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What to See and Do………….
It is difficult to find a place to start!
Please go to the links page for further assistance, but here are a few ideas!
To begin with, Creag Ruadh Cottage is located pretty much in the centre of the Northern Highlands. Whilst it is remote, and ideal for outdoor pursuits such as walking, fishing, and bird watching, it is also a good base for sightseeing and engaging in those outdoor pursuits further a field. Above all, the peace and tranquillity of Strathconon makes it a great place to relax!
Click here for map of the area
TOURISM
The Highland Capital, Inverness is only 40mins away. Places to visit include the castle and Museum, St Andrews Cathedral and the Ness Islands. It’s a good place to shop…and eat! Within easy reach of Inverness is Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal. To the east is Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and the Queens Own Highlanders Regimental Museum.
Visit www.aboutinverness.co.uk for more info.
If it’s scenery you enjoy, then take a drive to Glen Torridon, or perhaps visit Applecross for lunch at it’s award winning inn. En route, you can pass through the Bealach-Na-Ba, or the pass of the cattle. It’s a challenging drive along Britain’s highest public road, but the views at the top are magnificent in good weather. Another scenic route takes you through Glen Sheil, and past the majestic Five Sisters of Kintail.
The Isle of Skye and it’s famous Cuillin mountains are also within reach for a day trip.
Other places to consider, are The Black Isle and Cromarty, the ancient Burghs of Fortrose, and further north Dornoch, with their ancient cathedrals. Closer to the cottage is the famous spa village of Strathpeffer and nearby Castle Leod. Picturesque Beauly is also close by, with it’s historic abbey….and the Made in Scotland Shop. At Muir of Ord, you will find the Glen Ord Distillery Visitor Centre which is well worth a visit! In short, whatever takes your fancy is within easy reach!
WALKING AND CLIMBING
For the casual walker, there are plenty of pleasant easy walks in Strathconon itself to enjoy. For the more adventurous, Strathconon’s mountain rim offers a variety of challenges. The Corbett Sgurr a Mhullin and the nearby Lambs Peak are accessible from directly outside the cottage. There are also a number of other longer distance paths originating in the glen. For the munro baggers, Ben Wyvis is within easy reach. Further a field are the Fannichs, the North Strathfarrar Ridge, Torridon and An Teallach, with it’s two munros and eight tops.
BIRD AND WILDLIFE WATCHING
There are excellent opportunities for bird watching in Strathconon itself, with species such as buzzard and the golden eagle in evidence. There is also an abundance of smaller species often visible from the cottage.
Easter Ross is a superb birding area at any time of year. In a fairly small area there are a wide variety of habitats supporting a large number of species. Even on farm land many species, like Grey Partridge. Skylark, Linnet. Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow, which are in severe decline elsewhere, still remain abundant. Corn Bunting and Quail are still found in small numbers each year. Bird watching at any time of year will not disappoint you and you may well find that, at many of these sites, you are the sole birder.
The red and sika deer population is much in evidence. The rut in October is an interesting time with the roar of the stags echoing around the glen. It is not unusual to find a stag grazing outside the window at this time.
Pine martens, red squirrels and other small mammals also populate Easter Ross , and you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive wildcat!
For otters, try Kylerhea otter haven on Skye, or Loch Eye near Tain in late summer.
GOLF
Some of Scotland’s finest courses are within reach. There are 46 testing courses in the Highlands. These include some of the world's greatest links courses . (Royal Dornoch, Brora, Nairn and Tain to name a few) The famous Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle is also a favourite.
The celebrated course architects, James Braid and Old Tom Morris have left their mark in this part of the world. Although a number of their courses have been upgraded to meet the demands of the modern golfer. Whatever your handicap or experience there’s something for you!
FISHING
The River Meig runs directly behind the Cottage, and within easy reach are Lochs Meig and Beannacharain. Good for brown trout with permits available locally. Further down the Glen, the River Conon is equally popular. Other locations include The River Beauly and the Tarvie Lochs trout fishery, three natural lochs in superb scenery. There are numerous other Loch and river locations within easy reach of the cottage.
See www.fishing-uk-scotland.com/
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