1. Beauly Priory
From your place of stay in Inverness, we will travel towards Beauly Priory. The ruins of Beauly Priory lie at the east end the main square of Beauly. It was one of three priories founded in Scotland by monks of the Valliscaulian order, from the Burgundy region of France, in the years following 1230.
The monks clearly liked what they found when they arrived, for Beauly was referred to in the 1230s as Prioratus de Bello Loco: Latin for "Priory of the Lovely Spot". This suggests that the name Beauly, from the French beau lieu or "beautiful place" dates back far beyond the popular belief that it was based on a comment made by Mary Queen of Scots during her visit in the summer of 1564.
and then on to dornoch view point
40 mins
30 minutes
2.
The Dornoch Firth is a firth on the east if Highland, in northern Scotland. It forms part of the boundary between Ross and Cromarty to the south, and Sutherland, to the North. Together with Lock Fleet it is a designed as a Special Protection Are (SPA) for wildlife conservation purposes. Additionally, together with Morrich More, it has the designation of Special Area of Conservation. In 1991 the Firth was bridged, the new Dornoch Bridge providing a shorter route on the A9 road between Inverness and Thurso; until then traffic had to go by way of Bonar Bridge at the head of the inlet. A hill in Easter Ross, Struie Hill rises to 373m(1223 feet) to the south of the Dornoch Firth, 7 miles (11km) northwest of Tain. The B9176 Struie Road from Alness to Bonar Bridge was a former drove road develop in 1810-15 by the Commission for Highland Roads and Bridges.
and then on to millionaires view point
10 mins
15 minutes
3.
From there we travel to Millionaire’s View at Struie Hill, an elevated viewpoint overlooking the Dornoch Firth with spectacular views towards the mountains of Sutherland. We will spend around 30 minutes here, plenty of time to take a walk around and get some fantastic shots of the landscape.
and then on to the falls of shin
25 mins drive
30 minutes
4. Falls of Shin
We will then set off towards the village of Lairg, where the Falls of Shin are located. This beautiful waterfall is a must-see when visiting the area, especially in the summer and early autumn months when salmon can be seen leaping from the river below.
and then on to dunrobin castle
30 min drive
40 minutes
5. Dunrobin Castle and Gardens
The tour then proceeds towards Dunrobin Castle, one of Scotland’s most impressive stately homes and the largest in the northern Highlands. Take some time to wander the castle, it’s gardens and grounds. We will spend around 1 hour 30 minutes here, an excellent opportunity to learn more about this gorgeous, historic estate and the Clan Sutherland, for whom this place is the family seat. Magnificent Falconry Displays can be seen here.
Please remember castle is closed from 1 November to the end of march
so we can only see it from the outside
and then on to loch fleet
15 min drive
1 hour
6. Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve
Whether you have a passion for plants, a fascination for birds or fancy doing some seal and otter spotting, Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve provides a place to experience nature's delights in a magnificent setting. Linger on the edge of the tidal basin at low tide to watch the intense feeding activity of hungry wading birds. Walk onto the sand dunes and you can enjoy the carpet of wildflowers that nestles on the dunes against a grey lichen backdrop. Or wander in the woodland and smell the fresh scent of pine needles, whilst searching out rare pinewood plants.
and then on to the wonderful village of dornoch
15 min drive
15 minutes
7. Dornoch
From Dunrobin, it’s a short drive to the town of Dornoch, former royal burgh and home to some of the most gorgeous beaches and coasts in the Highlands. Famous for its 400 years of golfing history, Dornoch is a popular destination for visitors. The beautiful town centre and Cathedral are straight out of a painting and steeped in history. Spend some time perusing the many boutique shops offering the finest of local food and craft, as well as the 13th-century Cathedral, for around 1 hour.
and then on to glenmorangie distillery
20 min drive
1 hour
8. Glenmorangie Distillery
Finally, the road takes us to Glenmorangie Distillery, one of the most famous whisky distilleries in Scotland, also known as the ‘vale of tranquillity.’ Learn more about the whisky-making process perfected by the ‘Men of Tain,’ legendary craftsmen who make the famous blends using traditional methods passed down through the generations. According to the Glenmorangie Company, the earliest record of the production of alcohol at Morangie Farm is dated 1703. In the 1730s a brewery was built on the site that shared the farm's water source, the Tarlogie Spring. A former distillery manager, William Matheson, acquired the farm in 1843 and converted the Morangie brewery to a distillery, equipped with two second hand gin stills. He later renamed the distillery Glenmorangie.
Round off your adventure by tasting a dram of the award-winning whisky on offer, before heading back towards your place of stay in Inverness.
40 min drive
30 minutes