Places to Visit within easy reach of Dornoch

Dornoch has very good roads, and an abundance of places to enjoy on a day out. You can visit Loch Fleet Nature Reserve with its beautiful myriad of birds, where if you are early enough in the morning, you can observe the rare species nestling on the rocks ... a great photographic opportunity!

Take a trip to the town of Ullapool with its interesting selection of highland shops, and watch the ferry make its daily visitway to Stornoway . Then off to Wick, a busy town with plenty of activity going on. Perhaps you would enjoy a trip to John O Groats, the furthermost point in Scotland, a visit definitely not to be missed. If you leave early enough in the morning, you can make a day trip to the Island of Skye by a short passenger ferry crossing, and admire the lovely scenery en route w

You can also take the ferry over to the Orkney Islands. This area has an abundance of wildlife with rare sea birds, seals, marine life, and you might just get a glimpse of dolphins in the area.

Take a trip to Inverness; it is only a forty minute drive, and you can then observe the beauty of the area by taking one of the boat trips out on to the loch. You might just be lucky and spot Nessie, the famous Loch Ness monster!

The history of the highlands is legendary; you can visit the old Croick Church on the Rogart Road in Dornoch, to see this haunting old church and its carvings from the time of the highland clearances. Visit too the standing stones, brochs, castles and museums the area has to offer; it is rich in culture and abundant history, and of tales steeped in highland folklore.

Further along the road, the Falls of Shin make a nice day out, with a visit to the salmon leap waterfalls, to observe the tumbling fish as they leap into the air. Alternatively, visit the nearby Harrods shop, with its great selection of gifts and souvenirs, and enjoy a nice meal at their coffee shop, open all year.

In Dornoch's Cathedral Square on a Saturday night at around 7.30 the Dornoch Pipe Band gathers and entertains for about an hour. A truly uplifting experience.

Dornoch is also a magnet to golfers who travel from all over the world to play at the renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Course.

You can visit the often photographed 13th century lovely pale sandstone buildings, of the Dornoch Cathedral, with its beautiful stained glass windows. Much more recently, Madonna and Guy Ritchie were married at the exclusive Skibo Castle Dornoch, and later their son Rocca was christened at Dornoch Cathedral.

In the summer other events are held in the village, and these are usually posted up outside the tourist office.

A visit to Dingwall is a pleasant afternoon trip, as there is an excellent array of shops, good for last minute shopping.

Finally for the enthusiast, there is cycling/ horse riding/ fishing/ golfing/bird watching/ walking and hill climbing available, just contact us, and we will be glad to help.

Information about this and numerous others trips and events can be found in the tourist folder in the flat.