Golspie
Golspie, Golspie Harbour and Ben Bhraggie by George Maciver/AdobeStock
Situated on the edge of the North Sea, along the east coast of the North Coast 500, lies the quaint seaside village of Golspie. With a gorgeous stretch of beach and a charismatic village centre, there are ample things to do whilst in the area so be sure to plan time into your trip to enjoy everything that Golspie has to offer.
Although many know about the magnificent Dunrobin Castle located just outside Golspie, there is much more to see and do in the area. We always recommend spending a morning exploring the local area, before visiting the castle, gardens and falconry in the afternoon – or vice versa! Open from April until October, Dunrobin Castle has a rich history. Resembling a French chateau; it has previously been a naval hospital during the First World War, then later a boy’s boarding school, as well as a family home.
The historic Dunrobin Castle
For those with an itch to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, think about bringing your mountain bike, or hiring one and heading around some of the 18km of Highland Wildcat mountain bike trails. Accommodating all abilities, these great trails include the longest single track descent in the UK of roughly 7km! Boasting excellent views of the surrounding landscape, why not bike with a picnic lunch to enjoy somewhere along the trail?
Panorama From Ben Bhraggie (Biking Flyover) photo by Adventures_by_sophie
Alternatively, you might enjoy a more leisurely cycle to Loch Fleet, just three miles from Golspie. Stroll or cycle along the water whilst keeping an eye out for wildlife. You may be lucky and see some otters playing in the loch! Enjoy the scenery, and relax in what we hope will be glorious sunshine!
If you’re not feeling quite active enough for a cycling experience, then perhaps you’d like to try out one or more of Golspie’s scenic walks. The Big Burn Walk criss-crosses the Golspie Burn before reaching a stunning waterfall. There are multiple picnic benches along the way on which you can stop off for a rest, take in the surrounding scenery and hopefully spot some wildlife. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear as it may be muddy. This well-signposted walk starts at the big burn car park.
Big Burn Waterfall, Golspie by George Maciver/AdobeStock
And if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, why not walk from Golspie to Brora? This coastal path along dunes and field edges is less than seven miles long, with glorious sea views. Passing Carn Liath Broch and Dunrobin Castle, it’s a great way to see more of the area, with plenty places to visit along the way. If you don’t feel like walking there and back, you could always hop on the train one way.
Regardless of whether you plan on walking the coast, Carn Liath Broch is a historical site worth a visit. Overlooking the coast, this stone structure is thought to have been built in the Iron Age. You can go inside the deceivingly large interior through a narrow entrance – watch your head! – and explore the inside of the cairn. Follow the staircase to the top of the cairn to enjoy the view of the coast once again. Whilst you’re there, you might encounter some cows, although they most likely can’t make use of the informative boards which will tell you more about this historic structure! Find out more about Brochs with Caithness Broch Project.
Carn Liath Broch (Image by Barry Scollay of Highland Aerial Views)
While you’re exploring the centre of the village, keep an eye out for the ‘fishy gargoyles’ on the Countess of Sutherland’s memorial fountain. These slightly odd-looking protruding stone features are worth a look! Likewise, be sure to check out the historic grass bridge which lies parallel to the A9 on the way out of Golspie towards Brora. Created by Thomas Telford, the bridge features an inscription in the middle, marking a rallying point for Clan Sutherland.
With all the above available in one small place, how could you resist exploring Golspie? While Golspie is only one of the many charming villages to visit around the North Coast 500, we hope that you’ll have enough time to discover the unique wonders they all have to offer. If not, there’s always next time…
Check out our interactive map for accommodation and eateries in Golspie and the surrounding area.
Loch Fleet by Andrew Dowsett Photography
