With 189 rooms, it’s the largest great house in the Highlands. Rather than a brutal defensive powerhouse, expect French chateau chic with formal gardens inspired by the elegance of Versailles.
This picturesque castle is open from April 1 to October 31 and also includes a museum set within a former Summer House and daily falconry displays.
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For a slice of natural beauty, hit the beach at Portmahomack, Dornoch (above), or Brora – visitors are spoiled for choice. Alternatively, head inland to the Falls of Shin, where a viewing platform allows guests to see the waterfall in full flow and spot occasional salmon.
READ MORE: These are the best beaches in Scotland you can enjoy no matter the weather
Go rural at Dalmore Farm in Alness, where a farm shop and café sell local produce and kids can delight at the Children’s Farm and Playpark, which opens for the season in March. Older children may prefer the fishing, footgolf, laser clay shooting, and pitch and putt at Davochfin Farm in Dornoch, while experienced golfers head to the Royal Dornoch, Brora, Golspie, or Tain courses. On rainy days, make a splash with the family at Invergordon Leisure Centre.
On a more grown-up note, toast your “Faithful” friends at a host of Highland whisky experiences. Dalmore Distillery in Alness hopes to open its new visitor experience later in 2025, so watch this space.
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Clynelish Whisky Distillery in Brora (above) ferments barley that’s malted in the northern Highlands, combined with water from the Clynemilton Burn. Book a tour or simply chill out in the bar and take in the sea views. Try a dram or two at the Carnegie Whisky Cellar and Tasting Vault in Dornoch, which combines a whisky shop with a tasting room.
Another hotspot is the bar at Dornoch Castle Hotel, which is home to around 400 whiskies. There’s even a micro-distillery in the backyard. Spend more time in Dornoch by visiting the cathedral (below) where Madonna had her son Rocco christened.
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Other famous names associated with the area include author Rosamunde Pilcher. She lived in Dornoch’s Pilcher Bank House, and her novel Winter Solstice is largely set in and around the town, and Andrew Carnegie, who transformed nearby Skibo Castle.
Enjoy shopping at Dornoch Jail (jail-dornoch.com), where quality boutiques are housed in former prison cells. Look out for Sheila Fleet jewellery, clothing by House of Cheviot, Barbour and Harley of Scotland, and toiletries by the Highland Soap Company, Scottish Fine Soaps, and Arran Sense of Scotland.
Finally, enjoy the Highland larder and a slice of history at Dornoch’s Greens at the Courthouse. The courthouse was originally designed by Scottish architect Thomas Brown in the Scottish Victorian renaissance style and has since been transformed into a relaxed restaurant.
Continue in a historical vein on the Dornoch History Links Trail and visit the History Links Museum to learn local tales of witches, Vikings, and Picts. At the end of the day, rest up in the stylish four-star Royal Marine Hotel in Brora (royalmarinebrora.com).
This NC500 bolthole is situated minutes from the shore, offering both stylish hotel rooms and fully serviced self-catering Highland apartments and villa accommodation.
Grab an aperitif at the Royal Marine’s Megan Boyd Bar, named after the renowned fishing fly-tyer who grew up in Brora. Dine heartily at the hotel’s Curing Yard restaurant, which dishes up afternoon tea and a Highland Coast Sunday Lunch.
The nightly à la carte menu also delivers – think starters such as locally smoked mackerel; a duo of Highland beef with dauphinoise potatoes as a main; and a sweet treat such as Highland Coast winter crumble to finish.
End the night with a dram in the Braid Lounge by the fireside, named after revered local golf course designer James Braid. The following day, let the wind swirl outside as you take shelter in the Royal Marine’s Blisss Spa for indulgent pampering before heading outside to taste the tang of sea salt in the air.
For those now faithful to the area, a tempting option could be to simply keep on going. The 147-mile-long John O’Groats Trail offers up miles of stunning coastal hikes in bite-sized chunks, from Inverness to John O’ Groats, cutting right through Brora (jogt.org.uk).
This is such a beautiful part of the world, why stop now?