Dolphin View Point

The viewpoint sits on a rocky promontory just outside Fortrose, where the Moray Firth narrows and the water gets shallow enough for dolphins to hunt. On a clear day - and you'll need patience for those in the Highlands - you can spot bottlenose dolphins from the shore. They're not always there, mind. I've stood here on a grey afternoon watching nothing but grey water, then seen a pod slip through the channel without warning.

What makes it worthwhile is the walk itself. It's not strenuous, maybe twenty minutes from the car park, but the path meanders through coastal scrub with views across the firth opening up gradually. Bring binoculars - proper ones, not the rubbish kind. Spring and autumn are best for sightings when the fish runs are strongest, though locals say you can catch them year-round if you're lucky.

Kids might get fidgety if the dolphins don't show, so don't build it up as a guaranteed spectacle. It's more of an add-on to a Fortrose Bay stay than a destination in itself. Fortrose Bay Campsite sits just down the road and makes a decent base for exploring the Black Isle - you can combine this with walks along the beach or a trip to the nearby villages without much faffing about.

Free to visit. Allow an hour if you're serious about spotting something. Go early morning or late afternoon when the water's calmer and dolphins are more active.