The parish of Resolis takes in Balblair, Newhall, Jemimaville and Poyntzfield, on the north coast of the Black Isle between Culbokie and Cromarty.
Balblair and the ferries
Balblair is a small, compact village by the shore. It was the landing for the ancient Inverbreakie ferry across the Cromarty Firth to Invergordon, which was so well used that, even in the 1960s, local people would cross to Invergordon for their shopping. The ferry no longer runs.
Kirkmichael
Just east of Balblair is Kirkmichael, a tiny but historic church first recorded in the 14th century. The Kirkmichael Trust has restored it, and it now holds a fascinating display of carved stones of national importance, including rare 13th- and 14th-century wheel crosses. Old Cullicudden Burial Ground sits almost invisibly below a farm further west.
Udale Bay
The church looks across Udale Bay to Jemimaville. The RSPB reserve at Udale Bay has extensive mud flats and sand banks at low tide and is famous for its birds. From late summer to April thousands of wildfowl and waders gather here; come an hour or two either side of high tide for the best views of the flocks. In autumn up to 5,000 wigeon feed in the bay, and in late summer you may see an osprey fishing. The hide has windows of non-distorting glass for photographers.
Cromarty is about five miles east along the shore, a flat and fairly quiet ride by bike.