The Easter Ross coast boasts some of the prettiest fishing villages in the Highlands where during the Summer months wild dolphins and their calves can be seen. There are also numerous water-sporting activities available and of course some of the quietest and cleanest beaches in Europe.

Strathpeffer lies just a few kilometres West of the Cromarty Firth and the Black Isle and is easily reached from the A9 trunk road and Inverness.

The Cromarty Firth towns of Alness, Invergordon and Tain are steeped in history. Tain being one of Scotlands oldest Royal Burghs, Invergordon a port of call for ocean cruise liners like the Queen Mary II and overlooking Alness the unusual Fyrish Monument. A short distance further North you will find the seaside village of Golspie and its reknowned mountain bike trails.

Strathpeffer is only 64 kilometres from the West coast, the drive along the A835 takes you through breathtaking mountain scenery and by beautiful lochs to the fishing village of Ullapool at the western end of Loch Broom and to Lochinver further North.

The Black Isle makes an interesting day trip where you will find the beautiful and historical villages of Avoch, Fortrose, Rosemarkie and Cromarty. From Chanonry Point the local Dolphin population can be seen in the Moray Firth. For the mountain bike enthusiast there are the Learnie Red Rock mountain bike trails.

Dolphin cruises are run from Inverness and Avoch.

On the Fearn peninsula you can visit the second tallest lighthouse at Tarbat Ness and try out sailing and windsurfing at Portmahomack.

The West coast boasts beautiful, quiet beaches and spectacular mountain scenery and one way to experience all this is to take a trip from Inverness to Fort William along the A82 Loch Ness road where you can experience the Caledonian Canal, Drummnadrochit, Fort Augustus and the majestic Nevis mountain range. The Nevis Range hosts a number of outdoor activities including the downhill mountain bike track and snow sports in Winter.

A Wester Ross route worth investigating is to turn off the A835 just past Garve and visit Stromeferry, Gairloch, Plockton, Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye.