The rolling landscape of the Black Isle is known for its rich farmland and array of wildlife that includes red kites, ospreys and deer, as well as otters, seals and dolphins out in the surrounding waters.

The village of Culbokie is only 3 miles away where there is a small grocery shop/PO and a pub that serves meals. The RSPB reserve at Udale Bay is great for bird watchers and there is even a hide where you can discreetly sit and observe the pink-footed geese, redshanks and pintails, amongst many others.

Just 3 miles along the road the Cromarty Bridge allows you to cross over the Cromarty Firth and venture further into Easter Ross. Dingwall (8.5 miles) is the best place for supermarket shopping and also has a train station, petrol station and leisure centre with a swimming pool. Permits are available for fishing on the Brahan Estate near Maryburgh and whisky enthusiasts will want to fit in a visit to the Glen Ord Distillery (12 miles) where they produce the Black Isle’s only single malt whisky.

For more of an adrenalin-filled day out the Wildwoodz Paintball Park (10 miles) offers archery, paintball, laser tag and even axe throwing activities! There is a lovely sandy beach at Rosemarkie (12.5 miles) with impressive rock stacks and sea caves where archaeological digs were carried out, finding that some of them were inhabited as far back as 300BC.

Bike hire is available from Rosemarkie or Fortrose and there are lots of picturesque routes nearby that just beg to be explored on two wheels. Mountain biking enthusiasts will love the Learnie Red Rock mountain biking trails a few miles out of Rosemarkie where there are trails for all different ages and abilities. One absolute must is a trip out to Chanonry Point (12.5 miles), where there is an expansive view of the Moray Firth that is known as one of the best places in the whole of Europe to spot dolphins.

Heading south you cross over the North Kessock Bridge, which is yet another prime site for dolphin spotting, arriving at Inverness (15.5 miles). The city has a well-served airport and plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as some beautiful Botanic Gardens that are just a short walk from the city centre.