East Highlands trail

Dunrobin Castle

This is a stately home and seat of the Clan Sutherland and the Countess of Sutherland. Although the original house dates back to the early fifteenth century it has been extended over subsequent centuries and the house today is mainly that of architect Sir Charles Barry in the mid-nineteenth century. The castle and grounds are open form the 1st April to the 15th October. The museum in the grounds has a collection of Pictish symbol stones and cross slabs. The castle is located off the A9 along the east coast about five miles south of Brora/Brura towards Golspie/Goillspidh in Sutherland.

Urquhart Castle

The remains of this thirteenth century castle stand on a headland overlooking Loch Ness and is located off the A82 southwest from Inverness/Inbhir Nis and close to the village of Drumnadrochit/Druim na Droichaid. This much fought over castle was blown up in 1692 to prevent it becoming a Jacobite stronghold. It is open all of the year and has good visitor facilities and is run by Historic Scotland.

Cawdor Castle

This is located about eleven miles east from Inverness/Inbhir Nis and southwest of Nairn/Inbhir Narann and dates from the fourteenth century. Over the centuries it has continued to expand from the original keep and is now noted for it's gardens and wood. The castle is the ancestral home to the Clan Cawdor and the Dowager Countess Cawdor continues to live there. The castle and grounds are open to the public from April to October.

Lochindorb Castle

The remains of this thirteenth century castle and home of the Clan Comyn is built on what now is said to be an artificially created island in in the fresh water Lochindorb/Loch nan Doirb. The loch is to the north of Grantown on Spey/Baile Ur nan Granndach. The town also houses the Grantown Museum www.grantownmuseum.co.uk which is open April until October, Monday to Saturday and located in Burnfield Avenue.

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