WILDLIFE 

• The Moray Firth is home to a world famous colony of Bottlenose Dolphins. These can often be seen from Seaview along with Harbour Porpoise, Seals, seabirds and even the occasional Minke Whale. A boat trip with the award winning EcoVentures is highly recommended during your stay. Shore based dolphin watching is also possible at Chanonry Point which is only a 15 minute drive away.

• Udale bay RSPB Nature reserve is a 5 minute drive away. From the peaceful hide overlooking the intertidal mud flats thousands of waders, ducks, geese and even Osprey can be viewed. 

 

BEACHES

• Cromarty has two beaches, one situated right next to Seaview, the other eastern beach is only a few minutes walk away.

• Dornoch Beach  The only beach in the Highlands to be awarded the Blue Flag, and the only winner of the Good Beach Guide in the North of Scotland. Easy access.
• Embo  Beach  Near the town of Dornoch. Access to beach unrestricted. Parking in village.
• Portmahomack Beach  Easy access.
• Rosemarkie Beach  On the Black Isle. Easy access from the village. Children’s play area.
• Udale Bay  On the Black isle. Accessible from the B9163 road between Jemimaville and Balblair.

 

CYCLING

The quiet roads in the area, many of which are unclassified, are particularly suitable for cyclists. The Forestry Commission has established a large network of excellent off-road routes throughout the Highlands. Cromarty is within easy reach of the Learnie Red Rocks where some excellent mountain biking experiences can be had.

DISTILLERYS

Whisky production has always been interwoven with the fabric of Scottish life. Visiting a distillery will provide an excellent insight into how whisky is made as well as giving you the opportunity to taste the ‘water of life’. There are a number of distilleries within easy reach of Cromarty:
 

• Clynelish - Off A9, one mile NW of Brora
• Dalwhinnie - Off A9 at A889: head NW for two miles
• Glenmorangie - Half a mile N of Tain on A9
• Glen Ord - Muir of Ord, off A832
• Tomatin - Sixteen miles S of Inverness, off A9

GOLF
Any keen golfer in the know will tell you that north of Inverness, a string of no fewer than twenty-two courses stretches right around the Highland coast. From the championship links course at Royal Dornoch, which is one of the top 10 courses in the UK, and 16th in the world, to the seductive challenges of the nine-hole courses in quiet coastal backwaters. Here are just a few which are in easy access of the Apartment:
 

• Allness Golf Club
• Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club
• Invergordon Golf Club
• Muir of Ord Golf Club
• Royal Dornoch Golf Club
• Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club
• Struie , Royal Dornoch Golf Club
• Tain Golf Club
• Tarbat Golf Club, Portmahomack

Contact Golf Highland for details of the Ross & Cromarty Golf Pass through which you can experience 9 fabulous courses in Ross & Cromarty.

PONY TREKKING
Explore some of the surrounding area on horseback with Broomhill riding centre. Lessons and treks for all levels can be arranged locally.


WALKING
The Black Isle Path Network takes you on a journey through a landscape that is rich in natural and historical interest. The waymarked Network is made up of over 90 miles of multi-use paths which connect traditional trails with quiet roads and farm tracks. The paths offer easy access to the countryside for people of all ages and abilities. Some of them are suitable for wheelchair and pushchair access. A number of leaflets are available which provide a brief introduction to each area, along with simple route maps. The Mid-Ross Path Network is also within easy access.

Cromarty is also within easy access of the mountains and glens in the Northwest Highlands, which has gained the reputation of containing in its remotest areas the last remaining wilderness in Western Europe. The splendid variety of hills and mountains in the Northwest Highlands is matched by the variety  of hill walking, cross-country walking, rock climbing, winter climbing and even ski-mountaineering that is possible within their bounds. There is almost an unlimited selection of hills, mountains and cross-country paths for hill walkers and backpackers. For an overview Walk Highlands is a useful resource.

WATERSPORTS
The Cromarty and Moray Firths offer lots of opportunities for watersports such as sailing, sea canoeing, windsurfing, diving and, of course, sea angling. There are a number of visitor moorings at Cromarty which are located directly opposite the Apartment. Pontoon facilities within the harbour are available  - contact Cromarty Harbour Trust for details.

The Cromarty Boat Club is based at Cromarty, and is an excellent location with the relatively sheltered sailing potential of the Cromarty Firth and the more exposed and demanding  conditions of the Moray Firth.