Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Portmahomack
POP 600
Portmahomack is a former fishing village in a flawless spot - right off the beaten track
and gazing across the water at sometimes snowcapped peaks. The best place to enjoy the
town is the grassy foreshore at the far end of Main St, near the little harbour.
The intriguing
Tarbat Discovery Centre
(
01862-871351;
www.tarbat-discov-
Mon-Sat Apr & Oct, also 2-5pm Sun Jun-Oct)
has some excellent carved Pictish stones.
The foundations of an Iron Age settlement were discovered around the village church; on-
going investigation revealed a Pictish monastery and evidence of production of illumin-
ated manuscripts. The exhibition is excellent and includes the church's spooky crypt.
Seafood aficionados shouldn't miss the bright and cheerful
Oystercatcher Restaurant
(
01862-871560;
www.the-oystercatcher.co.uk
;
Main St; lunch mains £8-14, dinner
mains £15-20; lunch Thu-Sun, dinner Wed-Sat Apr-Oct)
. There's a bistro menu at
lunchtime, where you can choose your serving size, and a classy brasserie evening menu
with lots of lobster available, among other delights. It also offers three cosy rooms (single/
double/superior double £45/77/108). The rates include what has to be the most amazing
breakfast in Scotland, with numerous gourmet options.
Stagecoach Inverness
(
www.stagecoachbus.com
)
runs from Tain to Portmahomack (25
minutes, four to five Monday to Friday).
Bonar Bridge & Around
The A9 crosses the Dornoch Firth, on a bridge and causeway, near Tain. An alternative
route goes around the firth via the tiny settlements of Ardgay, where you'll find a train
station, and Bonar Bridge, where the A836 to Lairg branches west.
Sights & Activities
Croick
From Ardgay, a single-track road leads 10 miles up Strathcarron to Croick, the scene of
notorious evictions during the 1845 Clearances. You can still see the evocative messages
scratched by refugee crofters from Glencalvie on the eastern windows of
Croick Church
.
HISTORIC SITE
