A scenic drive north from Invergordon showcases the eastern Highlands coastline and the wonderful countryside of Scotland. You'll pass through the pretty town of Tain before crossing the Dornoch Firth and continuing through the fishing village of Golspie, where the Duke of Sutherland's monument can be seen high on the nearby beinn.
Breathtaking Dunrobin Castle suddenly becomes visible at the end of a long, tree-lined drive. The castle -- ancient seat of the Earls of Sutherland -- is the largest house in the Highlands and the northernmost of Scotland's great houses. Standing in a great park overlooking the sea, it is the largest house in the Northern Highlands, with 189 rooms. It is one of Britain's oldest continuously-inhabited residences, dating in parts from the early 1300s. The impressive, if stark, house is stuffed full of an opulent and fascinating collection of furniture, pictures, objets d'art, paintings (including some Canalettos), and family memorabilia, displayed mostly in their original settings.
You are also free to walk among the beautiful gardens -- every bit as grand as the castle. These magnificent, formal 19th-century gardens were modeled on Versailles, designed in a grand French style to echo the architecture of Dunrobin Castle.
Displays of the ancient sport of falconry take place in the gardens at fixed times; your guide will endeavor to include this if time permits.
Please note: Photography is not allowed inside the castle. Bags/backpacks cannot be taken inside. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, gravel, grass, and steep steps.