GOLF
Tain, Portmahomack,(9) Invergordon, Bonar Bridge,(9)
Royal Dornoch, Golspie and
Brora are all within 30 minutes driving time and all offer pre-book tee times. Portmahomack and Bonar Bridge are generally walk-on but you should always call ahead.
Telephone Numbers:
Tain 01862893313
Invergordon 01349852715
Bonar Bridge 01863766199
Royal Dornoch 01862810219
Golspie 01408633266
Brora 01408621417
WALKINGThere are literally dozens of fantastic easy forest walks within 30 minutes drive. See the leaflets for details. Using the OS map posted in the playroom you can also take a lovely walk to the Geanies shore line. About 20 minutes walk from the house takes you onto the north shore of the Moray Firth. Feeling energetic, head left as you face the sea (approximately east) and about 2 miles on the shore you come to Rockfield. The village that time forgot. Another 2 miles on the road takes you to
Portmahomack where you can lunch at The Caledonian, The Oystercatcher or The Castle and then make the return trip either in reverse or by road.
If you turn right at the shore you have about a 3 mile walk to Hilton, Balintore and Shandwick. Again lunch at either the Balintore Hotel or the Seaboard Hall Café.
TOURING
You are about a 2 hour drive from John o’Groats, probably the least attractive place in the north. However there are some fantastic drives to the north and west all easily completed as circular trips in one day. For example follow the A9 north to Wick, carry on to John o’Groats and continue along the north coast to Thurso. Stop at the Castle of Mey and visit the late Queen Mother’s favourite residence. At Melvich you can cut back to Helmsdale via the Strath of Kildonnan and do some panning for gold at the scene of Scotland’s only gold rush.
Time Span in Helmsdale is well worth a visit as are the steps of Whaligoe a couple of miles north of Lybster. You need to be reasonably fit to tackle the steps. You also pass Dunrobin Castle just north of Golspie, open to the public during summer months.
Similar circular routes spread out to the north and north-west taking in places like Lochinver, Tongue, Kylesku, Scourie, Rhiconich. Kinlochbervie, Sandwood Bay, Drumbeg, Ullapool, Gairloch, Aultbea, Plockton, Kinlochewe, Torridon, Lochcarron, Kyle of Lochalsh and the bridge to Skye. See the leaflets for details of where to go and what to do on these routes.
PICTISH AND HISTORIC SITESSites, exhibitions and Pictish standing stones exist at Portmahomack, Hilton of Cadboll, Shandwick,
Nigg and Edderton, all within a 20 minute drive.
Fearn Abbey, dating from the 11th century and the Tain Through Time town walk are well worth a visit to get a feel for the history of the area.
LOCAL PLACES TO EATWe’ve left a couple of take away menus with the leaflets of places we have used and recommend.
In addition we would recommend the following restaurants;
Greens at the Golf Club, Tain.(non members welcome) 01826892314
Fearn Hotel, 01862832234
Morangie House Hotel, Tain
Carnegie Lodge, Tain 01862894039
The Royal Hotel, Tain 01862892013
The Oystercatcher, Portmahomack 01862871560
Delny House Hotel 01862842678
Kincraig House Hotel 01349852587
Shandwick Inn (Pub grub)01862842250
Glenmorangie Cadboll House,