Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Thomas K

Easter Ross is full of history and romance - an area blessed with a fabulous pictish past, unsurpassed views from the Fyrish monument and seals basking along the shoreline.

You could easily spend a few days visiting the fascinating seaboard villages, following the Pictish Trail and drinking in the scenery whilst sipping a glass of the local Glenmorangie whisky.

The area contains a little over 4000 dwellings which are home to just over 9000 residents. The majority of the Easter Ross population lives in the three towns of Alness, Invergordon and Tain which are all located along the A9 corridor between the Cromarty Bridge and the Dornoch Bridge.

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

Visiting Easter Ross & Black Isle for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Easter Ross & Black Isle on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

This website uses affiliate links which earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

More from this area

1 Best places to See in Easter Ross & Black Isle

This complete guide to Easter Ross & Black Isle not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Easter Ross & Black Isle and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

1. Fortrose Cathedral

Fortrose Cathedral
Fortrose Cathedral
CC BY-SA 4.0 / DeFacto
Fortrose Cathedral is a roofless medieval cathedral ruin, once the seat of the Diocese of Ross and a major religious centre from the early 1200s. What survives is intimate rather than grand: the chapter house with its stone vaulting and the south aisle of the nave, both built in warm red sandstone that catches the light. Information boards and visible foundation lines help you picture the larger complex that was later dismantled in the 17th century, when its stone was taken for Cromwell’s works. Set in a quiet green square with mown grass paths, it feels peaceful and contemplative, with memorial stones and carved Gothic window details still easy to linger over.
Visiting Fortrose Cathedral

Here is a complete selection of hotel options in Easter Ross & Black Isle. Feel free to review each one and choose the stay that best suits your needs.

Best Day Trips from Easter Ross & Black Isle

A day trip from Easter Ross & Black Isle offers the perfect opportunity to escape the urban rhythm and discover the surrounding region's charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic countryside, historic villages, or cultural landmarks, the area around Easter Ross & Black Isle provides a variety of easy-to-reach destinations ideal for a one-day itinerary.

1. Fairy Glen Falls

Waterfall in Fairy Glen
Waterfall in Fairy Glen
CC BY-SA 2.0 / David Maclennan
Fairy Glen Falls is a woodland waterfall walk in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, just outside Rosemarkie. It is a small nature reserve where a stream cuts through a steep-sided glen of oak, ash, and birch, with footpaths leading past two waterfalls.The place is best known for its short, atmospheric walk rather than a big viewpoint. Visitors usually notice…
| Website | Distance: 6.5km
Visiting Fairy Glen Falls

Traveling to a country with a different currency? Avoid ATM transaction fees and pay in local currency with a Wise Card. Having used it for over 5 years, we've saved loads on fees!

2. Chanonry Point

Chanonry Point
Chanonry Point
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Shirehorse
Chanonry Point is a coastal wildlife viewpoint in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, set on the narrow strip of land between Fortrose and Rosemarkie. It is best known as a place to watch bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth, with the lighthouse, rocky shoreline, and tidal waters giving visitors a clear line of sight across the narrows.The point appeals…
Visiting Chanonry Point

3. Udale Bay

Udale Bay is in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, and is a small coastal wildlife attraction centred on a tidal bay and an RSPB viewing hide. The area looks out over mudflats and shallow water that change with the tide, drawing birdlife through the year.The bay is most active in autumn and winter, when waders, ducks and geese gather…
Visiting Udale Bay

4. Inverness

Inverness pano
Inverness pano
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Avarim
Inverness meaning "Mouth of the River Ness" is a city in the Scottish Highlands. Inverness attracts visitors from across the world for its natural landscapes, quaint towns, medieval ruins, and prehistoric sites. Located in the Scottish Highlands, it’s a great place for nature lovers looking to explore its vast landscape. There are many hiking and cycling trails of various lengths…
Visiting Inverness
Powered by GetYourGuide

5. Dingwall

Dingwall
Dingwall
© Peter Reynolds
Dingwall Museum in Dingwall, Easter Ross and Black Isle, is a small local history museum housed in the old council chambers. It gives a compact overview of the town’s past, with displays that follow Dingwall from its Viking beginnings through its days as a royal burgh.Inside, visitors can expect artifacts, documents, clan material, and exhibits connected to Dingwall Castle, Tulloch…
Visiting Dingwall

6. Fyrish Monument

Fyrish Monument snow
Fyrish Monument snow
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Astonmartini
Fyrish Monument is a hilltop attraction above Evanton in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland. The monument was built in 1782 by Sir Hector Munro and reached by a footpath that climbs through woodland and open hillside before the stone arches come into view near the top.The site matters as both a landscape landmark and a reminder of local Highland…
Visiting Fyrish Monument

7. Tollie Red Kites RSPB Visitor Centre

Tollie Red Kite feeding centre
Tollie Red Kite feeding centre
CC BY-SA 2.0 / sylvia duckworth
Tollie Red Kites RSPB Visitor Centre in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, is a wildlife-watching site where visitors can observe red kites in a managed hillside setting. It sits on the Brahan Estate near Dingwall, with open views across the surrounding countryside toward Ben Wyvis. The main draw is the afternoon feeding session, when the kites gather overhead and…
| Hours: Visitor centre open from 9am-5pm; access to outdoor viewing screens at all times; Feeding times: daily at 2.30pm in summer and 1.30pm in winter (Feeding times change when the clocks change). | Distance: 15.9km
Visiting Tollie Red Kites RSPB Visitor Centre

8. Hugh Millers Cottage, Cromarty

Hugh Millers Cottage
Hugh Millers Cottage
CC BY-SA 2.0 / ronnie leask
Hugh Miller’s Cottage in Cromarty, in Easter Ross and the Black Isle, is a small heritage attraction made up of the 17th-century thatched Birthplace Cottage and the adjoining Miller House museum. It tells the story of Hugh Miller, who was born here in 1802 and went on to become a geologist, writer, folklorist and campaigner for social justice.Visitors can see…
| Hours: Open daily 12-5pm April - September; Saturday-Monday in October | Distance: 16.5km
Visiting Hugh Millers Cottage, Cromarty

9. South Sutor walk

South Sutor walk in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, is a coastal woodland walk above Cromarty. It begins in the historic town and climbs to a viewpoint over the Cromarty Firth, with a route that mixes tree cover, open ground and short steep sections.The walk is known for its wide views, seasonal wildflowers and the remains of wartime defences…
Visiting South Sutor walk

10. Nigg Old Church

Nigg Old Church in Easter Ross, Scotland, is a small parish church and historic visitor stop best known for the carved Nigg cross slab kept inside. It sits in a quiet rural setting on the Tarbat Peninsula, where the approach is part of the experience: narrow local roads, open fields and a churchyard that feels well removed from busier tourist…
Location: Nigg Stone Nigg Tain IV19 1QR United Kingdom | Hours: Church open 10am-5pm, April - October. | Distance: 20.7km
Visiting Nigg Old Church

11. Nigg Bay Nature Reserve

Nigg Bay Nature Reserve is in Easter Ross, Scotland, and is a coastal birdwatching reserve on the Cromarty Firth. Its mudflats, saltmarsh and wetland edges attract large numbers of birds across the year, with a viewing hide giving visitors a clear place to watch the bay.The reserve matters because it sits on a major migration route and regularly holds waders,…
| Hours: RSPB Nigg Bay Tain IV19 1PG United Kingdom | Distance: 21.9km
Visiting Nigg Bay Nature Reserve

12. Rogie Falls

Rogie Falls
Rogie Falls
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Andrew Wood
Rogie Falls in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, is a woodland waterfall attraction on the Blackwater River near Contin. Short, marked trails lead from the car park through pine and birch forest to a series of cascades and a suspension bridge above the river.The visit is straightforward and usually takes under an hour, though longer if you stop for…
Visiting Rogie Falls

13. Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve

An Cabar cairn on Ben Wyvis
An Cabar cairn on Ben Wyvis
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Ian Stewart
Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, is a Highland mountain reserve built around the broad Munro that dominates the skyline above Garve. It is best known for its main hillwalk, which begins from the A835 and climbs through woodland, open moor, and onto a long summit ridge.The reserve matters as much for its fragile…
Visiting Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve

14. Ledmore and Migdale Wood

Ledmore and Migdale Wood in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, is a woodland reserve near Bonar Bridge with trails through ancient oak and Scots pine in a Highland glen. The area includes rocky outcrops, heather moorland, burns and views towards Loch Migdale, making it a practical stop for walkers and nature watchers who want an outdoor visit rather than…
Location: Ledmore & Migdale Ardgay IV24 3AE United Kingdom | Distance: 35.1km
Visiting Ledmore and Migdale Wood

15. Dornoch

Dornoch beach
Dornoch beach
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Neil Aitkenhead
Dornoch is a town, seaside resort, parish and former royal burgh in the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. It lies on the north shore of the Dornoch Firth, near to where it opens into the Moray Firth to the east. The name 'Dornoch' is derived from the Gaelic for 'pebbly place', suggesting that the area contained pebbles…
Visiting Dornoch

16. Embo Beach

Embo beach
Embo beach
CC BY-SA 3.0 / jeminar
Embo Beach in Easter Ross and the Black Isle, Scotland, is a long sandy beach on the northeast coast near the village of Embo. It is an open, low-key coastal attraction with broad sand, shallow water and a large dune system behind the shore.The beach is best known for its calm setting and its wildlife value. Visitors usually notice the…
Location: Embo Beach(Embo Sands/Coul Links) Dornoch United Kingdom | Distance: 40.1km
Visiting Embo Beach

17. Skelbo Castle

Skelbo Castle
Skelbo Castle
CC BY-SA 3.0 / StaraBlazkova
Skelbo Castle in Sutherland, Scotland, is a ruined medieval fortress above Loch Fleet, just north of Dornoch. The castle sits on a high, exposed bank where the ground falls away toward the tidal estuary, and visitors mainly come for the setting as much as the stone remains. What survives is fragmentary, with wall lines and enclosure edges that still show…
Location: Skelbo Castle, Dornoch, UK | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 41.3km
Visiting Skelbo Castle

18. Tarbat Ness Lighthouse

Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Thomas K
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, is a coastal lighthouse attraction at the far end of the Tarbat Ness peninsula near Portmahomack. The tall white tower, marked with red bands, stands on an exposed headland above the Moray Firth and is reached by minor roads and a short walk from the parking area.The lighthouse dates from…
Location: Tarbat Ness Lighthouse, Tain, UK | Distance: 42km
Visiting Tarbat Ness Lighthouse

19. Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve

Upper Loch Fleet
Upper Loch Fleet
CC BY-SA 2.0 / John Allan
Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve is in Easter Ross and the Black Isle, Scotland, near Golspie. It is a coastal nature reserve where tidal waters, sandbanks, saltmarsh, dunes and Scots pine woodland meet in one compact landscape. Visitors usually come here for the wildlife and the quiet setting rather than for formal facilities or a long itinerary.The reserve is known…
Visiting Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve

20. Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle Sutherland Scotland
Dunrobin Castle Sutherland Scotland
CC BY-SA 2.0 / jack_spellingbacon
Dunrobin Castle in Sutherland, Scotland, is a castle and garden attraction on the east coast just north of Golspie. Its pale stone walls, pointed turrets, and formal terraces make it stand out as soon as you approach from the A9 or the village side. The setting looks over the Moray Firth, so the building and the landscape are part of…
Location: Dunrobin, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6SF | Hours: 1 April – 30 September: Daily: 10:00-17:30; 1 October – 31 October: Daily: 10:30-17:00. Closed: 1 November – 31 March. | Price: Adult (17+) £16; Concession £14; Child (6+) £10; Family £47; under 6s free. | Website | Distance: 48.9km
Visiting Dunrobin Castle

21. Brora to Golspie Coastal Walk

Scotland Carn Liath Broch 3
Scotland Carn Liath Broch 3
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wojsyl
The Brora to Golspie Coastal Walk in Easter Ross & Black Isle, Scotland, is a signposted shoreline route between the two villages. It follows the coast past beaches, dunes, field edges and rocky sections, starting near Brora’s harbour and finishing in Golspie. The walk is around 6 miles, though the exact distance depends on the line you take, and it…
Visiting Brora to Golspie Coastal Walk

22. Sutherland

Sandwood Bay
Sandwood Bay
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Phillyacct
Experience the most incredible landscapes and seascapes. Sutherland makes up a large part of the North Coast 500, and will leave a lasting memory too. From the dramatic north-western scenery, where the mountains meet the sea, to the varied lands of the east – with scattered fishing communities, award winning golf courses, fairy tale castles, archaeological wonders and quaint harbours.…
Visiting Sutherland
Powered by GetYourGuide

23. Isle of Skye

Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye
Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye
Visiting the Isle of Skye is a journey into the heart of Scotland's breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. From its rugged coastline to its mist-shrouded mountains, Skye captivates visitors with its dramatic landscapes and ancient history. The largest of the Inner Hebrides, it's home to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous…
Visiting Isle of Skye
Powered by GetYourGuide

Where to Stay in Easter Ross & Black Isle

The best place to stay is in Tain or Cromarty, where charming inns and guesthouses provide access to whisky distilleries, scenic coastline, and dolphin-watching tours. Rural retreats in the countryside offer a secluded and peaceful Highland experience.

A 2 to 3-day stay is ideal for visiting castles, nature reserves, and distilleries. A 4-day stay allows for exploring more of the North Coast 500 and taking scenic drives through the Highlands.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Easter Ross & Black Isle. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Easter Ross & Black Isle Accommodation Map

More from this area