The Mill House, Shoremill, Cromarty

About the Area

The Black Isle is a promontory lying between the Moray Firth in the south and the Cromarty Firth in the North. The area is famous for its gently rolling countryside, dry climate and delightful coastal villages. Cromarty, about 1 mile from Mill House, is said to be one of the best preserved 18th Century villages in Scotland and offers a good range of services. The amenities include grocery shops, butchers, fishmonger, all day pubs, restaurants, cafes, bank, post office, garage and a Pictish museum.

The Black Isle is a short drive from the capital of the Highlands, Inverness which makes Mill House an ideal base for day tripping around the Highlands.

Inverness Castle

Loch Ness and the legendary monster is only 40 minutes drive away, and the spectacular scenery of the west coast is less than 2 hours journey.

Within a short distance is some of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in Britain, varying from wide sandy beaches to rugged mountains, offering excellent sporting and recreational opportunities as well as providing a habitat for many rare species of wildlife and flora.

Dolphin cruises, pony trekking, indoor leisure centre, 18 hole golf course, tennis courts, bowling green, fishing and sailing are all within 7 miles/12km of the house.

Local Amenities

The amenities include grocery shops, butchers, fishmonger, all day pubs, restaurants, cafes, bank, post office, garage, Pictish museum.

The surrounding area offers a wide variety of country pursuits with the South Wood providing lovely walks, sea walks and the South Sutor on the far side of the bay providing spectacular views over seven counties.

Udale Bay nearby is home to a wide variety of wildlife and is of international importance for birds with thousands of duck, geese and waders wintering here.

The shores of Eathie also nearby are home to many fossils and a rich variety of plant life whilst the Moray Firth is of course home to three populations of bottlenosed dolphins.

The Town of Cromarty

Cromarty is more than just an 18th century town in stasis. For modern travellers and holidaymakers it can provide a wealth of attractions: sandy beaches, unusual architecture, Bottlenose Dolphins, eating places, a multi-award winning museum, beautiful countryside, wildlife, and bird reserves of international importance, to name but a few.

Things to do

Dolphin cruises, pony trekking, indoor leisure centre, 18 hole golf course, tennis courts, a bowling green, fishing and sailing are all within 7 miles/12km of Mill House and salmon jumping, lochs, castles, whisky distilleries, mountains and glens can all be explored on a day out.

Poyntzfield Herb Nursery, four miles to the west has over 400 culinary and medicinal plants for sale, and is well worth a visit.

Two miles the other side of the ferry (summer only) lies Nigg Old Church, a fine example of a Scottish parish church housing a magnificent Pictish stone of the late eighth century, carved with Pictish symbols and Christian imagery.

From the ferry, or perhaps from the beach or harbour you may catch site of the local Dolphins. Boat trips from the town can be arranged with the local company, Dolphin Ecosse.

Visit mysterious and awesome Loch Ness, and Urquhart Castle (around 40 minutes drive), judge for yourself the legend of the monster!

Take a drive to the west Coast through spectacular scenery, Skye, Ullapool, Fort William, Fort Augustus are all within easy reach.

If you do nothing else just come to luxuriate in the peace and tranquillity, marvel at the clear night skies and, if you are lucky, catch a spectacular display of the Northern Lights.

A great hit for kids is Landmark, a forest theme park, less then an hour drive down the A9. Very good value and fun for everyone; timber trail, rope bridges and amazing waterslides to name but a few attractions.

The Black Isle Brewery and Black Isle Wildlife Park are both well worth a visit.

Included in the many leisure activities are cycling pony trekking, quad biking, fishing, bird watching and a superb 18 hole golf course. There is so much to do in the area without travelling far at all