East Coast

In both landscape and character, the east coast is where the real barrenness of the Highlands begins to unfold. A gentle splendour and a sense of escapism mark the route along the twisting A9, as it heads north for the last of Scotland’s far-flung, mainland population outposts. With only a few exceptions the tourism frenzy is left behind once the road traverses Cromarty Firth and snakes its way along wild and pristine coastline.

While the interior is dominated by the vast and mournful Sutherland mountain range, along the coast great heather-covered hills heave themselves out of the wild North Sea. Rolling farmland drops suddenly into the icy waters, and small, historic towns are moored precariously on the coast’s edge.

Explore East Coast

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout East Coast.

  • Castle

    Dunrobin Castle

    Magnificent Dunrobin Castle, a mile past Golspie, is the Highlands' largest house. Although it dates to 1275, most of what you see was built in French…

  • Museum

    Tarbat Discovery Centre

    This intriguing museum has some excellent carved Pictish stones. When ‘crop circles’ appeared in aerial photos some years ago, the foundations of an Iron…

  • Church

    Dornoch Cathedral

    Consecrated in the 13th century, beautiful Dornoch Cathedral, one of the Highlands' loveliest churches, is an elegant Gothic edifice with an interior…

  • Waterfall

    Falls of Shin

    Four miles south of Lairg, the picturesque Falls of Shin provide one of the best places in the Highlands to see salmon leaping on their way upstream to…

  • Historic Building

    Spa Pavilion & Upper Pump Room

    In Strathpeffer's heyday, the Pavilion was the social centre and venue for dances, lectures and concerts. These days it's a renovated performing-arts…

  • Museum

    Timespan

    In the heart of Helmsdale, this heritage centre has an impressive display covering local history, including a Pictish stone, the Clearances, the fishing…

  • Distillery

    Glenmorangie

    Located on Tain’s northern outskirts, Glenmorangie (emphasis on the second syllable) produces a fine lightish malt, subjected to a number of different…

  • Museum

    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…

  • Museum

    Highland Museum of Childhood

    Strathpeffer's former train station houses a wide range of social-history displays about childhood and also has activities for children, including a…

  • Archaeological Site

    Eagle Stone

    The Eagle Stone is well worth a look. It’s a pre-7th-century Pictish stone connected to a figure from local history – the Brahan Seer, who predicted many…

  • Museum

    Historylinks

    Historylinks is a child-friendly museum focusing on local history. Displays cover geology, the Picts, the building of the cathedral and the development of…

  • Village

    Croick

    From Ardgay, a single-track road leads 10 miles up Strathcarron to Croick, the scene of notorious evictions during the 1845 Clearances. You can still see…

  • Visitor Centre

    Ferrycroft Visitor Centre

    On the opposite side of the river from Lairg's town centre (follow the sheep signs), this visitor centre has displays on local history and wildlife and…

  • Visitor Centre

    Carnegie Courthouse

    The impressive 19th-century former courthouse building in the centre of town now contains a spa, cafe, whisky cellar and visitor information. Winter…

  • Museum

    Dingwall Museum

    The displays at Dingwall Museum include reconstructions of a local blacksmith's workshop and an Edwardian kitchen. There's also an exhibit celebrating the…