Golf Courses abound from the world famous links at Dornoch and Nairn to the less well known but equally challenging courses at Brora, Tain, Invergordon, Alness, Strathpeffer, Muir of Ord and Fortrose all within a short drive. Many sporting opportunities are also available locally with riding, shooting, stalking and fishing on neighbouring estates.

Whilst Inverness (which sports a theatre and cinema complex), Dingwall, Strathpeffer, Beauly, Tain, Rosemarkie and many of the small towns and villages offer a wide range of shopping experience and opportunities to eat out.