The Highlands

Top Things to do near Dornoch (Scotland)

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The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is located in the northern Highlands, approximately 1 hour north of Inverness, just off the A9. This seaside town is a great place to base yourself if you’re looking to explore the area or if you’re doing the North Coast 500 (NC500). Hopefully you’ve already checked out our comprehensive guide on things to do in Dornoch – if not, click here! So if you’re now wondering if there’s much to do in the surrounding area, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve been visiting Dornoch for years and know the area very well so here are our top places to visit around Dornoch, many of which feature on the NC500 circuit.

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Awesome Guide to Things to Do in Dornoch

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We have been visiting the quaint town of Dornoch since the late nineties and we absolutely love it! It always features on our ititneray when we visit our family in Lairg.

Where is Dornoch?

The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is a seaside town located in the northern Highlands approximately 1 hour north of Inverness, just off the A9, and is perfectly located between the Dornoch Firth and the Moray Firth. It’s an easy day trip from Inverness or a stopping place when doing the North Coast 500. You may also want to base yourself here as there’s so much to do in the area. Spend a couple of days discovering the town, the beach and the golf course and then head slightly further afield to discover what the area has to offer.

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Top things to do in and around Lairg

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Where is Lairg?

The small peaceful town of Lairg is located in the county of Sutherland in the northern Highlands, Scotland. Often referred to as the gateway or the crossroads of the Highlands, Lairg is a small town on the shores of Loch Shin. It’s a great base if you’re looking to explore the true wilderness of Sutherland. It’s about 1h30 minutes’ drive from Inverness. To truly appreciate everything the area has to offer, we strongly recommend having a car although it’s possible to reach Lairg by public transport (see information below).

The Pier Restaurant

What a perfect place to build a restaurant, right on the banks of beautiful Loch Shin! When Jeremy Clarkson and his team passed through Lairg on their Grand Tour, they made headlines when they stopped here for lunch. No doubt they had heard about its excellent reputation. The restaurant has a wonderful outdoor seating area for the summer and cosy indoor dinning for chilly days. Both have pleasant views over the loch and towards the hills. There is also a small gift shop selling locally made stoneware and other crafts.

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Top Guide to visiting the Black Isle

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Where is the Black Isle?

The Black Isle is located in the Scottish Highlands just north of Inverness (around 15 minutes’ drive). It’s connected to the mainland in the South by the Kessock Bridge and in the North by the Cromarty bridge. It’s almost entirely surrounded by the sea which gives it a real island feel. Its name is thought to have originated from the fact that snow rarely falls on the isle, unlike the surrounding hills.

Best things to see and do on the Black Isle

Wander the streets of Cromarty

Head to the north of the Black Isle and discover the picturesque town of Cromarty, an old fishing port with an attractive sandy beach and an interesting selection of shops and restaurants.

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Epic Guide to the NC500 East Coast – from Inverness to Thurso (anti-clockwise)

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As family we have been familiar with the NC500 route for many years, long before it was branded Scotland’s answer to route 66. In fact, our clan has called the Highlands and Islands of Scotland home for 30 years. The scenery is spectacular, the local seafood is some of the best in the world and history is around every corner.

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Top things to do in Inverness

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Dubbed the capital of the Highlands, Inverness has lots to offer visitors and is also the gateway to the NC500 (North Coast 500). You can easily spend a day or two exploring this pretty city or use it as a base to discover the beautiful surrounding countryside. Read on to discover some great Inverness attractions!

Inverness Castle

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11 Top things to do in Golspie

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Located in the northern Highlands about 1 hour north of Inverness, Golspie has become a popular stop on the NC500 circuit. It also makes for a great day trip from Inverness or nearby Dornoch. It’s a small town which lies directly on the A9 and has a number of great attractions. It can be easily reached by car or alternatively by public transport (train or bus).

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