How to Spend a Day in Fortrose: A Highland Day Trip from Inverness
Set along the southern edge of the Black Isle, a short drive north of Inverness, the charming seaside town of Fortrose is one of my favourite places to visit in the Highlands.
Redstone townhouses and whitewashed cottages scatter outwards from the town’s medieval cathedral, and along the seafront, pebbly beaches and coastal trails are a joy no matter the time of year.
Small and compact, you can wander from one end of town to the other in under an hour, making it an easy stop on a trip around the Black Isle. But in reality, you’ll want to linger longer.
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We often find ourselves visiting Fortrose, usually when we need a break from the city - it’s an easy journey from Inverness, and a short drive over the Kessock Bridge quickly turns from cityscapes to countryside roads and coastal views.
Once in Fortrose, the best things to do are all outdoors, so bring your walking shoes: sea air, gentle coastal trails, pebbly beaches, dolphin spotting at the lighthouse, and a lovely little waterfall walk.
But there are also cute little shops on the high street and excellent places to eat, and it’s easy to spend a long, slow morning here.
In many ways, Fortrose is reminiscent of other Highland villages like Beauly and Cromarty; they are effortlessly charming, not overly busy, and although they don’t take long to explore, they reward travellers who detour from the main tourist route.
This is our short guide to visiting Fortrose.
How to Visit Fortrose
By car
Fortrose is one of the easiest places to reach on the Black Isle, just a 30-minute drive from Inverness. Cross the Kessock Bridge and follow the scenic route across the peninsula, passing open farmland and small villages before the coastline comes into view.
It’s an easy and rewarding drive, and Fortrose works particularly well as part of a wider Black Isle loop, paired with stops in Cromarty and Rosemarkie.
Parking is straightforward, with a small car park in the town centre.
By public transport
If you’re not driving, regular local buses connect Inverness with Fortrose. Take Stagecoach service 26A from Inverness Bus Station. You can buy tickets on board by card or cash, and the journey takes around an hour.
Check the ‘Plan Your Journey’ tab for current times. We recommend the 8.45am or 9.50am services, which give you plenty of time to explore before heading back to Inverness.
Once you arrive, Fortrose is easy to explore on foot, including the coastal path towards Chanonry Point and its lighthouse.
What to Do in Fortrose
Fortrose is best explored slowly, on foot, with time to move between its historic centre and the shoreline.
At the heart of the town, Fortrose Cathedral stands as one of the most striking reminders of its past. Dating back to the 13th century, the red sandstone ruins are all that remain of what was once one of the Highlands’ most important religious sites. Today, it’s quiet and contemplative, an unexpected focal point in such a small town.
For a little browsing between stops, Fortrose has a small but well-curated selection of independent shops, ideal for picking up thoughtful souvenirs or gifts.
The Coorie Company is a particular favourite of ours, known for its beautifully scented handmade candles and wax melts, as well as a carefully curated selection of books, cards, and interior pieces. Along the way, Harbour Lane offers a more design-led feel, with a boutique filled with homewares, jewellery, accessories, and considered gifts.
From here, take a short wander through Fortrose’s neat streets, then head towards the coast.
The real highlight lies just beyond the town, at Chanonry Point, one of the best places in the UK to spot wild bottlenose dolphins from the shore. On a rising tide, often within a couple of hours after low tide, dolphins can be seen swimming through the narrow channel, sometimes coming remarkably close to land.
Although we’ve yet to spot them, we never tire of trying!
While there is limited parking near the lighthouse, the walk from Fortrose is part of the experience. Following the main road, it’s an easy and scenic route, with wide views across the Moray Firth and a sense of anticipation as you approach the point.
Where to Eat & Drink
Fortrose punches well above its weight when it comes to food, with a couple of standout spots that are worth building your day around.
IV10 Cafe Bar has become something of a local favourite, known for its deli-style sharing plates, fresh ingredients, and relaxed but polished atmosphere. It works just as well for a long, leisurely lunch as it does for an early evening stop, and the menu often reflects a thoughtful, seasonal approach. There’s also local beers on offer from Black Isle, and a fantastic wine selection.
A short stroll away, Bakhoos Bakery is the place for excellent coffee, slow-fermented sourdough, and some of the best pastries on the Black Isle and the wider Highlands (we’re particularly partial to their flaky croissants).
For the perfect combination, we recommend picking up breakfast from Bakhoos on the way to Chanonry Point (it’s conveniently on the route) and reserving a table at IV10 for lunch on your return.
