Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
privately owned area of land in Europe, covering 6070 square kilometres, and around
15,000 people were evicted from their homes to make way for sheep.
This classic fairy-tale castle is adorned with towers and turrets, but only 22 of its 187
rooms are on display, with hunting trophies much to the fore. The exhibits also include in-
numerable gifts from farm tenants (probably grateful they weren't victims of the Clear-
ances).
Beautiful formal gardens, where impressive falconry displays take place two or three
times a day, extend down to the sea. Also found in the gardens is the house's museum,
which offers an eclectic mix of archaeological finds, natural-history exhibits, more non-
PC animal remains and an excellent collection of Pictish stones found in Sutherland, in-
cluding the fine pre-Christian Dunrobin Stone.
Highland Wildcat
(
www.highlandwildcat.com
;
Big Burn Car Park; car parking £5; dawn-dusk)
The
expert-only black trail at Highland Wildcat is famous among UK mountain bikers for hav-
ing the highest single-track descent in the country (a 390m drop over 7km from the top of
Ben Bhraggie almost to sea level). There's plenty for beginners and families too, with a
scenic blue trail and some easy forest routes. No bike hire or other facilities.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Sleeping
Blar Mhor££
(
01408-633609;
www.blarmhor.co.uk
; Drummuie Rd; s/d/f £35/60/80; )
On
the approach into Golspie from Dornoch is this excellent guest house with large, beauti-
fully kept rooms with swish modern bathrooms in a towering Victorian mansion. There
are beautifully landscaped gardens and the hosts, who'll brighten your stay with little ex-
tras like chocolates on the bed, are cheerful and helpful.
B&B
Getting There & Away
Buses between Inverness and Thurso stop in Golspie. There are also trains from Inverness
(£16.90, 2¼ hours, two or three daily) to Golspie and Dunrobin Castle.
