Rosemarkie to Cromarty

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Summary

A one-way coastal route from Rosemarkie to Cromarty - the return can be made by public transport (check the times). The first half of the walk is a rough walk along the shoreline with much interest; the second half is mostly on very quiet roads with good views.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

The shoreline section of the walk cannot be completed at high tide, and runs over tiring terrain - a mix of sand, rounded pebbles and rough boulders. The second section is mostly on quiet tarmac roads.

Public Transport

Bus service to both Cromarty and Rosemarkie.

Start

Car park in Rosemarkie as the road leaves towards Cromarty. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15km / 9.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 400m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH735577

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Park in either of the two car parks in Rosemarkie, and begin the walk by heading down the lane by the Plough Inn to reach the seafront. Once down to the front, turn left on an initially tarmac path which crosses a small bridge and heads through a picnic area and past a cafe behind the beach. At the end of the concrete path you can decide whether to continue along the beach, or take the signed path ('Cairds Cave') up the steps to instead follow a coast path amongst the trees.

Stage 2

The path rejoins the beach just before Cairds Cave, which is set well above the high tide line and reached by a small path. Though only a shallow cave - more of a rock shelter - but excavations have revealed a midden and that the cave was once inhabited. This may have also been the cave Dr William MacLean found pieces of worked bone in 1907-12, which were donated to the National Museum of Scotland. The cave was also used much more recently - with the Devine family camping here in the early 20th century.

Stage 3

From the cave the walk becomes much rougher, and is impassable at high tide as it runs along the shoreline. Pass between the blocky sea stacks and the cliffs of Scart Craig, before eventually reaching another sandy stretch. A signpost indicates a path up the cliffs to Hillockhead - a possible escape route and also making for a great circular walk from Rosemarkie.

Stage 4

The going becomes rockier again as it continues along the shoreline, with some more impressive rock stacks along the way. There are views across the Firth to Nairn, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins in the water.

Stage 5

There is one point where the route climbs up to pass behind a massive rocky outcrop, and then it passes along a wide bay, at the far end of which forestry plantations sweep right down to the water. Look out for fossils amongst the rocks on the shore - there are many ammonites amongst others - but after finding them leave them here for others to discover.

Stage 6

Eventually an old stone bothy is reached. This was an old salmon fishing station, and has now been restored and has interpretative boards about both the salmon fishing and local geologist and writer Hugh Miller. It offers excellent shelter on a wet day. Continue along the coastline very briefly to a more modern second bothy - this was a replacement for the earlier bothy and remained in use as a salmon fishing station into the 1980s.

Stage 7

From here, follow the signposted and well-made path that leads up away from the coast. It swings left as it climbs up into the trees, eventually zigzagging up through the woods to reach the fields above. Continue along this path to reach a small car park with another interpretative board at Eathie. Turn right along the tarmac road. The road curves round above the Eathie burn and passes a row a cottages by Navity.

Stage 8

Continue along the road, which eventually bends left, heading NNW away from the coast. A couple of hundred metres after passing a newly planted area on the left, a track goes off to the right (opposite a barn) towards Mains Farm. Follow this track to the farm, where you can turn left (signposted) down a minor tarred road into the fascinating historic village of Cromarty. An alternative and longer finish from Mains Farm would be to turn right and follow the route to McFarquhar's Cave and the Sutors.

Route Profile

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