Easter Ross and the Black Isle have a mild, dry climate and a variety of coastal types and habitats. There is an abundance of flora and fauna, and a number of sites are specially designated and protected. Ben Wyvis, one of the highest mountains in Easter Ross, is a National Nature Reserve.

The Cromarty Firth is an important deepwater haven, a port of call for luxury cruise ships and a temporary anchorage for oil drilling platforms. Despite this industry, the firth is an important area for wildlife, with a bird reserve and a National Nature Reserve at Nigg and Udale Bays.

The area was a centre of early Christianity, with cathedrals at Dornoch and Fortrose and a shrine to St Duthac at Tain. King James IV of Scotland made pilgrimages here between 1493 and 1513. The tiny Cromarty to Nigg ferry still plies the “King’s Route”. “Tain through Time” is well worth a visit.

Follow in the steps of Hugh Miller, the famous geologist born in Cromarty, who discovered many important fossils at nearby Eathie. Visit the award-winning Hugh Miller Museum and Cromarty Courthouse, or take an audio-visual tour round Cromarty.

There are many beautifully carved, Pictish standing stones around the area. These are detailed in the Pictish Trail guide and at Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie. Tarbat Discovery Centre is also the site of a Pictish monastery, and has replicas of the Viking silver hoard found nearby.

Part of Tarbat peninsula was totally evacuated during the Second World War to allow practice troop landings in preparation for D-Day.

The Moray Firth is home to the most northerly population of bottlenose dolphins. Whales and dolphins can be spotted from many viewpoints along the coast, including the Sutors at Cromarty and Chanonry point by Fortrose. Red kites and ospreys are regular sights.