Local Area
Whatever you are looking for, whether it be eateries, historical places to visit, wildlife photography spots, walks, bike rides, distilleries and breweries, wild swimming, local crafts, community groups, castles and much more, here are some of the best places to visit within a 50 mile radius of Bothan a' Bhuachaille. Just click on a photo for more information.
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- The first stage of the John O' Groats Trail goes from Inverness across the Black Isle and through Munlochy
- Munlochy Bay Shoreline. A Birdwatcher's Paradise
- Sun Dog over Munlochy Bay
- Bird's Eye View of Munlochy Bay
If you're keen to see the Bay close up it's an active ramble over uneven ground
- Bird's Eye View of Munlochy
Bothan a Bhuachaille is situated right in the middle of the central greenery
- Munlochy's Bar and Restaurant, The Allangrange
- Sunrise over Munlochy Bay from Forestry Houses
This view can be enjoyed regularly from Bothan a' Bhuachaille
- Clootie Well - Munlochy
Celtic 'holy well' site steeped in history and tradition and just a 0.5 mile walk from Bothan a' Bhuachaille
https://www.explore-inverness.com/what-t - Tore Farm Shop
Amazing selection of groceries, deli items, home-baked goods, hot soup, ice cream and much more
https://www.blackisleberries.co.uk/farm- - Quiet Road to the Black Isle Brewery
Five mile flat walk (there and back) from Munlochy to the Black Isle Brewery which offers daily tours.
Black Isle Brewery - Organic Craft Beers and Daily Tours
- John o' Groats Trail signage
We're about 9 miles from the start of the John o' Groats Trail (Inverness Castle).
- Roskill Old Railway Walk
Until the 1960s the Black Isle had a railway. Now we can walk along the disused railway line.
- Munros Nurseries and Coffee Shop
Just a two mile drive, or a 3.5 mile walk along quiet road and trail
https://www.munros-nurseries.co.uk/ - Agriculture
Munlochy is surrounded by both arable and livestock farming, including Highland cows.
- Secret Loch Swim Spot
Ask us for more details when you arrive! 🤐
- Nice little cafe in North Kessock
- Redcastle Ruins
A low level walk with interesting medieval history. There are also longer, hillier walks in the Redcastle Estate.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/vi Rosehaugh Estate woodland walks, just 3 miles from Munlochy
- Cafe No. 19 - Avoch
Our favourite place for breakfast, cake and coffee, or lunch!
https://www.facebook.com/No.19Avoch/ - Black Isle Runners
Our local running group welcomes visitors for fun, friendly, chatty runs of 3-5 miles
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17715934 - Dolphin Trips Avoch
- Avoch Gospel Hall
- Happy Garden Chinese Takeaway - Avoch
- Avoch and Fortrose from Ormonde Hill
Hill fort with great views. Part of a 3 mile circular walk from Avoch
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochness - Gabi's Tandoori Takeaway - Avoch
Great food!
https://gabistandoori.co.uk/ - Local Walking at Mount Eagle on the Top of the Black Isle
A network of fire trails and paths with views across the Cromarty and Moray Firths.
- Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club
- Coorie Candle Company - Fortrose
Candles and other gift ideas from local makers and a selection of cards and wrap.
https://www.thecooriecompany.com/ - Chanonry Point - best place for dolphin spotting
- IV10 in Fortrose - food inspired by the Black Isle!
- Fortrose Harbour
An idyllic spot for picnics, watching sail boats and sea swimming
- Fortrose Free Church
- Harbour Lane Studio - Fortrose
Gorgeous homeware and gifts. Curated UK-made pieces and signature lampshades by Illustrator Tori Gray
https://www.harbourlane.com/collections/ - Fortrose Harbour Sunset
- Bakhoos Bakery - Fortrose
Specialising in sourdough bread, Viennoiserie, cakes and speciality coffee
https://www.bakhoosbakery.com/ - Sea Swimming at Rosemarkie Beach
Join Black Isle Sea Swimmers for local meet ups
https://www.facebook.com/groups/10272168 - Rosemarkie Beach Cafe
Great toasties, cakes and more
https://www.facebook.com/rosemarkiebeach - Rosemarkie Beach
Long sandy beach for walking, running, (even barefoot!) and dolphin spotting
- Fairy Glen Walk - Rosemarkie
2.5 mile (there and back) trail walk to the waterfalls. Can be muddy after wet weather.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserve - Great local Mountain-biking
From Landrover tracks to technical trails, we've lots of insider knowledge to share if you're keen.
- Learnie Red Rock Mountain Bike Trails
Between Rosemarkie and Cromarty is 16kms of quality trails for all skill levels.
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/l - Church of Scotland - Rosemarkie
- Path to Rosemarkie Caves
A lovely alternative to walking on the sandy beach. The first cave is about 1 mile from Rosemarkie.
http://www.spanglefish.com/RosemarkieCav - Cromarty Bakery - Fortrose and Cromarty
First class bread, cakes and pastries
http://www.spanglefish.com/CromartyBaker - Cromarty Pottery - wonderfully quirky designs
- EcoVentures - sealife boat tour - Cromarty
- See Oil Rigs Up Close in the Cromarty Firth
- 'Happy Chappy' - Cromarty Brewing Company's most popular pale ale
- Cromarty Firth Oil Rigs
You can enjoy this view as you drive to Cromarty, a scenic village with much to explore on the northern tip of the Black Isle
https://www.black-isle.info/Cromarty - Cromarty Courthouse Museum
Fascinating story of an 18th century courthouse and jail, complete with cells, prisoners and active court cases
https://www.cromarty-courthouse.org.uk/v - Gallery 48 - Cromarty
Unusual and high quality gifts, cards, textiles, woollens, ornament, jewellery, paintings and prints.
https://www.gallery48.scot/ - Hugh Miller's Cottage
Birthplace of inspirational geologist, folklorist, writer and fossil hunter.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/hugh - Cromarty Arts Trust
Promoting the arts, education, environment, history of the Highlands & the conservation of buildings of historical & architectural interest.
https://www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk/ - Ingrid's House
Beautiful things of Scandi design. A special retail therapy experience.
https://www.ingridshouse.co.uk/ - MacFarquhar's Bed, walk near Cromarty
One of several interesting geological and/or historical walks from the village
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A% - Sutor's Creek Eaterie in Cromarty
Famous for great pizza, but there's so much more on offer!
https://www.sutorcreek.co.uk/ - View of North Sutor from South Sutor, Cromarty
Another great local hill walk.
https://gillianswalks.com/2023/02/16/sou - Highland Boutique in Cromarty
- Fishertown Inn - Cromarty
- Bad Girl Bakery - award winning cafe in Muir of Ord
- The Potter's House - Muir of Ord
Pottery painting, wheel sessions, clay workshops & more
https://thepottershouse.scot/ - Muir of Ord Bike Shop
- Strathpuffer 24 MTB Endurance Event
Held in January each year in Contin Forest
https://strathpuffer.co.uk/ - Glen Ord Distillery - Muir of Ord
Whisky tours, shopping, lunch, drinks.
https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries Breakfast, coffee & cake, lunch, deli delights, you name it, it's here.
https://www.corneronthesquare.co/- The Old School - Beauly
A shopping extravaganza!
https://oldschoolbeauly.com/ - Downright Gabbler - "Tasting History" - Beauly
For an extra special treat - a unique dining experience
https://downrightgabbler.co.uk/ - Cafe Biagotti - Beauly
- Urquhart Castle - Loch Ness
Near Drumnadrochit, this iconic castle is steeped in clan history from the13th century onwards.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/vis - Loch Ness
Walk along the banks, stroll pebble beach at Dores, swim or view the loch from above on the Great Glen Way or South Loch Ness Trail.
- Meall Fuar Mhonaidh - overlooking Loch Ness
Near Drumnadrochit, this 5.5 mile hill walk also offers great views to the west coast mountains
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fionas/m - Deli in the Square - Strathpeffer
- Wild Gorse Kitchen - Belladrum
Seasonal soups, coffee and cakes
https://www.facebook.com/wildgorsekitche - Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Just 14 miles away from us
https://tartanheartfestival.com/ - Whiskys and Gins - Dingwall
GlenWyvis is a pioneer of sustainable distilling and the first ever 100% community-owned distillery.
https://glenwyvis.com/ - Loch and Sea Kayaking and Canoeing in abundance!
- Highland Farm Cafe outside Dingwall
Stunning views & superb food just off the NC500. A perfect cycle stop for LEJOG and JOGLE riders.
https://highlandfarmcafe.co.uk/ - The Storehouse Restaurant
A great eaterie and retail experience just over the Cromarty Bridge.
https://thestorehouse.scot/ - Fyrish Monument
Three mile hill walk with superb views of the Cromarty Firth
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ullapool - Friendly neighbours
A secret hill walk where this is a daily occurrence. Details when you arrive!
- Brocken Spectre at the top of Ben Wyvis
Our closest Munro, standing at 3432 feet.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/munros/b - Ardross Castle - aka Traitor's Castle!
Featured on the hit TV series 'Traitors'. Only 25 miles north.
https://ardrosscastle.co.uk/ - Tain Pottery
Our 'Glenaldie' crockery and lampstand are available to purchase just 19 miles north on the A9.
https://www.tainpottery.co.uk/ - Glenmorangie Distillery - Tain
Visit the Valley of Tranquillity for tours and tastings
https://www.glenmorangie.com/ - Inverness City Sunset
The River Ness, looking towards Ben Wyvis. The banks of the river boast many churches and eateries.
- Orkney knitwear, gifts, jewellery & clothing
- Caledonian Canal tow path
Flat accessible terrain from Clachnaharry to Dochgarroch.
https://www.explore-inverness.com/what-t - Like our curtains? Shop at 'Harris Tweed Isle of Harris' in Inverness
- Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises - Inverness
Loch Ness - Sail it! Believe it!
https://www.jacobite.co.uk/ - Highland Food & Drink Trail
A street food zone by the banks of the River Ness in Inverness
https://highlandfoodanddrinktrail.co.uk/ - Disc Golf - Inverness
Torvean Park has an 18-hole course. Fun and Free.
https://invernessdiscgolf.com/ - Live Music, Bar, Restaurant & Rooms
'Hoots' is a hotspot for the Highland grassroots music scene
https://hootanannyinverness.co.uk/ - Inverness from Hill of Craig Phadrig
- Uile Bheist, Whisky Distillery, Inverness
- Pipe Band
Highland Games - bagpipes, Highland dancing, athletics competitions, local culinary treats & more.
https://www.rshga.org/ - Torvean Parkrun - Inverness
Alness and Nairn Links are flatter if you are chasing a PB!
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/torvean/ - Our favourite Indian Restaurant in Inverness
- Inverness Castle
New visitor attraction celebrating the 'Spirit of the Highlands' through stories of past, present and future
https://invernesscastle.scot/ - McGregor's Bar
Traditional Music, Pub & Eaterie in Inverness City Centre
https://www.macgregorsbars.com/ - Culloden Battlefield - near Inverness
Where the Jacobite clans were massacred. The last ever battle in Britain.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/cull - Outlander
Visit local filming locations and soak up the atmosphere of the hit TV series based on Diana Gabaldon's best seller.
- Clava Cairns - near Culloden
Atmospheric Bronze Age burial site that is said to have inspired 'Craigh na Dun' in 'Outlander'.
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-d - Cawdor Castle - near Nairn
Shakespeare's 'MacBeth' was written centuries before the castle was built, but the castle has 600 years of history worth visiting.
https://www.cawdorcastle.com/ - Like our blue lounge chairs? Visit Loch Ness Furniture, Nairn
- Reindeer at Cairngorm
Visit Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, only a 50 minute drive south to Glenmore beside Aviemore
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre - Osprey
You can enjoy Red Kites right above Bothan a Bhuachaille and within a 40 minute drive you may also see Osprey hunting over Loch Garten
https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserve - Cairngorm Mountain Resort
Scotland’s ultimate winter playground for families, adrenaline junkies, eager first timers, and everyone in between
https://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/the- - Highland Folk Museum - Newtonmore
Experience life in the Highlands from 1700s - 1950s, with over 35 historical buildings across 80 acres. FREE entry and dog friendly.
https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlan