Just beyond the cottage is Udale Bay, which is famous for its bird life and where there is an RSPB reserve (only one of several such sites, for example, Munlochy Bay on the Black Isle).

It is just 8 miles from the unique and picturesque village of Cromarty, where you can wander along the little lanes between the cottages and, in summer, become quite intoxicated by the scent of the flowers in the cottage gardens.

Down the south side of the peninsula are the pretty towns of Rosemarkie/Fortrose and the village of Avoch (pronounced Och). Fortrose has a ruined abbey and you can walk or drive out to the famous Chanonry Point, arguably the best spot in Europe for dolphin spotting as the pods pass through the narrows here on their way to the inner Sound. On this bit of land there is also a well-known golf course, designed by James Braid, which, lying as it does between the gorse and the sea, will challenge the prowess of even the most skilful golfer.

To the east of this is the Black Isle Wildlife Park and the Black Isle Brewery, an essential refuelling stop for all those with a taste for a superb range of beers. At the Tore roundabout, where you join the A9 at the base of the peninsula, look out for the red kites which have recently been reintroduced there.

That takes you back onto the 'mainland' where you have the delights of Inverness, the Moray Coast, Loch Ness and Glen Affric to choose from. If that is not enough, you can head north to the glorious beaches and championship golf course at Dornoch, or even further to John o'Groats and the very north coast. Or westward to Skye and the beauties of the north-west coast. With excellent road connections in all directions, you really will have plenty to choose from.