🗺️ NC500 Attractions

Chanonry Point on the Black Isle is one of the finest places in Europe to watch bottlenose dolphins from the shore. The headland juts into the Moray Firth at a narrow channel where the tidal currents concentrate fish — particularly sa…

Glen Ord Distillery sits in the quiet farming country of Muir of Ord on the Black Isle, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland. Founded in 1838, it was for many years one of Scotland's most important suppliers of malt to the blending industry. Toda…

Redcastle is one of the oldest castle sites on the NC500, with origins dating to the 12th century when it was said to be built by William the Lion. The castle stands on the southern shore of the Beauly Firth on the Black Isle, in various states of ruin after centuries…

Kilcoy Castle is a well-preserved 16th-century Z-plan tower house in the interior of the Black Isle, built by the Mackenzie family around 1618. The castle is notable for its strikingly intact round towers at diagonally opposite corners — the hallmark of Z-plan c…

Fortrose Cathedral is a beautiful ruin in the heart of Fortrose town on the Black Isle, the remains of a 13th-century cathedral dedicated to St Peter and St Boniface. The building was largely demolished in the 17th century when Cromwell's forces used the stone to build Inverness Citadel…

Rosemarkie Beach is a beautiful sandy cove on the Moray Firth coast of the Black Isle, backed by dramatic red sandstone cliffs that give the beach its distinctive warm colouring. The beach is exceptionally popular for dolphin watching — the resident Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins regularly pass …