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 Cromarty |
 Oil Rig in Cromarty Firth |
 Avoch Harbour |
North of Inverness the main A9 crosses the Moray Firth via a spectacular bridge completed in 1982, before carving across the hillside behind the old ferry terminus of North Kessock across the Black Isle. This is actually a peninsula bounded by the Moray and Cromarty Firths rather than an island, which links to the rest of the mainland at Muir of Ord. The Black Isle is an area of rolling hills and fertile farmland, which enjoys a particularly mild climate. You can browse books about The Northern Highlands in our Bookshop (this may take a moment to load).
Cromarty is a pretty town at the north-eastern end of the peninsula and the largest settlement on the Black Isle. Attractive 1700s houses line its streets and the Cromarty Courthouse contains a museum of local history. Nearby is the thatched Hugh Miller's house. The Cromarty to Nigg ferry runs from here in Summer and lays claim to being the smallest car ferry in Scotland, being able to carry just two cars at a time. Cromarty East Church is one of the finest examples of a Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
Follow the main road south west from Cromarty and you cross the peninsula to arrive in Rosemarkie, an ancient village with a lot of charm. There are many prehistoric sites in the area and in the High Street is the Groam House Museum devoted to Pictish culture.
To the south of Rosemarkie is Chanonry Ness, leading to Chanonry Point. This is an excellent site for dolphin spotting and the terminus for a ferry across the Moray Firth for many centuries until the 1950s. Here too you find one of the Stevenson family's many lighthouses.
The village of Fortrose lies west of Chanonry Point. Until the Reformation in 1560 this was an important ecclesiastical centre and it is still home to the ruins of Fortrose Cathedral dating from the 1200s. Within sight is the rather more recent St Andrew's Church.
Further west the main road takes you through the traditional fishing village of Avoch before skirting Munlochy, while close to the A9 you can visit the Black Isle Brewery. Just north of Munlochy is the rather odd Clootie Well. South of Munloch on the Moray Firth and almost back in North Kessock is the tiny hamlet of Kilmuir.
Beauly is four miles south of Muir of Ord and ten miles west of Inverness, a picturesque town built largely of red sandstone.
The ruins of Beauly Priory, founded in 1230, lies close to the centre of the town is open to the public. Four miles east is Moniack Castle with its winery open to the public on weekdays. Sloe gin is made here and wines include elderflower and birch.
Muir of Ord is a popular tourist destination for visits to its distillery. The Glen Ord Distillery Visitor Centre is open all year and welcomes individuals and groups for a free tour and sampling.
