Fiona's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Fancy a trip on the Hogwarts Express? Leaving from Fort William and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the way to Mallaig, which has been referred to as one of the most scenic railway journey’s in the world or you may prefer to photograph the train crossing the viaduct from the road rather than take the train. Also (weather permitting) view or climb Britains highest mountain, Ben Nevis which stands at 1,345 metres or 4,413 feet.
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Glenfinnan Viaduct View Point
A830 RdFancy a trip on the Hogwarts Express? Leaving from Fort William and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the way to Mallaig, which has been referred to as one of the most scenic railway journey’s in the world or you may prefer to photograph the train crossing the viaduct from the road rather than take the train. Also (weather permitting) view or climb Britains highest mountain, Ben Nevis which stands at 1,345 metres or 4,413 feet.
Dunrobin Castle was built in Golspie by the Duke of Sutherland and now resembles a French Chateau. It is one of Britains oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s. It was also used as a naval hosptial during the First World War. Equally interesting, and also connected to The Sutherland Family, is Carbisdale Castle (now a private residence) which was built by the dowager Duchess Mary of Sutherland in 1907 to spite her step son the Fourth Duke of Sutherland. Mary was the scandalous second wife of the Third Duke of Sutherland and when he died he left all his money to her. The Sutherland family contested the will and Queen Victoria had to intervene to help get the matter resolved. Mary agreed to half a million pounds and a ‘suitable’ residence, which she built on the border between Ross shire and Sutherland so that each time the Fourth Duke travelled to Dunrobin Castle he had to pass her castle with its 365 windows, which he paid for. She died before it was completed. Such was her hatred the castle clock only had 3 faces as she did not want to “give him the time of day”. The castle was left to the Scottish Youth Hostels Association.
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Dunrobin kastali
Dunrobin Castle was built in Golspie by the Duke of Sutherland and now resembles a French Chateau. It is one of Britains oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s. It was also used as a naval hosptial during the First World War. Equally interesting, and also connected to The Sutherland Family, is Carbisdale Castle (now a private residence) which was built by the dowager Duchess Mary of Sutherland in 1907 to spite her step son the Fourth Duke of Sutherland. Mary was the scandalous second wife of the Third Duke of Sutherland and when he died he left all his money to her. The Sutherland family contested the will and Queen Victoria had to intervene to help get the matter resolved. Mary agreed to half a million pounds and a ‘suitable’ residence, which she built on the border between Ross shire and Sutherland so that each time the Fourth Duke travelled to Dunrobin Castle he had to pass her castle with its 365 windows, which he paid for. She died before it was completed. Such was her hatred the castle clock only had 3 faces as she did not want to “give him the time of day”. The castle was left to the Scottish Youth Hostels Association.
If you fancy looking for the Loch Ness Monster, take a cruise down Loch Ness on a Jacobite Cruise. The cruise takes you to the ruined Castle Urquhart on the shores of Loch Ness. The photographs show the view up Loch Ness from Fort Augustus in the winter and the view of Castle Urquhart taken from the cruise boat.
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Jacobite Cruises
Margaret StreetIf you fancy looking for the Loch Ness Monster, take a cruise down Loch Ness on a Jacobite Cruise. The cruise takes you to the ruined Castle Urquhart on the shores of Loch Ness. The photographs show the view up Loch Ness from Fort Augustus in the winter and the view of Castle Urquhart taken from the cruise boat.
A gentle family walk through the woods and along the river to the falls. (Unfortunately, the bridge over the river is currently closed for repairs) but you can still view the falls from various points along the river. There is a car park and toilets at the start of the walk.
During the 20 years that I have been hosting guests, two couples have become engaged to be married here, maybe there is something special in the air💍💕
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Rogie-foss
A835A gentle family walk through the woods and along the river to the falls. (Unfortunately, the bridge over the river is currently closed for repairs) but you can still view the falls from various points along the river. There is a car park and toilets at the start of the walk.
During the 20 years that I have been hosting guests, two couples have become engaged to be married here, maybe there is something special in the air💍💕
A moderate family walk to the top of Fyrish hill gives you excellent views over the Cromarty Firth and beyond. Built in 1782 by Sir Hector Munro, the 8th of Novar, who served in India as a general. As the local population were being cleared off the land they had worked for centuries by certain Landlords to breed sheep, survival was a problem and so it was built to keep locals in labour. It represents the Gate of Negapatum, a port in Madras, where Sir Hector was stationed in 1781.
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Fyrish Monument
A moderate family walk to the top of Fyrish hill gives you excellent views over the Cromarty Firth and beyond. Built in 1782 by Sir Hector Munro, the 8th of Novar, who served in India as a general. As the local population were being cleared off the land they had worked for centuries by certain Landlords to breed sheep, survival was a problem and so it was built to keep locals in labour. It represents the Gate of Negapatum, a port in Madras, where Sir Hector was stationed in 1781.
Findhorn beach is at the spiritual heart of the Findhorn Foundation, a world renowned eco-village and spiritual learning centre. Founded in 1962 by Eileen Caddy she received guidance from ‘the still, small voice within’ and the foundation grew from a very unintentional start, in a caravan, at Findhorn.
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Findhorn Beach
North ShoreFindhorn beach is at the spiritual heart of the Findhorn Foundation, a world renowned eco-village and spiritual learning centre. Founded in 1962 by Eileen Caddy she received guidance from ‘the still, small voice within’ and the foundation grew from a very unintentional start, in a caravan, at Findhorn.
Culloden is the site of the last battle to be held on British soil. It was the final battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. The battle lasted only 40 minutes where 1,000 of the Young Pretender’s (Bonnie Prince Charlie) army of 5,000 weak and starving Highlanders were killed by the 9,000 Redcoats who lost only 50 men. Couple your outing with a trip to nearby Fort George and museum which was built around the time of the Jacobite uprising and is still in excellent condition
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Culloden Battlefield station
Culloden is the site of the last battle to be held on British soil. It was the final battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. The battle lasted only 40 minutes where 1,000 of the Young Pretender’s (Bonnie Prince Charlie) army of 5,000 weak and starving Highlanders were killed by the 9,000 Redcoats who lost only 50 men. Couple your outing with a trip to nearby Fort George and museum which was built around the time of the Jacobite uprising and is still in excellent condition
An excellent family adventure park set in the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore.
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Landmark Forest Adventure Park
B9153An excellent family adventure park set in the Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore.
Cromarty Courthouse built in 1772 is well worth a visit (previous winner of Scottish Museum of the year and it’s free). It re-enacts a trial in the courtroom and you can get a feel for how hard life was back in the 1800s as you walk past the cells. Interesting for the whole family. Cromarty has lots of interesting old buildings to investigate.
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Cromarty Courthouse
Church StreetCromarty Courthouse built in 1772 is well worth a visit (previous winner of Scottish Museum of the year and it’s free). It re-enacts a trial in the courtroom and you can get a feel for how hard life was back in the 1800s as you walk past the cells. Interesting for the whole family. Cromarty has lots of interesting old buildings to investigate.
Two pages of activities within 2 hours of Ashtree Cottage. Click on the page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
Two pages of activities within 2 hours of Ashtree Cottage. Click on the page to enlarge.
Places to go in Inverness which is 12 miles from Ashtree Cottage. Click on the page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
Places to go in Inverness which is 12 miles from Ashtree Cottage. Click on the page to enlarge.
Two pages to things to see and do on The Black Isle, take a leisurely day trip around The Black Isle from Alcaig to Cromarty and back. Visit Rosemarkie beach, Cromarty Courthouse, The Glen Ord distillery in Muir of Ord and much more. Click on the page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
Two pages to things to see and do on The Black Isle, take a leisurely day trip around The Black Isle from Alcaig to Cromarty and back. Visit Rosemarkie beach, Cromarty Courthouse, The Glen Ord distillery in Muir of Ord and much more. Click on the page to enlarge.
Ashtree Cottage
Page two of things to see and do around the Black Isle.
Take a day trip to Fort William passing Loch Ness where you can take a cruise or just ‘Nessie Spot’ from the shore then continue down to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK and take a ride on the Hogwarts Express 🚂. Click on page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
Take a day trip to Fort William passing Loch Ness where you can take a cruise or just ‘Nessie Spot’ from the shore then continue down to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK and take a ride on the Hogwarts Express 🚂. Click on page to enlarge.
How about heading north to John O’Groats, the most northerly point on the British Mainland? On the way stop at the Glen Morangie distillery, Dunrobin Castle, Timespan Museum in Helmsdale amongst other places on the way. Click on both pages to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
How about heading north to John O’Groats, the most northerly point on the British Mainland? On the way stop at the Glen Morangie distillery, Dunrobin Castle, Timespan Museum in Helmsdale amongst other places on the way. Click on both pages to enlarge.
The West Coast of Scotland is famed for its beauty. The east coast is green and fertile but the west is rugged and mountainous. Within one hour you can experience both. Click on page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
The West Coast of Scotland is famed for its beauty. The east coast is green and fertile but the west is rugged and mountainous. Within one hour you can experience both. Click on page to enlarge.
If you are interested in history visit Fort George in Ardersier, built in 1727, it is the mightiest artillery fortification in Europe then go to Culloden Battlefield, the scene of the last battle on British soil on 16th April 1746. Culloden was featured in Season 3 of Outlander. Continue to Elgin and the Motor museum, Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere centre and if you want to continue on to Speyside visit one of the many world famous whisky distilleries (booking advised). Click on page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
If you are interested in history visit Fort George in Ardersier, built in 1727, it is the mightiest artillery fortification in Europe then go to Culloden Battlefield, the scene of the last battle on British soil on 16th April 1746. Culloden was featured in Season 3 of Outlander. Continue to Elgin and the Motor museum, Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere centre and if you want to continue on to Speyside visit one of the many world famous whisky distilleries (booking advised). Click on page to enlarge.
If you travel South from Ashtree Cottage to Kingussie, you can ride the Strathpey Steam Railway, wild swim in Loch Morlich at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains, visit the Highland Wildlife Park or spend a family day out at the Landmark Forest Adventure Park. Aviemore is the outdoor capital of the Highlands with skiing in the winter. Click on page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
If you travel South from Ashtree Cottage to Kingussie, you can ride the Strathpey Steam Railway, wild swim in Loch Morlich at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains, visit the Highland Wildlife Park or spend a family day out at the Landmark Forest Adventure Park. Aviemore is the outdoor capital of the Highlands with skiing in the winter. Click on page to enlarge.
I attach a list of emergency contact details should you need to contact someone urgently. For fire brigade, police or ambulance dial 999.
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Ashtree Cottage
I attach a list of emergency contact details should you need to contact someone urgently. For fire brigade, police or ambulance dial 999.
Food scene
Allangrange Arms
54 Millbank RdExcellent reviews but best to book in advance.
Cottage Bar & Restaurant
Hood StreetClosest restaurant to Ashtree Cottage
Excellent early evening High Tea, which includes scones and cakes as well as your meal.
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The Priory Hotel
The SquareExcellent early evening High Tea, which includes scones and cakes as well as your meal.
Cafe India
Tulloch StreetClosest Indian restaurant in Dingwall
IV10 Cafe Bar Deli
18 High StThe Royal Hotel in Cromarty provides good food, but can be busy. Best to book in advance.
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The Royal Hotel
1 Marine TerraceThe Royal Hotel in Cromarty provides good food, but can be busy. Best to book in advance.
Some places to eat and drink within an hour of Ashtree Cottage. Click on page to enlarge.
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Ashtree Cottage
Some places to eat and drink within an hour of Ashtree Cottage. Click on page to enlarge.