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Around Inverness Accommodation

Beaches line the Cromarty Firth on the Black Isle

You can catch the Cromarty to Nigg Ferry from the Black Isle across the Cromarty First

The Black Isle Show is the biggest event in the agricultural calendar

Plenty of shops, cafes, museums to explore on The Black Isle

Gorgeous sandy beaches around the Black Isle

The Black Isle towns and villages are full of history and traditional architecture

Black Isle Moray Firth Scotland

The Black Isle is not actually an island but a peninsula between the Beauly Firth, Moray Firth and the Cromarty Firth north of Inverness. It is easy to reach on travel north from Inverness as it's just off the main A9 road as you head to the North East Highlands. It's also a quieter place to stay off the main tourist route.

The Black Isle, like that of the countryside around it is largely agricultural, although several of the villages closer to shore have more of a seafaring heritage. Cromarty and Fortrose are the main towns on the Black Isle.

Black Isle Tourist Guide & Family Attractions

The main towns on the Black Isle are friendly Cromarty with its historic sandstone buildings and Fortrose with its ruined 13th century cathedral.

There is a roadside Tourist Information Office in the lay-by just after you cross Kessock Bridge from Inverness. The nearest big Tourist Information Office is in Inverness city centre.

As you head inland on the A832 you'll see the clootie well near Munlochy which is supposed to bring luck and cure ailments. It was believed to be the home of a fairy and gifts of cloth were left as a gift for drinking the water that would bring luck and health. Children were once left here overnight in the hope of a cure! You'll see an assortment of cloth dangling from the branches around the well today.

If you fancy a kinder holiday treat for the children, try The Black Isle Wildlife and Country Park just outside Munlochy to the south. Kids can see and touch a range of farmyard animals including goats, rabbits, ducks and geese. There's pot-bellied pigs, rare sheep and cattle as well as more exotic animals like llamas, wallabies and zebras. The site is accessible for all. There is a picnic area, train rides and a tearoom and shop. From the A9 go across the Kessock Bridge, turn right to Drumsmittal. The park is one a half miles on the left. Black Isle Wildlife & Country Park, The Croft, Drumsmittal, North Kessock IV1 1XF. Tel: 01463 731656Tel: 01463 731 656. Fax: 01463 731 656. Email: blackislewildlife@btopenworld.com

The Black Isle Show

The biggest event in The Black Isle calendar is The Black Isle Show. It's an agricultural show held every August since its first in 1836. It is very popular so accommodation can become scarce around the show, so book early.

It was first organised by The Black Isle Farmers Society as an extension to their aim to promote the interests of agriculture. The Black Isle Farmers' Society now has its own showground in the Muir of Ord specifically for that purpose, Mannsfield Showground.

Events at The Black Isle Show range from traditional animal judging competitions to those testing farmers' skills in events like sheep shearing and ploughing. Other events include pipe bands, motorbike displays, vintage tractors and sometimes things a little out of the ordinary for Scotland like camel racing!

Check the weblink right for more information on the current year's programme and past events.

Cromarty, Black Isle

On the north eastern tip of the Black Isle is Cromarty, the main town on the Black Isle. It's well worth the drive through the Black Isle farmland with its attractive centre of traditional cottages and red sandstone houses. It's a friendly town with a long history and was a Royal Burgh from the 4th century. The town has retained a lot of character with its red sandstone buildings and traditional cottages which makes it a pleasant place to while away the time.

There's plenty to see in Cromarty including museums and exhibitions, craft shops, general store and post office. Wildlife and dolphin watching boat trips also run from Cromarty harbour. It's also a nice quiet base but convenient to the main roads for exploring more of the Scottish Highlands.

Check our Cromarty page for more information.

Fortrose, Black Isle

Fortrose is the main village on the south of the Black Isle. It was founded in 13th century and is dominated by the ruins of its 13th century cathedral. Open daily 9am-8pm. Admission free.

From the north of Fortrose you can access Chanonry Point which juts out into the sea and is an excellent place for dolphin-spotting and birdwatching.

Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club is one of the most unusual 18 hole courses in Scotland. It sits on the Chanonry peninsula with the Moray Firth on three sides. Probably one of the few places you can play golf and see dolphins at the same time!

Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club, Ness Road East, Fortrose, Scotland, IV10 8SE. Tel: Office: 01381 620529; Shop: 01381 620733. Form general enquiries about the club or for group bookings, email: secretary@fortrosegolfclub.co.uk

Black Isle Pictish Museum - Groam House Museum

The Black Isle has a concentration of prehistoric sites and the best way to find out where these are is by visiting The Groam House Musuem.

Just outside Fortrose is Rosemarkie with its small museum on Pictish culture. The Groam House Museum has a fantastic display of intricately carved Pictish standing stones including the famous Rosemarkie Cross Slab. An introductory video shows you where the Pictish sites can be found in the area. There are activities for children including rubbings of Pictish symbols or a chance to play a harp that would have been used by Pictish people. There is also a shop selling themed gifts and publications.

Opening Hours: May-Sept Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-4.30pm; Oct-Apr Sat and Sun 2-4pm or by prior appointment. Groam House Museum, High Street, Rosemarkie, Ross-shire, Scotland IV10 8UF. Tel: 01381 620961 or tel/fax 01381 621730. Email groamhouse@ecosse.net

The Black Isle Brewery

The Black Isle Brewery is an independent brewery that produces organic real ales. It is also a environmentally-friendly brewery in that it uses recycled packaging and cares about the quality of its beer which goes hand-in-hand with the best organic ingredients.

The Brewery is set in an 18th century house, Old Allengrange, where brewing appears to have been a tradition as evidence of brewing was found during renovations. The whole brewing process is carried out here too so that The Black Isle Brewery can remain self-sufficient and independent.

You can visit the brewery for a free tour to see how it's made and there's a shop on site so you can stock up on their range. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 11am-5pm during April to September inclusive. And you can keep your stocks up once you've returned home by ordering online. Check the website for more information on all aspects of the beer and brewery.

Old Allangrange, Munlochy, Ross-shire, IV8 8NZ. Tel: 01463 811871, Fax: 01463 811875.

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