North of the Inverness and the Kessock Bridge, the Black Isle is a peninsula decked out in a thousand shades of green. A veritable maze of quiet country roads and forest tracks, the area is a delight to explore. It is a naturalists' paradise with attractions such as the Black Isle Wildlife and Country Park, bird reserves at Munlochy Bay and Udale Bay, and the famous dolphins which can be viewed on cruises from Cromarty or from the shore at North Kessock and Fortrose.

Traveling east towards Cromarty, you pass through a chain of delightful villages and small harbours. Attractions en route include Avoch Heritage Centre (pronounced Och, as in loch), the ruins of Fortrose Cathedral, and Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie with its remarkable collection of Pictish artifacts. Meanwhile, in the picturesque village of Cromarty itself, you can enjoy an award-winning experience at the Cromarty Courthouse and visit Hugh Miller's Cottage - home of the godfather of geology - which is now in the care of The National Trust for Scotland.

Between Dingwall and the Dornoch Firth, the rich farmland of Easter Ross provides a backdrop for friendly communities such as Evanton, Alness, Invergordon and Tain. Near Evanton, on the shores of the Cromarty Firth, you find The Storehouse of Foulis (formerly Clanland & Sealpoint) - a new visitor centre at Foulis Ferry. Here you can learn about the clan Munro and the environment of the Cromarty Firth. Another local landmark built by the Munro family is the giant Fyrish Monument which dominates the skyline above Evanton. A replica of the gates of an Indian city, the monument was built by Sir Hector Munro in 1783 reputedly to provide work for destitute local people too proud to accept charity.

Beyond Evanton, the Moray Firth Tourist Route veers inland over the 'Struie' (on the B9176) whilst eastward lies Alness - 2002 Gold Award winner of the Britain in Bloom 'small town' category, where the town's Alness Academy swimming pool is open to visitors in the evenings and at weekends and during school holidays.

Once an important naval base, Invergordon is now recognised as a major port of call for international cruise liners and as a service base for the oil rigs you will see rising high above the waters of the Cromarty Firth. The town has a Leisure Centre with gym and swimming pool.

Shooting

Whilst staying in the Highlands, there are various outdoor sporting activities, fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, golf, walking, stalking in season and walked up grouse, pheasant and duck shooting.

Golf

Loved by millions throughout the world, Golf is a game that was born on the links land of eastern Scotland, for over 600 years the Scots have natured the game and today, as it has always done, golf is regarded as the game of the people.

The popularity of golf was so much so that during the mid-15th century when Scotland was preparing to defend itself against an English invasion, the population’s enthusiastic pursuit of golf led to the neglect of military training such as archery practice.

This unwanted distraction led to the Scottish parliament of King James II to ban golf, the ban lasted from 1457 until it was lifted in 1502.

Today Scotland is regarded as the home of golf and has almost 500 courses many of which are survivors from the very earliest days of the game.

Fishing

One has only to look at a map of this area to see there's an awful lot of water about, and whether it's sea or fresh water, it's clean, very clean, the habitat of excellent quality safe to eat fish. With miles of coastline near by the sea angler will find access easy and a wide variety of fish including codling, saith, mackerel and conger in season.

The rivers, streams and dozens of lochs in the north of Scotland are  like a paradise for any angler. Fishing for salmon or sea trout on the River Alness can be arrange through TroutQuest Fishing Holidays.

Walking

Walking in Scotland is a great way to encourage children into the great outdoors and to encourage them to get the active habit, especially with the pressures of healthy living and well being - what better time to get them excited about walking in the countryside!

Family walks shouldn't be too long. They should be relaxing, fun and full of interest for all and it's also important to treat the walk as a journey of exploration or adventure and to go at the child's pace. Take a picnic and plenty to drink and head for a landmark that will appeal to them such as a swing park, castle, ice cream van or pond.

Fyrish Monument: 
This is a monument which was built on the orders of Sir Hector Munro of Novar Estate, way back in the late eighteenth century.  It is said to be based on the gates to an Indian city named Negapataum or Negapatum.  Sir Hector requested the work and helped out many unemployed in doing so.
 
To get to the monument you need to drive up the old Struie road and turn left at the sign for Boath.  A few miles up this road you will see the signs for the Jubilee Path to Fyrish Monument, car park. 
The views from the top are stunning and we highly recommend this walk for the views and for the monument which is most unusual.

Black Rock Gorge:
The Harry Potter film (Goblet of Fire) location beside the river and bridge in Evanton.  (Turn left as you leave the caravan park and take the first left over the bridge).  Follow the road until you see Assynt Mill and you will see another road just before it to the left.  This is a rough track that can be used by car in good weather. At the bottom of track there is a turning area.  A short walk takes you over the gorge on a bridge (ARMY skills), up the other side, back over another bridge and back to the car.  The Gorge is amazingly deep (125 feet) and very narrow!