Burr’s of Tongue is a Scandi-coded revival of a historic general store in the remote Highland village of Tongue. It’s been sensitively restored by the Wildland team (with GRAS handiwork) as a lively community hub along the North Coast 500. At its heart sits Cereal Bakery and Bookshop, where fresh sourdough, pastries, and coffee can be found in a rustic, welcoming space that nods to the building’s 1930s heritage. It’s the perfect stop to stretch your legs, grab a bite, and soak up Highland community life.

Skinnet Beach is a wide curve of honey-hued sand under big skies and with even bigger views, looking out towards the Rabbit Islands and Eilean Nan Ron (Island of the Seals). You’ll more than often have the place entirely to yourself.

Run by local skipper Sarah since 2004, EcoVentures offers exhilarating wildlife-watching trips aboard a custom-built RIB, Saorsa. Departing daily from Cromarty Harbour, these two-hour tours provide up-close encounters with bottlenose dolphins, seals, seabirds, and occasionally minke whales. With a maximum of 12 passengers, nature enthusiasts can enjoy a personal and informative experience, kitted out with waterproof gear and accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.

Newhall Mains is a stylish rural retreat on the Black Isle, home to self-catering, dog-friendly cottages and countrified suites, with log burners and fully stocked kitchens to keep you going through the winter (and all seasons). Tuck into Scottish prime cuts and Cromarty seafood on the asado grill at the on-site restaurant, sip cocktails in the Japanese-inspired whisky bar, or take a scenic flight from the private airstrip (the young owner is also a fully-fledged pilot). For those venturing out, picnic hampers are available to pack for day trips.