This pleasant circular walk from Dingwall takes in woodland paths, climbing to visit Tulloch Castle - now a hotel - before returning to leave time to explore town.
Waymarked footpath, track, road with pavement.
Regular bus and train services from Inverness and the north.
Dingwall museum on the high street.
There is a large free car park just south of the high street, signed and accessed from the A862. From here it is a short walk to the Museum and clock-towered Town Hall on the High Street which is the starting point for the walk. From the car park walk between the shop mobility hut and the public toilets to follow a narrow lane to the high street. Turn right to reach the Museum which is free and houses a permanent display about Dingwall as well as temporary exhibitions. Continue down the street until you reach Tulloch Street. Turn left and follow this street past a small supermarket on the right and a furniture shop, passing the old canal and the railway line.
When the A862 is reached turn right and pass a number of fine houses. Cross the road and continue on the far side until the houses are left behind and a path signed for Craig Wood and 'Around Dingwall' is reached on the left. Follow the path uphill and turn right when it reaches a larger path. The path meanders through the established woodland and crosses a small bridge.
Continue until a footpath sign indicates a turn left, to head uphill and follow a line of beech trees next to a fence and field. There are good views out over Dingwall and the Cromarty Firth. When the path reaches a minor road, go straight across and head up the lane opposite.
Where the lane bends right turn left onto a footpath signed for Tulloch Castle. Keep straight on ignoring a path to the left. After a gate, the path leaves the trees, with the old wall from the walled garden which once belonged to Tulloch Castle on the left. Pass the farm buildings on the left including a lovely square steading. Soon the back entrance to Tulloch Castle can be seen on the left. Go through here to see the front of the building which is now a hotel.
Tulloch Castle was built in the 1540s as a tower house and has been added to over the years. It became the traditional home of Clan Davidson following its purchase by Henry Davidson a London sugar merchant in the 1760's. It remained in the Davidson family until relatively recently when the Tulloch lands were gifted to the local council and the castle was used as the boarding hostel for Dingwall Academy. Now back in private hands, the castle is a popular hotel. Go back through the gateway to the track and continue to the left.
At a junction turn left, signed for Maggie's Drive and 'Around Dingwall'. A grassy path, at times muddy, heads down across open ground between new developments, with good views of Knockfarrel to the right. At a road go straight across into the woods, baering right, then turn left at the next junction. Go straight across at a crossroads - now on a woodland path lined with streetlamps.
The path continues down and eventually reaches a road. Turn right here to reach the main road from Strathpeffer, turn left and follow this road all the way back to the traffic lights. Go straight across at these to return to the High Street, Town Hall and the start of the walk.
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