http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Cycling on the Black isle en Wed, 27 May 2026 11:04:04 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-239727 Fri, 23 Dec 2016 18:52:53 +0000 chdot 239727@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/works-of-hugh-miller-inspires-nts-celebration-of-heroes-1-4321804" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/works-of-hugh-miller-inspires-nts-celebration-of-heroes-1-4321804</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-228015 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 13:48:31 +0000 c30c60 228015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Rosemarkie was totally midge-free, even on very still evenings. It's almost enough to shift my loyalty from the west coast. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-228013 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 13:29:09 +0000 fimm 228013@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Too windy for midges? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-228005 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:50:05 +0000 c30c60 228005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks for all the tips. Cycling and weather both delightful. No dolphins, but did see a kite buzzing the cathedral in Fortrose, and a porpoise making the fish jump when we nipped over to the Summer Isles. The little brother of Sutor Creek cafe was excellent: <a href="http://www.sutorcreek.co.uk/coupers-creek.asp" rel="nofollow">http://www.sutorcreek.co.uk/coupers-creek.asp</a> Also the Rosemarkie museum of Pictish carvings. And absolutely no midges! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227597 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 11:12:43 +0000 daisydaisy 227597@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you get the ferry over to Nigg, it might be nice to cycle up to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilton_of_Cadboll_Stone">Hilton of Cadboll Stone</a>. The actual one is in the museum of Scotland, but the replica's very nice. The roads from Nigg to Hilton are small, quiet ones. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227071 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:22:20 +0000 c30c60 227071@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As an aside, the Raptor Persecution site linked from IWRATS's post leads to a couple of petitions:</p> <p>Ban driven grouse shooting - <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125003" rel="nofollow">https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125003</a> (closes 20 Sep)</p> <p>State regulated licensing system for gamebird hunting in Scotland - <a href="http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01615" rel="nofollow">http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01615</a> (closes 22 Aug) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227058 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:41:01 +0000 gembo 227058@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Good number of kites at loch Ken in Dumfries and Galloway. There is a centre from which you can observe them nearby and when sunny and someone goes water skiing you might think you were on the French Riviera.</p> <p>Big wings but wee claws so only really ear a mouse or carrion your Kite. Majestic bird. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227057 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:35:43 +0000 I were right about that saddle 227057@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@c30c60</p> <p>Kites, like any predator, tend to have cyclical population trends. They're mainly carrion eaters though, so more stable than many others. </p> <p>Driven bird shooting estates are <a href="https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/">not a habitat on which anything with a hooked beak flourishes.</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227054 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:30:17 +0000 Cyclingmollie 227054@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We've been a couple of times. There's a cafe in a second-hand bookshop in Cromarty - you literally sit among the book-shelves - which we liked. The Cromarty ferry we thought a bit small, to the extent that we all got out the car in case it sank. There's a creepy "clootie well" though I forget where - best to just come across it perhaps, in thick mist. We drove up Strathglass/Glen Affric; that would have been amazing on a bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227052 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:27:31 +0000 c30c60 227052@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks very much for the suggestions, folks. All sound good!</p> <p>But I’m sad to hear kite numbers are down. Any idea why? Any connection with the Inglorious 12th? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227039 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 12:35:09 +0000 I were right about that saddle 227039@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Kites much less numerous this year than previous years, but it would be odd to see none if you're near the Tore roundabout.</p> <p>Chanonry point (go at lowish tide and wait for dolphins to come in closer and closer...) and Cromarty both musts. Avoch good for wildlife too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227037 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 12:21:43 +0000 Cyclingmollie 227037@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You may not see kites - <a href="http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/RSPB-reveals-shock-Black-Isle-red-kite-death-figures-18122015.htm">here's why</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227027 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 11:29:57 +0000 amir 227027@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went some time ago but my strategy was just to get an OS map and wander. </p> <p>It is definitely worth going to see the dolphins. You might see kites in parts. We also saw ospreys fishing on the Cromarty Firth (near the long road bridge).</p> <p>Cromarty is pretty. And you can get the Nigg ferry for extra adventure. There's nice cycling up the hills north of the Cromarty Firth. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-227019 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 10:59:42 +0000 kaputnik 227019@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You need to be at Channonry Point on the turn of the tide to get the dolphin action. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-226985 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 21:42:37 +0000 chdot 226985@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Went about 5 years ago.</p> <p>Went here - <a href="http://www.sutorcreek.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.sutorcreek.co.uk</a> (though not sure if was called that then.)</p> <p>Traffic on 'main road' was a bit fast at times.</p> <p>Didn't spot any dolphins.</p> <p>Worth a visit - <a href="http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Hugh-Millers-Birthplace-Cottage-and-Museum" rel="nofollow">http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Hugh-Millers-Birthplace-Cottage-and-Museum</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16721#post-226982 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 20:22:48 +0000 c30c60 226982@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I’m staying at Rosemarkie on the Black Isle next week and I’m looking for ideas for routes of 30-60 miles. </p> <p>There are suggestions here, but extra info would be appreciated: <a href="https://blackislebicycles.co.uk/home_and_about_us/routes_and_guides/" rel="nofollow">https://blackislebicycles.co.uk/home_and_about_us/routes_and_guides/</a> </p> <p>Cafe recommendations very welcome too! </p> <p>Thanks for any tips. </p>