The western end of the north coast of the Black Isle has no large villages, but small, scattered settlements in the parish of Urquhart. It is a peaceful area of farmland and woodland, with the River Conon, good for fishing, to the north-west. As from anywhere on the north coast of the Black Isle, the views across the Cromarty Firth to the mountains beyond are spectacular, especially to Ben Wyvis, the local Munro.
Ferintosh
Ferintosh is a very scattered community today, but it was once much larger. So much whisky was distilled here, at Mulchaich, where the ruins of the distillery can still be seen, that whisky became known as “Ferintosh” throughout much of Scotland, and was the subject of a poem by Robert Burns.
The Ferintosh Burn was used for open-air evangelical preaching even before the Disruption of 1843; one sermon in 1814 is said to have drawn 10,000 people. The Preaching Dell lies above a sharp bend in the road, up a little burn bordered by oak trees, not far from a small stone bridge. Look for twin stone markers beside the path.
Culbokie
Culbokie, to the east on the B9169, is a more defined community with a main street. It has grown, with new houses built to enjoy the views across the firth. East of the village, the wooded gorge of the Findon Burn was said to be home to a fairy who lured local men into the glen and kept them there.
Culbokie Woods are light and airy, with lovely walks, red squirrels and woodland birds, a loch, and an ancient hill fort, Carn Mòr. The John o’ Groats Trail passes through, with Culbokie marking the end of its first stage from Inverness.