Visit Cromarty on the Black Isle for a fantastic day trip from Inverness

Cromarty is a historic harbour town on the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands, around 25 miles from Inverness. A real hidden gem, with beautifully preserved Georgian streets, creative community and views across the Cromarty Firth, it makes an excellent day trip from Inverness for visitors exploring the Highlands.

For travellers exploring the Highlands who want to discover places beyond the busiest tourist destinations, Cromarty is one of the most rewarding small towns to visit near Inverness.

Why Cromarty is one of the best day trips from Inverness

Cromarty is a really special town, one of the most underrated places in the Scottish Highlands, and makes a perfect day trip from Inverness. Here you’ll find history, culture, nature, nice people, special shops, eateries and plenty of coastal and woodland walks. We also have lots of special events, such as a film festival and open gardens day.

Visitors often come for the historic streets, wildlife watching, coastal & woodland walks, and independent shops / galleries, making it an ideal destination if you want to experience a quieter side of the Highlands.

If you’re in the area for the epic road trip the NC500, you should definitely consider stopping by in the summer, as there is a tiny short ferry that runs from Cromarty on the Black Isle to Nigg every 30 minutes.

How Long Should You Spend in Cromarty?

Most visitors spend 2 – 5 hours exploring Cromarty, although many stay longer to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. There are various options for staying overnight, including a community owned campervan site.

The town is small enough to explore easily on foot for a few hours but has enough character and scenery to fill multiple days.

When to Visit

Cromarty is particularly lively between spring and early autumn, when galleries, cafés, and local events are open. There are nice events in the run up to Christmas too, and with the longer nights there’s the chance to see the Northern Lights. Summer also offers the best chances for wildlife spotting.

Things to do in Cromarty

  • Explore the Historic Streets: Cromarty is famous for its rows of traditional fishermen’s cottages, many dating back to the 18th century. The town has one of the best preserved historic streetscapes in the Highlands.

  • Visit Local Galleries and Studios: Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands has a surprisingly strong creative community, with artists and craftspeople working locally. Many studios and small galleries are open during the visitor season, alongside frequent exhibitions at the venue ‘The Stables’.

  • Walk on the Cromarty beach and harbour: Cromarty’s harbour area is a quiet place to relax, watch boats, or take a coastal walk.The shoreline offers beautiful views and frequent wildlife sightings. Visitors on a day trip from Inverness often spot dolphins, seabirds & seals.

  • Visit our museums, there are two: The Courthouse Museum and Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage and Museum

  • Walk the South Sutor: If you fancy a fairly sturdy walk with amazing views, look out for the ‘100 steps’ walk, which is circular and takes about 1 - 1.5 hrs.

  • Visit the Cromarty Pottery - the oldest pottery in the Scottish Highlands

 

Why Visit Cromarty from Inverness?

As a day trip from Inverness, Cromarty offers something very different from the city atmosphere.

Highlights include:

  • A beautifully preserved historic townscape: be sure to wander the streets of Fishertown, and head into the East Church at the end of Church Street.

  • Independent galleries, shop and lots of options for food including two pubs, a coffeeshop, bakery, general shop and restaurant

  • Scenic walks along the Cromarty Firth and through beautiful woodland

  • Opportunities to spot bottlenose dolphins & seals

  • Thriving culture: Cromarty boasts its own cinema, and the Cromarty Arts Trust runs regular workshops, events and concerts. We also have a Crime & Thriller Book Festival and a Film Festival. There are regular exhibitions by local artists, and community events such as the Open Gardens Day and Regattas. Oh - and two museums!

  • A great place to focus on wellbeing, there is a peaceful harbour and beach, nice circular walks, and a community sauna (needs to be booked!). For those who are brave enough you can dip in the sea for some wild swimming.

Not bad for a town of 750 people - Come and visit one of less touristy places near Loch Ness

Because Cromarty is compact and walkable, it works particularly well as a half-day or full-day trip from Inverness.

Around Cromarty

If you come by car, and have a bit more time on your day trip from Inverness, you can add the following places near Cromarty to visit

  • Fifteen minutes along the road towards Jemimaville is Udale Bay, a fantastic bird sanctuary with RSPB hide and in the right season you can see thousands of waders, ducks and geese. Pop into the restored Kirkmichael Church

  • Are you a fan of BBC’s TV hit ‘The Traitors’? This was filmed at Ardross Castle, in Alness, just 30 minutes from Inverness. Rumour has it that presenter Claudia Winkleman stays at the amazing Newhall Mains on the Black Isle - their Sunday Lunch is a real treat, and they can organise special activities like Light Aircraft Flights from their own flight strip.

  • If you aren’t afraid of a bit of a hill, Eathie Beach is a spectacular walk, with an interesting Bothy to visit too.

  • Fortrose is a full day in itself with great cafe’s, beach walking, golfing and cute shops.

  • Poyntzfield Herb Nursery are specialists in organically grown herb plants - as all the plants are grown right by the sea, it makes them extra tough too. It’s a lovely setting to wander around a walled garden.

Top Day Trips from Inverness

  • Cromarty: While many visitors to the Highlands focus on famous destinations such as Loch Ness, the historic town of Cromarty remains one of the region’s true hidden gems.

  • Fortrose: Another great place on the Black Isle, the best place in the UK to spot dolphins. Best chance of seeing them is an hour or so after low tide.

  • Nairn: A charming seaside town east of Inverness with sandy beaches, a traditional harbour, and excellent opportunities for dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth.

  • Dornoch: A historic town known for its beautiful beach and the medieval Dornoch Cathedral. Did you know that Madonna was married here?

  • Aviemore: A popular base for outdoor adventures in the Cairngorms National Park, offering walking, cycling, wildlife watching, and access to the Cairngorm Mountain.

  • Ullapool: A lively harbour town on the west coast with spectacular scenery, seafood restaurants, and a gateway to the dramatic landscapes of the northwest Highlands.

  • Findhorn: A small coastal village known for its wide sandy beach and the eco-community of the Findhorn Foundation.

  • Forres: a bit further out but the quirky museum “The House of Automata” is well worth a visit, especially on a dreary Scottish day.

A Perfect Day Trip from Inverness

Morning
Visit Fortrose and walk along the beach near Chanonry Point, one of the best dolphin-spotting locations in the Highlands. If it’s open, grab a coffee and tasty treat from Bakhoos Bakery

Midday
Continue East through the Black Isle countryside to Cromarty to explore its historic streets, independent shops (Including the oldest pottery in the Highlands) and harbour.

Afternoon
Visit the local museums (Courthouse Museum and Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage & Museum), the East Church, walk along the beach to view interesting shoreline of the Cromarty Firth, with its parked oil rigs and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Evening
Grab a bite to eat at either the Royal Hotel, Fishertown Inn or Sutor Creek, followed by a movie in the community-run 35-seater cinema.