Scotland has over six thousand lochs, ranging from small hill lochs offering wild brown trout fishing to some of the largest freshwater bodies in the UK with fishing for salmon, sea trout, artic char, ferrox trout, brown trout, grayling, pike, perch and chubb.In addition there are more than a hundred quality salmon and trout rivers ranging from small spate rivers to world famous names such as the Tay, Spey, Dee and the Tweed. It doesn’t have to cost the earth to fish these rivers with permits available for brown trout fishing from as little as six or seven pounds a day and salmon fishing permits from as little as twenty to twenty five pounds a day.Scotland also has over seven thousand miles of coastline with sea fishing stations and charter boats in abundance.
Contact Morrison’s shop in Beauly to arrange fishing 01463 782213
Tel: 01463 713335
www.golflochness.com
With over 20 golf courses within an hours drive, including the Championship courses of Royal Dornoch & Nairn, golfers are spoilt for choice by staying at Big Sky Lodges. Almost every town in the Highlands has a golf course or one nearby.Whether you are playing inland amongst mountains and forests or on the coastal fringes, you will be teased and tantalised by the variety of courses. Some of them, like the natural masterpiece Royal Dornoch, are ranked within the top fifteen of the world’s best 100 golf courses and the rest in comparison, like the two championship courses at Nairn, or the hidden gem at Boat of Garten, are all of good to excellent quality. They all have a magnetic charm set in dramatic scenery beside rivers, forests or lochs, in the sheltered glens, moorland or by the coast. You may find it difficult to keep your eye on the ball!
Chapelton Farm Equestrian Centre, Muir Of Ord, Ross-Shire, IV6 7XN Tel/ Fax: 01463 871061Seaforth Riding Centre, Dunglass Farm, Maryburgh, Ross-Shire, IV7 8EG Tel: 01349 865495
Tel: 01479 812345
Highland Venture Ltd is a well known and much respected training and outdoor activities provider offering a whole range of off road driving activities from fun quad bike treks for all the family to corporate activities and off road driver training.
The capital of the Highlands, the city of Inverness offers visitors a wonderful range of attractions. Theatre, restaurants, art galleries and a wide choice of city centre shops including the Victorian- style Market Arcade and the brand new Eastgate shopping mall. For peace and relaxation, walk along the Caledonian Canal or by the side of the River Ness. Inverness Aquadome and Whin Park with it’s boating pond, play area and miniature railway are perfect for children. Along the shores of Loch Ness, the scenery is spectacular. There are great views from Dores on the south side via the Falls of Foyers. On the north side is Drumnadrochit where you can visit the famous Loch Ness Monster Exhibitions or, if it is the start of the tourist season you might see Nessie herself. Take a boat trip on the loch or visit Urquhart Castle overlooking the loch. Further south at Fort Augustus, the Abbey and the locks on the Caledonian Canal provide plenty of outdoor action.
Tel: 0845 612 5567
www.boots-n-paddles.co.uk
We highly recommend Boots n Paddles for all kinds of Highland adventures. Boots N Paddles offer adventurous days out & weekends, adventure holidays and family activities throughout Scotland, all year round. As a fully mobile outdoor activity provider we can bring the activities to a location near you.
Do you fancy staging your very own Scottish Highland Games? We can come to Big Sky Lodges and, ably assisted by our Highland Games champion, we will set up and run a genuine Highland Games for you. The events can include putting the shot, throwing the hammer, weight over the bar, tug of war, chucking the wellie, haggis hurling and of course, tossing the caber. We’ll split you into clans and dress up the clan chiefs. Let battle commence!
Lots to do at the Falls of Shin near Lairg. Watch the salmon leap up the dramatic waterfalls from a viewing platform above the river. Forest trails with the chance of spotting otters and deer in their natural habitat. Restaurant, visitor centre and mini Harrods if you haven’t spent all your holiday money yet. Children’s play area.
Ideal trip for family groups especially with young children, the Black Isle Wildlife Park has a large collection of farm and exotic animals and birds, including many native breeds. Feed the birds, stroke the furry rabbits and make friends with the pot-bellied pigs and rare sheep. Open, March to November.
Some remnants of brewing were discovered during renovations to Old Allangrange. This fine 18th century house lies in one of the first areas to be cultivated on the Black Isle. The early statistical account of 1790 states that the area “yields a much greater quantity of grain that is sufficient to support the inhabitants” which “is found to be of superior quality to the brewer”.The Black Isle Brewery started in 1998 when they set out to make top quality beers that could stand among the best in the country and to do it using organically produced barley and hops. They now export all over the World and have their own music festival, Jocktoberfest. The Brewery is open for free tours and tasting. Red Kite Ale and Black Isle Blonde are our favourites. Why not give us a call and order a case before you arrive and we’ll have it waiting in your lodge for you. Save the Planet, Drink Organic!
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government and is charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment and promoting its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
The most romantic castle in the Highlands, probably. This 600 year old private fortress was built for the Thanes of Cawdor and remains the home of the Cawdor family today. Immortalised by Shakespeare’s MacBeth. Situated in beautiful countryside near Nairn. Mature gardens and grounds to stroll in. The Castle is great and the gardens are even better. Check out their summer schedule for open air Theatre and events. Open daily, May to mid-October.
Moniack Castle is the home of a unique Scottish cottage industry….wine-making. The 16th century castle is situated at Kirkhill between Beauly and Inverness. There you can see traditional Scottish wines, liqueurs and preserves being made from natural ingredients grown in the castle’s own grounds.
The National Trust for Scotland is the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. Culloden Battlefield, Hugh Miller’s cottage and Brodie Castle are all close to Big Sky Lodges
A visit to the Glen Ord Distillery is not to be missed. Just two miles from the log cabins in the village of Muir of Ord. This is where you can watch the distillers at work creating a superb Malt whisky, The Singleton. A perfect excuse to sample our national tipple and an ideal gift to take home for friends and family to enjoy.
