This short and easy walk explores the environs of Tain, the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland. It takes in a range of historic buildings as well as wandering down to the shore of the Dornoch Firth.
Easy paths, tracks and tarmac lanes
Buses and trains to Tain.
Tain High Street.
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The walk begins in the High Street (for those arriving by car, there is parking nearby or on the shore of the Firth at Tain Links). Tain has some fine sandstone buildings; at the west end of the High Street is the grand Royal Hotel, whilst to its right is the Tolbooth. This was originally a jail and court offices and dates in part from 1630. Continue past the Royal Hotel, where the road dog-legs right and then left.
Look to the right to see the entrance to the Tain Museum and the Collegiate Church. The church was built between 1370 and 1430 to house the shrine of St Duthac, an early medieval saint who was born in the town. It replaced an earlier chapel which was burnt down (see next paragraph). St Duthac's relics made Tain an important centre of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. After exploring the church and museum, take the next right turn - after the Royal Bank - down a street signed 'Dangerous for Motorist and Cyclist'. Turn right at the bottom of this short street.
Turn left at the next junction (towards both the station and golf club) and then keep right at the next fork (signed for the golf club). The road crosses a bridge over the railway, and then bends to the right alongside it. Soon you'll reach a footpath sign indicating a turn to the left, but before going this way continue for a short distance to reach the entrance to a large graveyard containing the remains of the original chapel of St Duthac. This was burnt down when an outlaw tried to test out the theory that a church provides sanctuary. After looking at the graves, return to the footpath sign and follow the path down to the seafront.
Cross the metal suspension bridge over the river and then follow the main path on the far side (green marker post). A short distance along the route bears right at a marker post to head through broom.
Further on, a wooden signpost indicates a turn to the right (signed 'Plaids circuit'). The route now follows the tarmac road past the house and over a bridge. Tain golf course stretches out on both sides of the road; this was designed in 1890 by Old Tom Morris. Pass under the railway.
The road doglegs through a farmyard and then reaches a junction; turn right here. A short distance further on, turn left on a path that leads to a series of steps to re-enter the town of Tain. Turn right along the attractive street of stone buildings; further on it becomes the High Street.
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