The area has a great deal to offer visitors. Within 15 miles there are some lovely, quiet sandy beaches, excellent golf courses (including the Royal Dornoch Championship Links) and good fishing in the local rivers and lochs such as the Oykel, Cassely, Carron, Tarvie and Achilty.

You can take wildlife cruises in the Cromarty Firth from North Kessock and view the dolphins for which the area is famous, and where there are also riding stables. Dornoch (14m) is a beautiful little town, with, in addition to its golf course, a lovely cathedral and fabulous sandy beach. About 16 miles up the coast at Brora, is the Clynelish distillery where you can taste and buy one of the finest and most hard to come by of malt whiskies. The better known Glenmorangie Distillery is closer by still at Tain.

At Ardgay too, you are excellently placed for heading both north and west. North to John O' Groats (visit the Queen Mother's beloved Castle of Mey, or even pop over to Orkney while you're there) and west to Ullapool (47m) and Lochinver where the glorious mountains of Suilven and Stac Pollaidh beg to be climbed, or viewed at the very least! You can go even further northwest to Cape Wrath, mainland Scotland's northernmost tip.

There is an hotel, shop and railway halt at Ardgay and Inverness has all facilities. The area especially attracts a wide range of waders and winter wildfowl including widgeon and whooper swans as well as various types of ducks and geese, who love to congregate at the sandy shore not far from the cottage. Birdwatchers will be pleased to hear that the passionate owner of Mid Fearn is working to encourage these migratory birds to continue their yearly visits and is establishing a haven for these feathered guests.