X25 Inverness – Invergordon – Dornoch

Journey Overview

This is a masterpiece of a journey – slick and direct, but through magnificent contrasting scenery, of flat, green pastures, mountainous views on the horizon, interspersed with tree-lined roads, either side and best of all – Lochs!

As if Inverness isn’t fascinating enough with its castle, cathedral, shops and tantalising proximity to the Loch Ness! It’s a fabulous start for a journey which makes its way in dramatic fashion, with the bus crossing the water of Inverness Firth, or the ‘Black Isle’ Peninsula and then a journey along grassy terrain and wild flowers with hills turning to mountains in the far distance. There’s awesome views of the deep blue Moray Firth on the left and then both sides as the bus then traverses its wide expanse. We’re soon straddling it on the right as Moray Firth becomes Cromarty Firth and flat, pretty countryside continues before an even more majestic crossing, this time over the wide Dornoch Firth before gradually arriving at Dornoch, a small historic town set in fabulous scenery and with a renowned sunny climate as a result of its sheltered location!

A Fab Day Out!

A visit round the famous Inverness Castle or a tour of the Cathedral or maybe breakfast in one of the great cafes or restaurants in this amazing City is a good start to the adventure. The journey to Dornoch is fabulous and a stop off at Invergordon is recommended en route including a trip to the Invergordon Naval Museum and Heritage Centre and a peruse of the lovely, tall spired Invergordon Church of Scotland. There are some great woodland walks from Invergordon or Saltburn, which is one stop further along on the bus.

Back on the bus to Dornoch and a stroll down the beautiful beach which stretches from Dornoch Point, heading past Embo beach to the mouth of the Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve. Next door, there is a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ which is home to nesting birds, flora and fauna.

Golf lovers will be transfixed by the famous Royal Dornoch championship course, ranked 13th in the world, so make sure you take your clubs with you and also look out for the incredible wildlife in this lovely town, which includes seals as well as breeding and wintering birds.

There’s a fabulous cathedral too in Dornoch, which was founded way back in 1224. Oh and the town is apparently where the very last witch in Scotland was burnt in 1722 – there’s the Witch’s Stone to commemorate this stuff of legend!

Gateway to 25X

To Inverness by train on Scotrail services or on Megabus/CityLink.