The Black Isle and East Ross: Historical and Folklore Trail

From Pictish carvings to medieval cathedrals, this route traces spiritual and cultural heritage. Wells, fairies, and mermaids add a magical layer, showing how people connected their landscape to stories.

Embark on a journey through the heart of Northern Scotland, where history, archaeology, and legend intertwine. From the ancient Pictish stones of Shandwick and the early Christian monastery at Portmahomack, to the haunting ruins of Fortrose Cathedral, each stop tells a story of the past.

Discover the spiritual and mystical side of the Highlands at Cloitie Well, where traditions of healing and wish-making still linger. Wander along serene glens and waterfalls, where fairies are said to dwell, and feel the magic of the landscape that inspired centuries of folklore.

Conclude your journey along the northern coast, where the legendary Mermaid of the North reminds visitors of Scotland’s enduring connection to myth and the sea. This trip is more than sightseeing—it’s an immersive pilgrimage through time, myth, and nature, perfect for history lovers, culture enthusiasts, and dreamers alike.

This itinerary is SEASONAL - between APR and OCT

The Black Isle and East Ross: Nature, History, Mysticism and Heritage is a 9-hour full-day tour from Inverness.

Explore Northern Scotland’s rich history and folklore, from ancient Pictish stones and early Christian monasteries to the haunting ruins of Fortrose Cathedral. Wander fairy-filled glens, dip your hand in sacred wells, and discover the legends of the Mermaid of the North. A journey through time, myth, and breathtaking landscapes awaits.

Clootie Well

Clootie wells are found in Celtic places and are linked to ancient healing traditions. A 'cloot' is a rag dipped in the well and tied to a tree. The holy well at Munlochy is said to date back to the time of St Boniface or St Curitan, who worked as a missionary in Scotland in about AD620. 

Fortrose Cathedral

It was the episcopal seat of the medieval diocese of Ross. The oldest part of the present ruins at Fortrose dates from the 1300s. The cathedral was built in red sandstone.

Tain

Scotland's Old Burgh. The Royal Burgh was the place where St. Duthac's relics were kept. He was an early Christian figure, perhaps 8th or 9th century, whose shrine had become so important by 1066 that it resulted in the royal charter. King James IV visited Tain at least once a year throughout his reign to achieve both spiritual and political aims. Tain has a great museum to explore.

Portmahomack

It is a small fishing village that can trace its roots back to 800 AD. The village is positioned on the Tarbat peninsula in Easter Ross.

Home to the Tarbat Discovery Centre, an acclaimed heritage museum, described as ‘the Iona of the east’.

Shandwick Stone

A magnificent and intricately carved large cross-slab (around nine feet /three metres high) standing on its original site overlooking the Moray Firth. It  is evidence of the important role of the Tarbat peninsula in Pictish times, and the three stones may well be linked to the major Pictish religious site at Tarbat.

Mermaid of the North

The Mermaid of the North sits upon a rock- named ‘Clach Dubh’ (black rock in Gaelic) in the Seaboard village of Balintore. The Mermaid’s origins are deep-rooted in Easter Ross folklore. She is the northernmost mermaid statue in Scotland. Let's find out more!