Dornoch Point

Summary

This circular route from the lovely town of Dornoch explores the wild beaches and point to the south. With no formal paths, navigation requires care, but it's a good route for watching sea birds, spotting seals or just the many different shells. From the point there are good views up the Dornoch Firth to the mountains beyond.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Beach and dune walk, near the Point care needs to be taken during incoming tides to ensure you are not cut off. Paths on the return can be hard to follow.

Getting there

Start

Dornoch town centre.

Public Transport

Bus services to Dornoch.

Start Grid Ref

NH798896

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.25km / 4.5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 19m (Profile)

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Explorer 438 - Dornoch

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from main square in Dornoch; the parking here is time limited, but there is more parking nearby along the street or in the car park on Meadows Road. From the square turn along Church Street, signed for the golf course, beach and hotels. Ignore the left turns onto Golf Road and Well Street, but take the next left aong Carnaig Street, following this between the houses and their gardens. In the last garden a small stone can be seen. This marks the execution spot of Janet Horne, an elderly lady who in 1727 was convicted of being a witch along with her daughter. The daughter managed to escape but Janet Horne was imprisoned, rolled in tar and paraded through the town in a barrel before being burnt to death.

Stage 2

At the end of the street turn right then immediately left, now back along the main road to the golf course and caravan site. Fork right to enter the caravan park, then turn right opposite the reception to follow a lane that curves right past the loos, then left. Keep straight ahead, crossing a bridge. On the far side turn left following the lane past a second campsite toilet block. Now continue on the lane, eventually leaving the campsite and following the path through the dunes. When the path comes near the Dornoch Burn it forks - take the left branch to follow the path by the burn until it reaches the beach.

Stage 3

Once on the beach turn right and follow the sandy shoreline. The beach is good for watching seabirds including terns, plovers, eider ducks and turnstones. In the winter you may see red throated divers and common scoters. In clear weather you can spot the lighthouse at Tarbat Ness and even the houses at Portmahomack. Continue following the beach southwards, taking care to stay near the sand dunes if the tide is coming in; you may see the waves breaking over the sandbanks of Gizzen Briggs offshore. Note that the route may vary from the waypoints depending on the state of the tide.

Stage 4

Keep on the sand beside the dunes to round Dornoch Point, which is ill-defined. On the next stretch there are good views up the Dornoch Firth towards Struie Hill and the distant mountains beyond. Nearer, you may see common seals on the sandbanks ahead. Follow the edge of the dunes - on your right - until they relent and are replaced by grassy salt marsh. From here turn right and follow a faint path inland, skirting the the edge of the dunes and the marsh. It comes alongside a soggy burn on your left.

Stage 5

Soon the path reaches a cross-paths. Turn right here, then take the next path left to continue through the dunes. There is something of a maze of paths - using the Walkhighlands app would help keep you right. The important thing is to avoid heading too far west onto the grassy airfield - stay on the dunes. Eventually the route rejoins the outward path near the burn - bear left to retrace your steps back to the caravan park and then back into the centre of Dornoch.

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