Emma’s guidebook - Black Isle
Places to eat
There are many good places to eat or get a takeaway in the surrounding towns and villages.
Good pub grub and some friendly Scottish Craic open Wed/Thurs from 5 to 10pm, Fri 4pm to 12am, Sat 2pm to 12am and on a Sunday 12.30pm to 10pm.
Culbokie Inn
Good pub grub and some friendly Scottish Craic open Wed/Thurs from 5 to 10pm, Fri 4pm to 12am, Sat 2pm to 12am and on a Sunday 12.30pm to 10pm.
Across the water - The Storehouse is a wonderful restaurant, deli/food hall and gift shop. They serve breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake and early evening supper. You can see it, directly across the water from The Old Steading but you need to drive across the bridge to get to it! https://www.thestorehouse.scot/
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The Storehouse
Across the water - The Storehouse is a wonderful restaurant, deli/food hall and gift shop. They serve breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake and early evening supper. You can see it, directly across the water from The Old Steading but you need to drive across the bridge to get to it! https://www.thestorehouse.scot/
Cromarty - Sutor Creek is one of the top restaurants in the area and they also do takeaway wood-fired pizzas https://sutorcreek.co.uk/
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Sutor Creek Cafe
21 Bank StCromarty - Sutor Creek is one of the top restaurants in the area and they also do takeaway wood-fired pizzas https://sutorcreek.co.uk/
Mr fish
2 Evington RdDingwall - Fish and chips takeaway
Dingwall - Good sit or takeaway Indian restaurant. We regularly get takeaways from here when we are staying at the cottage.
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Cafe India
Tulloch StreetDingwall - Good sit or takeaway Indian restaurant. We regularly get takeaways from here when we are staying at the cottage.
Dingwal - This is both a takeaway and sit-in restaurant, however, the sit-in area is very small but it is well worth getting a takeaway. This is our family favourite!
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Miss Ying Thai Food & Shop
16 Tulloch StDingwal - This is both a takeaway and sit-in restaurant, however, the sit-in area is very small but it is well worth getting a takeaway. This is our family favourite!
Dingwall - Chinese restaurant and takeaway, popular with locals.
Ding's Chinese Restaurant & Takeaway
41 High StDingwall - Chinese restaurant and takeaway, popular with locals.
Pronto Pizza
7 MayfieldDingwall - takeaway pizzas
Wimpy
62 High StDingwall - Wimpy burger chain store
Dingwall - Deas the bakery isn’t exactly a place to go and eat but it does have great cakes, pies and other lovely baked goodies to take away! You can find it on the High Street in Dingwall and some of their cakes/bread will be for sale in the Culbokie Spar shop.
Deas Bakery
63 High StDingwall - Deas the bakery isn’t exactly a place to go and eat but it does have great cakes, pies and other lovely baked goodies to take away! You can find it on the High Street in Dingwall and some of their cakes/bread will be for sale in the Culbokie Spar shop.
Strathpeffer - a lovely restaurant for lunch or dinner.
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Red Poppy Restaurant
Main StreetStrathpeffer - a lovely restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Beauly - The hotel High-tea and Daily Deal in the Commercial Bar (known locally as The Comm, pronounced Comb!) are both great value.
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The Priory Hotel
The SquareBeauly - The hotel High-tea and Daily Deal in the Commercial Bar (known locally as The Comm, pronounced Comb!) are both great value.
Shimla
3 High StBeauly - good Indian restaurant and take away.
Beauly - Fish and chips takeaway. If you happen to be staying during the summer and happen to be here on a Thursday it is worth travelling through to watch the Beauly Firth and Glens Pipe Band who perform in the Beauly Square each Thursday evening throughout the summer.
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The Friary Fish & Chips
High StreetBeauly - Fish and chips takeaway. If you happen to be staying during the summer and happen to be here on a Thursday it is worth travelling through to watch the Beauly Firth and Glens Pipe Band who perform in the Beauly Square each Thursday evening throughout the summer.
Corner on the Square
1 High StBeauly - a great deli with a sit-in cafe.
Beauly - the best coffee is served in this cosy cafe.
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Cafe Biagiotti
11 High StBeauly - the best coffee is served in this cosy cafe.
Cromarty - worth a trip, if like me you love cheese!
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The Cheese House
Cromarty - worth a trip, if like me you love cheese!
I love this bakery, especially their brown bread....oh and the cakes!
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The Cromarty Bakery
8 Bank StI love this bakery, especially their brown bread....oh and the cakes!
Fortrose - Great food and the place to go if you fancy a wee dram as they have an extensive whisky collection!
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The Anderson
34 Union StFortrose - Great food and the place to go if you fancy a wee dram as they have an extensive whisky collection!
The Plough Inn
Fortrose
Local Walks
1. The Farm Track: the track adjacent to The Old Steading is worth taking a wee stroll along to appreciate the views across the firth and spot some wildlife.
2. Black Isle, Garve & Dingwall walks: The Walk Highlands website describes walks in the area with distances, terrain and gives directions https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochness/dingwall.shtml
3. Another good website is http://www.walkingworld.com/Walks/scotland/Highlands%20and%20Islands/Highland/Black%20Isle.aspx
4. Culbokie Wood: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/culbokie which also has a permanent orienteering course suitable for complete beginners or more experienced orienteers. http://www.culbokiect.org/index.asp?pageid=687516
6. Learnie Woods: Spectacular views whilst walking round these woods https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/14608/learnie/
Spectacular views whilst walking around these woods.
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Learnie Red Rock trails
A832 Spectacular views whilst walking around these woods.
Fyrish Monument
A steep climb but well worth it!
Mountain Biking
This website is worth checking out for more route ideas and information on where to hire bikes. https://blackislebicycles.co.uk/
Learnie Red Rock is a purpose-built mountain bike trails area, there are spectacular views and trails for all levels. If you are of a thrill-seeking nature you can ride the Learnie Hil trail, described as one of Scotland’s trickiest black trails!
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Learnie Red Rock trails
A832Learnie Red Rock is a purpose-built mountain bike trails area, there are spectacular views and trails for all levels. If you are of a thrill-seeking nature you can ride the Learnie Hil trail, described as one of Scotland’s trickiest black trails!
Craft Breweries and Whisky Distillery
Black Isle Brewing Co
Cromarty brewing Co.
Muir of Ord - great whisky tour and in my opinion you get a fine dram at the end!
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Glen Ord Distillery Visitor Centre & Whisky Shop
A832Muir of Ord - great whisky tour and in my opinion you get a fine dram at the end!
Things to do in the area
You might find it worthwhile to check out the following websites to help you choose what to do along with looking at the links I have included.
http://www.black-isle.info/
https://www.northcoast500.com/explore-the-route/black-isle/
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/black-isle-p1364431
Fortrose - If you want to have a free day out, I recommend this beach where you might spot some dolphins, as this spot is known for being one of the best viewing locations in Scotland. Also, Fortrose is a lovely quaint village and nice for a wander around.
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Chanonry Point
Ness RoadFortrose - If you want to have a free day out, I recommend this beach where you might spot some dolphins, as this spot is known for being one of the best viewing locations in Scotland. Also, Fortrose is a lovely quaint village and nice for a wander around.
Groam House Museum
High StreetRosemarkie
Cromarty Courthouse
Church StreetHugh Miller's Cottage
Church StreetFortrose Cathedral
7 Cathedral SquareRSPB Udale Bay
B9163Bird hide on the road to Cromarty
Priorat ta' Beauly
Rosemarkie Beach
Kincurdie DriveFairy Glen Falls
Eco Ventures
Victoria PlaceWildwoodz Outdoor Activities Inverness
A832This is a delightful shop that not only offers a charming collection of clothing and Scottish gifts but also provides visitors with a complimentary Outlander map highlighting the locations mentioned in the books. It's an excellent opportunity for fans of the series to explore the real-life settings of their favourite scenes while also indulging in some shopping.
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The Old School Beauly
High StreetThis is a delightful shop that not only offers a charming collection of clothing and Scottish gifts but also provides visitors with a complimentary Outlander map highlighting the locations mentioned in the books. It's an excellent opportunity for fans of the series to explore the real-life settings of their favourite scenes while also indulging in some shopping.