Yesterday the weather wasn't so good so we decided to take a drive to the Black Isle and have a bite to eat in Cromarty. From Nairn Lochloy Caravan Park it is only about a half an hour drive to the Kessock Bridge which crosses the Moray Firth at Inverness and takes you on to the Black Isle.
We headed straight for Cromarty and drove up through Munlochy, Avoch and Fortrose before reaching Cromarty just before 2.00pm. We decided to eat in The Pantry (we have eaten here before) which is on the right just before you reach the sea. It was packed with people but we managed to grab a table just as some folk were leaving. We had a fantastic local Bacon and Egg Mayonnaise sandwich in a Cromarty Bloomer from the local bakery as well as a creamy Butternut Squash Soup. Lots of cakes are on offer as well so we finished off with Chocolate Tiffin and a Homemade Scone. They also sell homemade Rapeseed Oil which is great in Salad dressings as well as having a very high smoking point (good for frying).
From Cromarty we headed round the coastline looking out towards Invergordon and the huge oil rigs that were being serviced. There were two there yesterday. Further round the coast is Udale Bay, which is a great place for birdwatching. There were Eider, Red Breasted Merganser and Arctic Terns, as well as a few Shelduck. In Winter this is a great place for wildfowl such as Pink Footed Geese, Scaup, Long Tailed Duck and Wigeon.
We decided to cross back over the Black Isle and visit Chanonry Point. This is the best place in the UK to see Bottle Nosed Dolphins. There was a good crowd there looking out for them and we were not disappointed. There were about half a dozen swimming very close to the shore and although they were not jumping around they were very easy to see.Well worth the visit!!
We decided to get back up to Nairn after this but were envious of all the golfers playing at Fortrose and Rosemarkie. This is a great golf course on the spit of land out to Chanonry Point. It has the added advantage of being able to watch Dolphins while you are playing golf!!!
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