Things to do in East Coast
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Dunrobin Castle
One mile north of Golspie is magnificent Dunrobin Castle, the largest house in the Highlands. Although it dates back to 1275, most of what you see today was built in French style between 1845 and 1850. One of the homes of the earls and dukes of Sutherland, it’s richly furnished and offers an intriguing insight into the aristocratic lifestyle.
This classic fairytale castle is adorned with towers and turrets, but only 22 of its 187 rooms are on display, with hunting trophies much to the fore. The exhibits also include innumerable gifts from farm tenants (probably grateful that they weren’t victims of the Clearances). The castle is reputedly haunted by the ghost of a green…
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Oystercatcher Restaurant
Seafood aficionados shouldn’t miss the bright and cheerful Oystercatcher Restaurant. There’s a bistro menu at lunchtime, where you can choose your serving size, and a classy brasserie evening menu with lots of lobster available, among other delights.
It also offers three cosy rooms (s/d £43/98). The rate includes what has to be the most amazing breakfast in Scotland, with numerous gourmet options – you can book it even if you’re not staying there overnight (£20).
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Tarbat Discovery Centre
The intriguing Tarbat Discovery Centre has some excellent carved Pictish stones. The exhibition includes the church’s spooky crypt. When ‘crop circles’ appeared in aerial photos a few years ago, the foundations of an Iron Age settlement were discovered around the village church; ongoing investigation revealed a Pictish monastery and evidence of production of illuminated manuscripts.
Ask the staff to pinpoint other Pictish sites in the region on a map for you.
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Clan Gunn Heritage Centre & Museum
At the Clan Gunn Heritage Centre & Museum in Latheron, 3 miles northeast of Dunbeath on the A9, you’ll learn that a Scot, not Christopher Columbus, discovered America – but you might take this claim with a pinch of salt! Even if you don’t want to go in, it’s worth pulling into the car park on a fine day to admire the stunning views.
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The Tea Cosy
The Tea Cosy is the most northerly tearoom on mainland Scotland, is worth popping into for some freshly prepared gourmet sandwiches, quiches or a ploughman’s lunch. The owners aim to please and will make you something up on request (if they can!). There are also magnificent views out to the North Sea.
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North Coast Marine Adventures
North Coast Marine Adventures runs scenic wildlife trips every couple of hours. Seals, whales, dolphins and seabirds can all be spotted. There’s also a half-hour ‘white water’ thrill-seeking option (£20), which will get you soaked as you take on the turbulent waters of the Pentland Firth.
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Waterlines Visitor Centre
Down at the harbour is the Waterlines Visitor Centre, with an exhibition on the fishing heritage of Lybster and a popular downstairs cafe. In summer it operates a smokehouse (giving visitors a whiff of the kippering process).
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Tain Through Time
Set in the grounds of St Duthus Church is Tain Through Time, an entertaining heritage centre with a colourful and educational display on St Duthac, King James IV and key moments in Scottish history. Another building focuses on the town’s fine silversmithing tradition. Admission includes an audio-guided walk around town.
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Dunbeath Heritage Centre
This heritage centre has a stone carved with runic graffiti, and a display on the work of Neil Gunn, whose wonderful novels evoke the Caithness of his boyhood.
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