Dornoch & Scottish Highlands Drive (Guided in French)
Points of Interest
- Dornoch
Description
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
Your adventure begins as you board your motorcoach for a scenic ride through the gentle farmland punctuated by meandering firths and tiny villages and heather-filled highlands on your way to the Falls of Shin. Along the way, you'll stop at the picturesque Struie Viewpoint. The locals call it 'Millionaires View' with its panoramic highland vistas.
After a pause for photos, you'll continue through Ardgay an important area during the Highland Clearances. Here there will be a short comfort stop before continuing on through Bonar Bridge, which is popular for fishing holidays. Before turning off to Shin Falls we pass the imposing Carbisdale Castle built for a Duchess of Sutherland. It was also where King Haakon of Norway lived in exile when Norway was occupied The castle has windows, one for every day of the year and an extra one for a leap year. Until relatively recently it was a Youth Hostel but has now been sold for private use. Then on to the River Shin, one of the greatest salmon rivers in all of Scotland. You may get to see the Atlantic salmon as they make their journey upstream to their spawning site. Take a walk on the short path down to the 'Falls,' a series of small cascades over which the salmon leap.
From the Falls, you'll re-board your motorcoach and watch as the scenery turns to wild moorland with views of the mountains as you drive east through Spinningdale and approach Dornoch. This seaside resort town boasts the Old Town Jail, now a gift shop, the previous Bishop's Palace, now a well-known hotel, Dornoch Castle. You'll have free time to explore on your own. Stroll down the tree-lined streets and take in the weathered stone houses, or visit the cathedral, which dates from 1224 where you can see various points of interest including an angel playing the bagpipes..
Your tour concludes with fine views of the moors before returning to Invergordon and your ship.
Special Notes:
The drive between Invergordon and Shin Falls is approximately one hour each way.Access to Falls of Shin requires significant walking and steps. Access to Dornoch Cathedral is sometimes restricted due to Church services, weddings, or funerals.
Bring local currency or credit cards for additional purchases - credit cards are accepted in a majority of shops, but not all.
Child Price:
12 & under reducedTour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.
Depart from ship for free time in Dornoch
- Transport type:
- Non Air Conditioned Motorcoach
- Transport Capacity:
- 45
- Travel time:
- 00:45
- Time at site:
- 00:45
- Free time at site:
- 45
- Inside visit:
- No
- Air conditioned:
- No
- Wheelchair accessible:
- Yes
- Restroom available:
- Yes
- Shopping available:
- Yes
- Photo/video restrictions:
- No
- Photo/video opportunity:
- Yes
Comfort stop at Ardgay Station
- Transport type:
- Non Air Conditioned Motorcoach
- Transport Capacity:
- 45
- Travel time:
- 00:50
- Time at site:
- 00:15
- Inside visit:
- No
- Air conditioned:
- No
- Wheelchair accessible:
- Yes
- Restroom available:
- Yes
- Photo/video restrictions:
- No
- Photo/video opportunity:
- No
View Falls of Shin
- Transport type:
- Non Air Conditioned Motorcoach
- Transport Capacity:
- 45
- Travel time:
- 00:10
- Time at site:
- 00:15
- Free time at site:
- 15
- Inside visit:
- No
- Air conditioned:
- No
- Walking distance:
- 400
- Steps:
- 20
- Wheelchair accessible:
- No
- Restroom available:
- No
- Shopping available:
- No
- Photo/video restrictions:
- No
- Photo/video opportunity:
- Yes
Re-board your motorcoach and return to your ship via Struie Viewpoint
- Transport type:
- Non Air Conditioned Motorcoach
- Transport Capacity:
- 45
- Travel time:
- 01:00
- Inside visit:
- No
- Air conditioned:
- No
- Wheelchair accessible:
- No
- Shopping available:
- No
- Photo/video restrictions:
- No
- Photo/video opportunity:
- No