Tarbat Ness Lighthouse Circuit from Portmahomack
Highlands
The Tarbat peninsula pushes out between the Dornoch and Moray Firths in Easter Ross, and this 14km circuit follows almost its whole shoreline. The route crosses several farm gates and stiles, some of which may mean lifting a dog over, and fields suggest grazing livestock, so carry a lead. It starts on the sandy beachfront of Portmahomack, a former fishing village with views across the firth to the Caithness coast and hills, and follows faint grassy tracks along the rocky shore past an old fishing bothy with huge rusting anchors, and banks of gorse above a steep inlet. Tarbat Ness lighthouse, built by Robert Stevenson in 1830 and the third tallest in Britain, towers over the tip of the headland, and a short detour reaches the point itself. The return runs down the east side on a grassy path above wide sandy beaches, past Creag nan Eun, the cliff of birds, and beneath Ballone Castle, a medieval fortress restored as a private home, to the hamlet of Rockfield. A mile of quiet road over farmland leads back to Portmahomack. There is only 132 metres of climbing, but the outward section can be very muddy.
This dog friendly walk is a long day by the sea with water for paddling at the beaches and plenty of open ground. It crosses a series of farm fences by gates and at least four stiles, some of which may mean lifting your dog, and the fields suggest livestock at times, so carry a lead. Keep dogs away from the nesting cliffs in spring.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 14.0 km (8.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on the route; Portmahomack village at the start and finish (facilities not individually checked).
- Parking
- Car parks along the beachfront in Portmahomack; alternative car park at the end of the public road near Tarbat Ness lighthouse.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Tarbat Ness Lighthouse Circuit from Portmahomack, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in HighlandsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Tarbat Ness Lighthouse Circuit from Portmahomack dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It is a long, open coastal walk with sandy beaches for paddling and very little climbing. The score reflects the stiles and farm fences along the way, some of which may mean lifting your dog over, the chance of livestock in the fields, and a muddy outward section.
Can dogs be off lead at Tarbat Ness Lighthouse Circuit from Portmahomack?
There is moderate off-lead potential on the open grassy shoreline and the beaches, as long as there is no livestock in the field you are crossing. The route passes through a series of farm gates and fences, so carry a lead and use it whenever animals are about, near the nesting seabirds at Creag nan Eun in spring, and on the road back from Rockfield.
What should I know before visiting Tarbat Ness Lighthouse Circuit from Portmahomack with my dog?
Allow most of a day, as the circuit is 14km and the outward leg can be very muddy. There are at least four stiles, which can be awkward with a large dog. The lighthouse stands on private land, so stay on the path around it. Park along the beachfront in Portmahomack, or shorten the walk by starting at the lighthouse car park.
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What’s Nearby?
Beach0.2 mi awayPortmahomack Beach
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A sandy beach at the picturesque fishing village of Portmahomack on the Tarbat peninsula with year-round dog access and the excellent Tarbat Discovery Centre nearby.
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