Tain and Easter Ross

Tain – the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland – is the ancient heart of this part of Easter Ross, between the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, though today Alness and Invergordon are equally important. This is a much gentler landscape than the rugged west coast, with lower, more rolling hills sloping down to fertile farmland and the sea, dotted with attractive seaside villages such as Portmahomack and Shandwick.

There are forest walks in the hills, and some good viewpoints looking along the two Firths, but it is the coastline which wins most attention, with fine long sandy beaches.

Tain Hill and Pulpit Rock 2km 40 minutes Aldie Burn, Tain 3km 1 hour Tobar na Slainte, Shandwick 3km 1 hour Tain links circuit 3.5km 1 hour Black Rock Gorge, Evanton 4km 1.5 hours Lochanan nan Tunag, Kildary 4.5km 1 – 1.5 hours Kiltearn Church circuit, Evanton 5km 1.5 hours North Sutor, Nigg 5.5km 1.5 – 2 hours River Averon, Alness 6km 1.5 hours Fyrish Monument, near Alness 6km 1.5 – 2.5 hours Balintore to Rockfield 8.5km 2 – 2.5 hours Tarbat Ness circuit, Portmahomack 14km 3.5 – 5 hours Accommodation links for this area: Hotels around the Ullapool region Ullapool and Easter Ross region Bed and Breakfasts Self catering cottages in Tain, Portmahomack and Easter Ross Ullapool region hostels Campsites in Ullapool region