Portmahomack is an unspoilt village nestling around a sandy bay. It is the only village on the East coast of Scotland with a West-facing harbour.

The bay is safe for swimmers and water sports in that there are no currents but, be warned, the water is cold!! Our dolphins and otters don’t mind this though.

There are plenty of pleasant walks in the immediate area with Tarbatness lighthouse (the second highest on the mainland of Scotland) only 3 miles away and the quaint village of Rockfield at the foot of the cliffs only a mile distant. Bird spotting is very rewarding all around the area.

There is a 9-hole golf course with a popular tea-room operated from the clubhouse. The Tarbat Discovery Centre, one of the most important Pictish archaeological sites found in recent times is only a few hundred yards away.

The Castle Hotel serves good pub meals and there is a lovely  tearoom in the Carnegie Hall. For special occasions The Oystercatcher restaurant is hard to beat for sea food and their lunches are good value.

There is a Post Office in the well-stocked shop where locally baked rolls can be purchased if you are quick.

Tain is only 9 miles away, with shops, museum, 18-hole golf course and lots of walks. Dornoch is just another 6 miles past Tain across the Dornoch Bridge. Inverness city is 45 miles South. 

• .
•