Activities and places to visit

Discover the Highlands

Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is the most northernly of the Scotland great Houses and the largest in the northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. Dunrobin castle is on the east coast of the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth, just north of the villages of Golspie and Dornoch

Clootie Well

A wishing well where the currency is cloth instead of coin, a clootie well harks back to ancient Celtic tradition. Historically, visitors brought rags to clootie wells and tied them to nearby trees in the belief that the offering would cure sickness. From Tore roundabout take the A832 towards Munlochy. The Clootie well car park is on your right about 2 miles along the road.

Dolphin Spirit

Leaving from Inverness, see the Dolphins from the comfort of the biggest dolphin boat on the Moray firth. See the worlds most northerly population of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Moray Firth. For more information visit www.dolphinspirit.co.uk

Rosemarkie Beach

Located on the scenic Peninsula known as the Black Isle this long stretch of sandy beach stretches out into the mouth of the Moray Firth. The beach is backed my woodland and well-kept lawns. It is also home to the ever popular Rosemarkie Beach Café Making this a great spot to relax. At the far end of the beach is Chanonry point which is a great place to spot dolphins which frequently in the Moray Firth.

Distilleries and Breweries

Dalmore Distillery

Highland Whisky Distillery located along the Scottish Coastline, on the shores of the Cromary firth Near Alness. Exceptional Whisky since 1839. The Dalmore Distillery is home to our collection of rare casks sourced from the worlds finest bodegas and wineries, that are essential to produce legendary Dalmore Whisky.

Glenmorangie Distillery

Glenmorangie is a Distillery in Tain, that produces single malt scotch Whisky. The distillery boasts the tallest Stills in Scotland. It is available in Original, 18 year old, 25 year old, special cask bottlings, cask finishes, extra matured bottlings, and a range of special editions. Open for tours.

Glen Ord

Whisky Distillery in Muir of ord, the only remaining single malt scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle. Its principal product is an eponymous 12-year-old single malt whisky. Enjoy a fully-guided tour of Glen Ord Distillery where you will learn about the processes involved in the making of the Singleton of Glen ord Scotch Whisky, finished off with a complimentary tasting.

Glen Wyvis

Community funded Distillery nestled beneath the sprawing mass of Ben Wyvis Mountain. Glenwyvis was established in 2015. The idea was to unite the community of Dingwall through the creation of a distillery owned in-part by local people. Brand new Whisky and Gin Adventure.

Isle of Skye

Plan a visit while staying with us, local tours available from Inverness. Skye is a truly Magical place. The largest of the Inner Hebrides, its home to some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes. The island has countless ways to enchant you with its mountain ranges, miles of dramatic coastline and capivating history.

North Coast 500

NC500 Route

The Simonelli Apartments are both conveniently located to follow the stunning coastal scenery of the North of Scotland over 500 miles. There’s nothing quite like the freedom of long open roads. Never-ending back roads, wide meandering country tracks and beautiful bends through some of Scotland’s finest coastal scenery.
Great Glen

Great Glen Way

The Great Glen way is a long-distance path in Scotland. It follows the Great Glen, running from Fort William to Inverness, covering 79 miles. You may wish to travel by boot, boat or bike. The route finishes at Inverness Castle, a short distance away from Simonelli Apartments in Inverness which is 12 miles away across the Kessock Bridge.

Golf

There are so many amazing golf courses worth mentioning but here are a few beautiful and challenging courses within easy reach of Simonelli Apartments.

Alness Golf club

A picturesque 18-hole golf course, on the banks of the Cromarty firth. A course like no other. Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Highlands.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club

Royal Dornoch is spellbinding and many golfers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point of their life. It is often quoted as one of the must-play courses. Formed in 1877, Royal Dornoch meets exceptional standards and they always aim to exceed the expectations of frequent visitors and loyal members.

Strathpeffer Golf Course

Founded in 1888 in the hills above the Victorian spa village of Strathpeffer. One of the most scenic courses in Scotland with panoramic views towards the Cromarty Firth in the easy and the Fannich Hills in the west, the views are worth the green-fees alone.

Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club.

Located in the Chanonry Peninsula in the Black Isle, a Scottish links Golf club enjoying breath taking views over the moray firth, only 20 minutes from Dingwall. Links Golf since 1793 – The 15th oldest recorded club in the world.

Walks

Ben Wyvis

Situated 20 minutes’ drive from Dingwall. The Car park for Ben Wyvis is to the east of the road, between Garve and Loch Glascarnoch. Using Sat Nav – IV23 2PG is the nearest postcode, north of the Car park. The 4 miles route to the summit of Ben Wyvis starts from the car park and climbs steeply up An Cabar before heading along the main ridge to the summit. It takes most people about 6 hours to walk to the summit and back. Jaw dropping views across a sweeping area of the north of Scotland.   The mountain is prominent in views of the area, presenting a whale-back shape above the farmland of Strathconon. Ben Wyvis is one of the Munros, a list of Scottish mountains over 3,000ft.

Fyrish

A few miles in the car from Simonelli Apartments just outside the village of Evanton. Start/finish – Jubilee path car park on the road to Boath, near Alness. Spectacular, extensive views over the Cromarty Firth and Beyond, and Ben Wyvis can be seen clearly, especially impressive if snow covered. The rather bizarre monument on the top of Fyrish hill, a representation of the gate of Negapatam in Madras, India is worth the steep walk for the views alone. The Monument was built on the orders of Sir Hector Munro of Novar in 1782. 

Kiltearn Church circuit, Evanton.

A walk that can begin from Balconie Street in Evanton, turn right and walk out of the village until you come to a road on your left after all houses. Follow the footpath sign marked Kiltearn Church, walking along a quiet minor road. Look out for Fyrish monument which is in view on the hilltop to the north. As the road reaches the shore of the Cromarty firth – with the Black Isle seen opposite- it curves left, seals can sometimes be seen swimming just offshore or basking on rocks along the coast to the west. Continue past the old, ruined parish chuch of Kiltearn, along the shoreline continuing to follow signs for Kiltearn church circular walk. Pleasant 3-mile walk, to help discover the local area.

Black Rock Gorge/ Evanton Wood Community Group.

Again, walk from Balconie Street in Evanton, turn left pass the shop and continue up the hill heading towards an impressive old Chapel which is now a private house. Turn right into Camden Street. Continue to the end of the street and follow the signed track, bends left to head uphill. Soon a junction of tracks are reached with an information board to the right. – this is used by the Evanton Community Woodlands project that manage these woods. There is an amazing adventure playground for the kids. Keep an eye out for community activities organised in this area. Check out the Evanton Wood Community Company online!

Fairy Glen, Rosemarkie.

A 20-minute drive from Dingwall. An Easy 2 mile walk up a delightful wooden glen, with two attractive waterfalls. The Fairy was once the scene of a well-dressed ceremony, where the children of the village decorated a poll, next to the spring with flowers. This was said to ensure that the fairies kept the water supply clean. The walk follows a clear footpath throughout, with steps. Car park on right as footpath leaves Rosemarkie towards Cromarty.

Rogie Falls

Rogie falls has a series of lovely walks on the black water which you can follow to see the waterfall that is famous for salmon viewing. This beautiful spot is situated off the main road to Ullapool just over a mile north west of the village of Contin. Very popular tourist attraction.