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A mini guide to
The Black Isle & Easter Ross: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Watch dolphins on the tide
Dolphins are often visible off Chanonry Point on an incoming tide, and the car park can be busy in summer.
The lighthouse grounds are private
The Chanonry Point lighthouse grounds are private, so keep to the beach and path.
See the Pictish stones
Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie, Tarbat Discovery Centre at Portmahomack and the Shandwick Stone make a Pictish route.
Combine distilleries by car
Glenmorangie at Tain and Balblair at Edderton are close together. Check each distillery's website for tours and booking.
Check the museum is open
Cromarty Museum and some small museums keep seasonal hours. Check each website before you go.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is The Black Isle & Easter Ross?
The Black Isle & Easter Ross is in Highland, Scotland. A peninsula of Pictish stones, Cromarty and dolphin-watching, with whisky country to the north. Nearby stops and stations include Inverness, Dingwall, Tain.
How long do I need in The Black Isle & Easter Ross?
One to two days from Inverness. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Chanonry Point, Fortrose Cathedral, Groam House Museum. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Inverness (Rail and coach hub); Dingwall (Rail); Tain (Rail); Black Isle by road (Car). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 6 places to eat and drink in and around The Black Isle & Easter Ross, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 6 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is The Black Isle & Easter Ross accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in The Black Isle & Easter Ross
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Cromarty Courthouse Museum
Category A listed 18th-century courthouse on Church Street, now Cromarty Museum, which keeps seasonal opening hours.
Hugh Miller's Museum and Cottage
Home of the geologist and writer Hugh Miller in Cromarty, open as a geological museum.
Black Isle Brewery
Organic brewery based at Munlochy on the Black Isle.
The Scottish Highlands
More areas to explore
Inverness & Loch Ness
The Highland capital on the River Ness, with Culloden, Loch Ness and the Moray Firth coast within reach
Open the mini guide →
Fort William, Glencoe & Ben Nevis
Base for Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis, Glencoe and the Glenfinnan railway line
Open the mini guide →
Isle of Skye: Portree & Dunvegan
Harbour town, clan castles and the Cuillin, reached by bridge or ferry
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Groam House Museum: Groam House Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Cromarty Courthouse Museum: Braveheart, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Hugh Miller's Museum and Cottage: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Black Isle Brewery: Bill Harrison, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Inverness & Loch Ness: dave conner from Inverness, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, source
- Fort William, Glencoe & Ben Nevis: Viewfinder at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Isle of Skye: Portree & Dunvegan: Lauwz The Kiwistralian, CC0, source
- The Cairngorms: Aviemore & Grantown-on-Spey: dave conner, CC BY 2.0, source
- Oban, Argyll & the Mull ferry: Mike Hudson, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Scottish Highlands