Cromarty & The Black Isle

Between the Firths

The Black Isle is the gateway to the North Highlands on the east. It also marks a spot where nature offers rich rewards to the intrepid traveller and the people will extend you a warm Highland welcome in the many types of accommodation and eating out establishments

This peninsula of low lying land, to the north of Inverness is actually part of the mainland. Legend has it that it is known as the Black Isle because it is unusual for snow to lie on the ground in this region. It is rich agricultural land, dotted with a series of very individual villages. Some border on to the Cromarty Firth and its Estuarine of wild fowl. Others sit at the edge of the Southern Sutors Stacks where the Firth opens out into the sea. Travel inland to find the Black Isle Forest or to the south side to the interesting fishing village of Avoch, Fortrose and Rosemarkie and also Chanonry Point by the lighthouse to watch Dolphins leap on the turn of the tide, or view the stone to Cionneach Odhar the Braham Seer, a prophet who see visions, and was sentenced to death here several hundred years ago, by being burnt in a vat of burning oil.

There are a number of beautiful nature walks made all the more interesting with the chances of bird and animal spotting, and the views up and down the firth from the Point are spectacular, especially the sunsets.

As with other parts of the north Highlands you will be able to visit a traditional Highland Games at various places throughout the summer months. So if you have yet to see the tossing of the caber or witness a pipe band in full flow you will find an interesting new experience awaits you. The Black Isle Show is a famous two day agricultural event which is held annually. It is definitely not just for farmers and will fill you in on many of the aspects of highland culture which are strong enough to have survived centuries of rapid change in other areas of life.

Cromarty is the main town in the Black Isle. It is a well preserved example of an 18th century highland coastal village and has its own museum and architectural attractions alongside the beaches, the harbour and abundant flora and fauna of the Estuarine.

The Black Isle and Cromarty have depended on the land and sea to support its communities for over 700 years. In the 17th Century it traded with Norway, Sweden, Holland and the Mediterranean. It went on to experience a boom period during the herring bonanza of the 19th century.