Portmahomack experiences low levels of rainfall and high levels of sunshine that create a microclimate that is ideal for seaside breaks. The long stretch of beach just begs to be explored, with rock pools providing entertainment when the tide is out and some magnificent sunsets to admire in the evenings.

The famous Oystercatcher restaurant on the seafront has a wide array of fresh local seafood on offer and the village shop/PO is just a couple of doors further along. If you are interested in history the Tarbat Discovery Centre museum, housed in a former church, recounts the tale of the village’s Pictish history and has lots of interesting artefacts on display.

Fishing is available at the Stoneyfield Lochs Trout Fishery (18.5 miles) where equipment hire is also available or you could try sea fishing directly from the sea shore. Hollingwells Equestrian (14.5 miles) offers trail riding and pony trekking across different terrains and even along the beach.

Tain (10 miles) is the best place to stock up on supplies with three different supermarkets to choose from and it also has a pretty 9 hole golf course that is the only links course in the area.

Whisky enthusiasts will find themselves very well placed in Portmahomack with a total of 6 distilleries nearby! In particular the famous Glenmorangie Distillery (11 miles) and the Balblair Distillery (15.5 miles) are in easy reach and offer tours and tastings for those fond of a ‘wee dram’.

The lighthouse at the head of the Tarbat Ness peninsula is the third tallest in Britain and is a great place to stop for a picnic and sit on the rocks admiring the spectacular view whilst keeping an eye out for seabirds, otters, seals and dolphins. There is a picturesque circular walking route from Portmahomack that leads up around the coast to the tip of the peninsula and loops back round, taking in the lighthouse along the way.