Clans, Castles, Culture Tour

Balnagowan Castle, near Tain, is an ancient seat of the Ross family. They take their title and surname from the County where their forbears held lands even before their Chief brought his men to fight for Alexander II in 1215. and whose idea of showing loyalty was to present the king with the heads of his enemies!

Currently owned by Mohamed al Fayed the restored castle is a private residence. Visitors are not allowed but we can see a glimpse of it from the roadside. Learn of some interesting facts about the previous owners of this Castle.

Mermaid of the North....Scotlands answer to Copenhagen's 'Little Mermaid'

Set upon a rock on the shores at Balintore, the mermaid is one of five images forming the recently developed Seaboard Sculpture Park.

The park celebrates the culture of this part of the Tarbat peninsula and is the latest in a number of community projects established in the last 10 years and was officially opened in May 2007.

Photo opportunity provided at this, and the other sculptures.

Nigg Old Church

Set in the Highlands of Scotland, this is a fine example of a Scottish parish church and - since it houses a magnificent Pictish stone of the late eighth century, carved with unique Pictish symbols and Christian imagery - it is likely that it stands on what has been a place of Christian worship for at least 1200 years. It has, to this day, an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Learn why it has been called the 'Pirates Graveyard' ?

Fearn Abbey

In the 13th century the Abbey was moved from Edderton to New Fearn., lock, stock and barrel. Various reasons were given for the move, but it was probable that the Canons were interested in agriculture and that the lands around Fearn were more fertile, and also because it was still within 5 miles of St. Duthac's chapel in Tain.

On Sunday, 10th October, 1742 lightning struck the Abbey during morning Worship and the roof, made of Caithness slabs, fell killing 38 people. They were buried in a communal grave as the separate identities could not be established. As luck would have it, the gentry, having seats in the niches, were saved from the crash as was the minister who "was bowing down under the sounding boards" This accident was apparently predicted by the Brahan Seer who later said that he had seen a mermaid in the morning of that very day washing bloodstains from more than thirty shirts at nearby Loch Slin (now renamed Loch Eye).

Royal Burgh of Dornoch

Once the spiritual and administrative capital of Sutherland, Dornoch remains a thriving community today. Small in population (under 2500 live in the Parish) but large in hospitality, Dornoch offers visitors and residents a wide range of shops and businesses, five hotels, two golf courses, two schools, a further and higher education college and 2 award-winning sandy beaches. Its fine buildings include the 13th Century cathedral, a bishop's palace (now a hotel), courthouse and old town jail. Sandstone cottages and town houses line its peaceful streets and lanes.

Loch Fleet

Loch Fleet reserve covers 1147 hectares. It includes a large tidal basin, sand-dunes, coastal heath, pinewoods and rich plantlife. It supports common seals, terns, waders and wildfowl.

Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland's great houses and is certainly one of the most majestic. It is the largest house in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms, and is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating in part from the early 1300s.

The history of the castle is quite fascinating and has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry and latterly Sir Robert Lorimer. The castle has been used as a naval hospital during the First World War and from 1965 to 1972 as a boys' school.

See the best falconry display in Scotland during your visit.

Clynelish Whisky Distillery

The original Clynelish distillery was founded in 1819 as part of a scheme of economic improvement by the first Marquess of Stafford, Duke of Sutherland, husband to the heiress of the vast Sutherland estates. It was closed in the 1980s and the present distillery opened in 1967. Stafford was notorious in implementing the Highland Clearances when thousands of crofters were forcibly moved to make way for sheep.

Rogart Crofting Community

One of the most prominent characteristics of this remote Highland village is the peace and tranquility. Many people who come to visit (and even live) say it is the perfect place to get away from it all. Rogart is a beautiful area to explore with lots of sheltered glens, forests, burns, and spectacular hill-top views. You are welcome to share it with those fortunate enough to live here, and to walk in most places.

See how the crofters of old used to live.

Falls of Shin and Harrods outlet.

The River Shin is one of the great salmon rivers in Scotland and is one of the rivers, including that of the Cassley and Carron that run into the River Oykel. The surrounding area consists of many hills and a large number of streams and burns bring water down to form the river. The water in the River Shin is fresh water and is superbly clean, the perfect conditions for the Atlantic salmon and other fish such as trout that require a constant flow of fresh water.

Visitors can watch Atlantic Salmon battle to return to their place of birth to spawn the next salmon generation.

The Million Dollar View

Take a photo stop at one of the most spectacular views in the North Highlands on rout back to your ship.

Balnagowan Castle, near Tain, is an ancient seat of the Ross family. They take their title and surname from the County where their forbears held lands even before their Chief brought his men to fight for Alexander II in 1215. and whose idea of showing loyalty was to present the king with the heads of his enemies! Currently owned by Mohamed al Fayed the restored castle is a private residence. Visitors are not allowed but we can see a glimpse of it from the roadside. Learn of some interesting facts about the previous owners of this Castle.
	Mermaid of the North....Scotlands answer to Copenhagen's 'Little Mermaid' Set upon a rock on the shores at Balintore, the mermaid is one of five images forming the recently developed Seaboard Sculpture Park. The park celebrates the culture of this part of the Tarbat peninsula and is the latest in a number of community projects established in the last 10 years and was officially opened in May 2007. Photo opportunity provided at this, and the other sculptures.
Nigg Old Church Set in the Highlands of Scotland, this is a fine example of a Scottish parish church and - since it houses a magnificent Pictish stone of the late eighth century, carved with unique Pictish symbols and Christian imagery - it is likely that it stands on what has been a place of Christian worship for at least 1200 years. It has, to this day, an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Learn why it has been called the 'Pirates Graveyard' ?
	Fearn Abbey In the 13th century the Abbey was moved from Edderton to New Fearn., lock, stock and barrel. Various reasons were given for the move, but it was probable that the Canons were interested in agriculture and that the lands around Fearn were more fertile, and also because it was still within 5 miles of St. Duthac's chapel in Tain. On Sunday, 10th October, 1742 lightning struck the Abbey during morning Worship and the roof, made of Caithness slabs, fell killing 38 people. They were buried in a communal grave as the separate identities could not be established. As luck would have it, the gentry, having seats in the niches, were saved from the crash as was the minister who "was bowing down under the sounding boards" This accident was apparently predicted by the Brahan Seer who later said that he had seen a mermaid in the morning of that very day washing bloodstains from more than thirty shirts at nearby Loch Slin (now renamed Loch Eye).
Royal Burgh of Dornoch Once the spiritual and administrative capital of Sutherland, Dornoch remains a thriving community today. Small in population (under 2500 live in the Parish) but large in hospitality, Dornoch offers visitors and residents a wide range of shops and businesses, five hotels, two golf courses, two schools, a further and higher education college and 2 award-winning sandy beaches. Its fine buildings include the 13th Century cathedral, a bishop's palace (now a hotel), courthouse and old town jail. Sandstone cottages and town houses line its peaceful streets and lanes.
	Loch Fleet Loch Fleet reserve covers 1147 hectares. It includes a large tidal basin, sand-dunes, coastal heath, pinewoods and rich plantlife. It supports common seals, terns, waders and wildfowl.
Dunrobin Castle Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland's great houses and is certainly one of the most majestic. It is the largest house in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms, and is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating in part from the early 1300s. The history of the castle is quite fascinating and has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry and latterly Sir Robert Lorimer. The castle has been used as a naval hospital during the First World War and from 1965 to 1972 as a boys' school. See the best falconry display in Scotland during your visit.
	Clynelish Whisky Distillery The original Clynelish distillery was founded in 1819 as part of a scheme of economic improvement by the first Marquess of Stafford, Duke of Sutherland, husband to the heiress of the vast Sutherland estates. It was closed in the 1980s and the present distillery opened in 1967. Stafford was notorious in implementing the Highland Clearances when thousands of crofters were forcibly moved to make way for sheep.
Rogart Crofting Community One of the most prominent characteristics of this remote Highland village is the peace and tranquility. Many people who come to visit (and even live) say it is the perfect place to get away from it all. Rogart is a beautiful area to explore with lots of sheltered glens, forests, burns, and spectacular hill-top views. You are welcome to share it with those fortunate enough to live here, and to walk in most places. See how the crofters of old used to live.
	Falls of Shin and Harrods outlet. The River Shin is one of the great salmon rivers in Scotland and is one of the rivers, including that of the Cassley and Carron that run into the River Oykel. The surrounding area consists of many hills and a large number of streams and burns bring water down to form the river. The water in the River Shin is fresh water and is superbly clean, the perfect conditions for the Atlantic salmon and other fish such as trout that require a constant flow of fresh water. Visitors can watch Atlantic Salmon battle to return to their place of birth to spawn the next salmon generation.
The Million Dollar View Take a photo stop at one of the most spectacular views in the North Highlands on rout back to your ship.

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