Ross and Cromarty, United Kingdom
Photo: Shirehorse at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Fortrose and Rosemarkie are two small towns a mile apart on the Black Isle in Easter Ross in the Scottish Highlands. In 2020 Fortrose had a population of 1680 and Rosemarkie had 640. Between them, Chanonry Point projects into the Moray Firth, where dolphins are often seen. "Chanonry" refers to canons or priests, and there was a monastery hereabouts in the Pictish era.
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Ruin of a red sandstone cathedral built around 1250 AD. Many medieval nobles are buried here but their plots are lost. After the Reformation it was stripped of anything of value (such as roof lead) and became tumbledown, though the church was used into the 18th century and the graveyard to the 19th. What is now a separate building east was the sacristry and chapter house, and became the tolbooth and town council offices until 1939.
18th century house converted into a museum for local Pictish stones - the best is the Rosemarkie Stone, found in the floor of the old church. Another fragment depicts someone squaring up to a lion's jaws: it's called the Daniel Stone as the scene is assumed to be Biblical, but it looks more like a circus act. There's also a display of the work of George Bain (1881-1968) who studied the styles of Pictish and early Christian art, such as the Book of Kells, and re-launched their use in modern design.
Small operator offering wildlife viewing trips on the Moray Firth, including otters, seals, porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. Trips are one hour and sailing times vary with weather, tides and demand.
Founded in 1793, this links course stretches down the east side of the Ness. White tees 5893 yards, par 71.
Great reviews for this deli eatery.
Cafe-bistro near the beach with a good menu selection, licenced.
Community-run cafe at the north end of the beach. Coffee, soup, burgers, home-baked goods and ice cream.
Nine room hotel above a restaurant and bar, pet-friendly. It was built in the mid-1800s and retains much of its character. The single and double rooms include ensuite bathrooms and TVs, and have some antique decor.
Clean friendly breezy campground open Apr-Oct, next to a pebble beach on the west side of Chanonry Ness.
Comfy small B&B, no pets.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie are on the A832 on the south shore of the Black Isle. From Inverness, take A9 north over Kessock Bridge (toll free) and turn right onto A832 at the Tore roundabout, allow about 40 min.
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Inverness, Highland · Regional · INV
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