Ardersier Area
Welcome to Ardersier & Moray Firth
Ardersier Common is a lovely walk from the cottage on well surfaced paths
Within walking distance of the cottage, you can visit Fort George
The historic coastal village of Ardersier lies on the Moray Firth coast between Inverness and Nairn in the Highlands of Scotland. Whilst very easy to get to, it is in a quiet location on a loop off the main A96. Once you arrive in Ardersier you can park up, relax and enjoy the local amenities with walks from the door and shops within walking distance.
Ardersier has two good convenience stores with the off-licenses open 7 days a week. The village also has a Post Office, Pharmacy, Doctors' Surgery, organic food outlets, hairdresser, and gift shops. Wendy's Cafe in the village serves good local food and is very dog-friendly. A fish and chip van comes to the village on alternate Tuesday nights.
For foodies, a visit to Connage organic creamery is not to be missed. This award winning cheesemaker has a shop, deli and serves coffee, you can watch cheeses being made whilst buying at the source. Another village highlight is Half a Moon where fabulous glass works are made on-site and can be purchased in their lovely showroom, they also run glass workshops - these need to be booked in advance.
Due to its gentle shelving nature, Ardersier Bay off the Moray Firth is popular with kayakers, kite and wind surfers and wild swimmers. There is a small concrete slipway just off the carpark at the Beechgrove pocket garden. The beach from the cottage to Fort George is a shingle beach, from Fort George to Whiteness and Delny it becomes sandy and supports a diverse wildlife population. From Dolphin View Cottage you can walk along the shore path to Fort George which is really worth a visit. The Fort is still an active army base but is run by Historic Scotland. It was built between 1748 and 1769 and was commissioned by George II after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. You can walk round the ramparts which are more than 1km in length and visit the Highlander's Museum and the historic buildings within the Fort. There is an entry fee but Dolphin View Cottage has a pass that allows two visitors free access to Fort George. The views of the Moray Firth from the elevated ramparts are spectacular.
If you need major food shopping you will find the larger supermarkets - Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Tesco will deliver to Ardersier.
The battlements at Fort George
Windsurfers & kitesurfers in Ardersier Bay
Ardersier Bay with dog & canoe
There are lots of things to do and see in the local area at all times of the year: - miles of quiet beaches, clean air and stunning scenery. The Moray Firth is naturally very popular with visitors who come to see the resident dolphins and other cetaceans, follow the famous Malt Whisky Trail, the Castle Trail, the Speyside Way, the Coastal Trail, Loch Ness, Findhorn Foundation, see the autumn colours in Glen Affric or go skiing at Aviemore and Lecht. - You can see why people return to the area again and again.
For Golfers there is a huge choice. The nearest golf course is Castle Stuart Golf Links, only 3 miles away. Duff House Royal championship course, Lossiemouth, Nairn, and Cullen, Inverness, Cawdor, Strathlene and Buckpool courses all within easy driving distance of Ardersier. To the north, the courses of Ross-shire and Royal Dornoch may tempt you.
For things to do and see while you're visiting, click here for links to Fort George the Historic Scotland garrison built after Culloden. Cawdor Castle A magical name, famously linked by Shakespeare with Macbeth. A superb fairy-tale Castle.
Culloden Visitor Centre and battlefield. The scene of the last pitched battle on British soil where Bonnie Prince Charlie saw his final defeat. Also nearby you can visit Clava Cairns a Bronze Age settlement consisting of chambered cairns and standing stones that were featured in the Outlander series of books.
Ideally located to tour the Highlands, you can explore miles of exciting coastline, historic villages and towns, lochs, including the famous Loch Ness - try to spot the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. Visit the stunning Caledonian pine forests where you may see squirrels, Scottish Crossbills, Crested Tits, Ospreys and Red Kites.
For information on how to get to Ardersier, please see the menu at the bottom of the page or click here. Getting to Ardersier