A short and easy walk to the top of Tain Hill which has good views over the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths.
Clear way-marked paths with well graded up and downhill sections.
None to start, nearest bus/train is Tain 3km from start up Jubilee Drive.
Tain Hill Forest car park at the end of Jubilee Drive from Tain.
The walk can be done from Tain (adding 3km each way) by turning uphill near the Tolbooth and heading up Craighill Terrace passed the primary school, then crossing the A9 and continuing up Jubilee Road to the car park. From the car park follow the path uphill marked by a red marker post. The path soon passes a picnic table.
The path climbs between a fence and a dyke, through mixed pine woodland with some open views in places. As the trees thin out, the woodland is mainly old Scots Pine. The path skirts round the remains of a long disused quarry which provided the stone for many of Tain's buildings - including the Tolbooth - and was considered when searching for suitable stone for the Houses of Parliament. The path passes through a more open area with good views of the surrounding countryside and sea.
Climb steadily to reach the Pulpit Rock and a wooden picnic bench, an excellent viewpoint over Tarbat Ness and the Dornoch Firth. The large rock - thought to be a glacial erratic - is an impressive landmark with concrete steps leading to its flat top.
From here retrace a couple of steps and turn right to head downhill following the red marker posts. The path passes along the edge of a cleared area and then swings left (ignoring muddy tracks off) into the woodland. When the path emerges at a track turn left and follow this until a gate marks the return to the car park.
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