Something for all ages and interests
We can bring the fun to Erchless Castle whether its archery, axe-throwing, bushcraft or wild camping experiences. It's always worth asking us what we can provide for you! Here are some of the things to do outside the estate…
Days out for children and families
Dalmore Farm
Friendly farm with animals, a play park, space to run around and a great restaurant with gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and children’s options. Expect great cakes!
Wildwoodz
Paintball, lasertag, archery, axe throwing, and bushcraft facilities in Fortrose.
Historytrails Museum, Dornoch
Rated a 5-star museum by the Scottish Tourist Board, the museum has lots to see and has an enlightening history walk around the area.
Innoflate
A giant indoor inflatable playground!
Inverness Kart Raceway
Five-star indoor karting circuit
Whin Park
Outdoor fun for younger ones near the River Ness that features the Ness Islands Railway
The Loch Ness Centre
Uncover the mystery of Loch Ness. Journey through 500 million years of history, myths and science.
Day Out With The Kids: Inverness
For an extensive list of things to do in Inverness.
Highland Gatherings
Immerse yourself in Highland culture from fine food and caber tossing to Highland dancing and crafts. These inclusive celebrations bring people from all around the world! Events run throughout the Summer months. Check the Highland Games calendar for a comprehensive list of gatherings.
Closest to Erchless Castle are:
Glenurquhart
Strathpeffer
Dornoch
Seaside fun and marine life
Dornoch Beach
Famously fine sandy beach by the town of Dornoch which has many cafés, restaurants, artisanal shops, great fish and chips and museum.
Nigg Beach
Peaceful, sandy beach on the Easter-Ross peninsula.
Shandwick and Balintore
A great place for kids to go off and explore. A pristine sandy beach with high dunes and rocks at either end at Shandwick Bay. Close to the Mermaid of the North in the sculpture park at Balintore.
Embo beach
Renowned for its fine, golden sands stretching across the coast of Dornoch Firth looking out to the North Sea beyond. Expect winding paths through high dunes ands rock pools galore for the kids to explore.
Cromarty
It might be a small town but it’s full of interesting things to see and do. It has something for history and architecture buffs and epicureans and cyclists and walkers and kids and…you!
Ullapool
Take a scenic drive through moorland and mountain to arrive at this idyllic fishing village on Loch Broom. Kept warm by the North Atlantic drift, there's plenty to do day and night with cafés, restaurants, bars, seafood shacks, arts venues and more.
Ullapool Ferry
Hop on the ferry for a history-packed, fun-filled island day out. Regular ferries leave Ullapool for Stornaway on the Isle of Lewis.
Ecoventures
Boat trips out on the Cromarty Firth for dolphin watching and other marine life.
Escape North
Open water paddleboarding (SUP).
North 58° Sea Adventure
Explore marine wildlife with four regular excursions leaving Findhorn Marina every day.
WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bay
One of the best places to visit in the UK for dolphin watching.
Outdoor pursuits
Adventure Highland
Canoeing days on the River Beauly
Highland Pony Trekking
Ride from Cougie Lodge up into the hills.
Ben Wyvis National Nature Reserve
Climb the nearest munro to Erchless Castle.
Cairngorms National Park
Everything you need to know about great walking, cycling and climbing.
Moray Coastal Trail
A fifty-mile footpath skirting the Moray Firth along cliff paths, quiet roads and old railway lines. Expect incredible seaside views.
Fishing
Erchless Castle has beats on the River Glass. Let us know when you make your booking if you want to hire a ghillie, too. There is so much choice for keen anglers on the Beauly, Alness, or Conon. Here’s a guide to what you can expect.
Mountain biking
There are lots of mountain bike trails in the area with routes for everyone from beginners to complete daredevils!
Highland Bike Academy
Specifically for children from beginners to more advanced.
Routes further afield.
Graded trails ranging from moderate to severe for families and thrill-seekers.
Museums
Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre
Take a tour of the site and discover the events surrounding the tragic end of the 1746 Jacobite Uprising. An Impressive new visitor centre has exciting interactive exhibitions.
Fort George
The mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, built following the 1746 defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden. Regimental museum tells the story of the Highland Regiments from just after the Battle of Culloden to the present day.
Castles
Some lie in ruins, some are still magnificent, all tell the tale of Scottish Clans past and present.
Dunrobin Castle
The architecture resembles a French château, with its towers and whitewashed stone. The castle has a vast 189 rooms. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Moray Firth, it appears fantastical. Visitors can spend the whole day out here with plenty of different activities available.
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle's ruins sit on the headland overlooking Loch Ness. There are panoramic views of the Loch and plenty to explore.
Castle Leod
Close to the Victorian spa village of Strathpeffer, the castle has been the seat of Clan Mackenzie for over 500 years. They offer public open days and private tours.
Cawdor Castle
Linked to Shakespeare's, 'Macbeth', built in the 14th century as a private fortress for the Thane of Cawdor, the public can now tour the castle, garden and grounds. There is also a nature trail perfect for keeping the kids active and engaged.
Whisky
Perfect growing conditions for barley combined with pristine water sources all around has made The Highlands perfect for whisky production. The North of Inverness Tour starts on the doorstep at Glen Ord, just 25 minutes away and you can follow the tour all the way to Old Pulteney near John o’ Groats sampling prized whiskies such as Glenmorangie, Brora, Dornoch, Clynelish, Teaninich, Balblair, Dalmore and Royal Brackla along the way. Please remember that each distillery visit involves expert-led tasting session so leave your car keys at home!
The North of Inverness Tour
Glen Ord Distillery
Teaninich Distillery
Glenmorangie Distillery
Dalmore Distillery
Old Pulteney Distillery
Clynelish Distillery
Balblair Distillery
Royal Brackla
Golfing
Muir of Ord
18 holes over heathland and moorland. A railway line dissects the course! Toughest par 3 in North Scotland.
Aigas Golf Club
A well-manicured 9-hole course
Alness Golf Club
18 holes overlooking Cromarty Firth.
Invergordon Golf Club
9 and 18 holes in beautiful parkland.
Strathpeffer Spa
18-hole hilltop course overlooking Cromarty Firth.
Tain Golf Club
18-hole championship course with coastal views overlooking Dornoch Firth
Fortrose and Rosemarkie
18-hole championship course, partly on a large promontory with sea views on both sides. A dolphin colony can be seen from course.
Royal Dornoch
18-hole championship course that is ablaze with yellow gorse in the summer months. Caters to professionals and families, too, on the Struie course.
Cabot Highlands (Formally Castle Stuart)
An 18-hole championship golf course with an art deco clubhouse overlooking the Moray Firth.
Photos courtesy of Visit Scotland