Travel back in time with Best UK Tours to discover the largest kingdom of Dark Age Scotland – the Picts, or ‘Painted Ones’.
We begin our adventure at the 13th-century Fortrose Cathedral before stopping at Chanonry Point which offers the exciting possibility of dolphin sighting. Then a visit to Groam House Museum to see 9th-century carved Pictish stones amongst other fascinating artefacts. There is time set aside to explore the charming town of Cromarty, an enchanting opportunity for a stroll and a coffee.
Take the ferry to see the Pictish stones at Nigg, Shandwick and Hilton of Cadboll with a fantastic lunch spot en route (keep your eyes peeled for random mermaids along the way).
We finish at Tarbat Discovery Centre in Portmahomack to explore an 8th-century Pictish monastic estate and meet a Pictish Queen!
Itinerary
Private Black Isle & Cromarty Coastal Tour
Dolphins, Pictish Stones & Highland Villages
This itinerary is fully flexible, letting you tailor it to your interests. Explore the peaceful Black Isle and Moray Firth coastline at your own pace as you take in wildlife, history, and the charm of Highland towns.
Pick-up from your accommodation (Inverness / Invergordon Port)
Meet your private driver guide
Depart for a scenic coastal journey
Moray Firth Coastal Views
Cross the Moray Firth
Chanonry Point is known for dolphin watching, and local guidance recommends the period around a rising tide rather than low tide. Sightings still depend on wildlife, weather, access and the route and cannot be guaranteed.
Fortrose & Fortrose Cathedral
Stroll through the historic lanes of Fortrose, lined with centuries-old stone buildings and brimming with Highland charm.
Explore the ruins of Fortrose Cathedral, dating back to the 1300s
Learn about the early Christian history of the Highlands.
Take in the peaceful setting as you unwind in the town square.
Pictish Stones Collection (Groam House Museum)
Uncover exquisitely carved Pictish stones from the 8th century. Journey into Scotland’s vibrant early medieval past at this captivating stop—a true gem for history lovers.
Rosemarkie Village
Meander through this idyllic seaside village, with its colourful cottages, sandy shores, and fresh salt air.
Perfect for a short walk, coffee stop, or coastal views
Cromarty (via Ferry – Optional – Seasonal)
Opt to cross to Cromarty on the traditional ferry (seasonal). Once there, explore a beautifully preserved Highland town.
Historic streets and buildings
Quiet harbour setting
Strong maritime heritage
Return Journey
Relaxed drive back to your accommodation or port
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Picts?
The Picts, the Painted Ones, were the largest kingdom of Dark Age Scotland, and this day is built around what they left behind. That means carved stones, early Christian sites and the coastline they lived along rather than a single museum visit. Your driver guide carries the story between the stops, which is what turns a scattering of carved rock into a coherent day.
Where are the best chances of seeing dolphins?
Chanonry Point on the Moray Firth is known for dolphin watching. Highland Council’s visitor guidance recommends the period around a rising tide, not low tide, but wildlife is never guaranteed and the route must still account for access, weather and the rest of the day’s confirmed stops.
What is at Groam House Museum?
Exquisitely carved Pictish stones, which are the reason the museum is on the itinerary at all. They are the clearest surviving evidence of who the Picts were and what they cared about, and seeing the carving close up does more than any amount of reading. The museum sits in Rosemarkie, so it pairs with a walk around the village and its shore.
Do we take the ferry across to Cromarty?
The Cromarty ferry is optional and seasonal, so whether it runs depends on the time of year you travel. When it does, it is a traditional crossing and a pleasant way to arrive. Cromarty itself is a beautifully preserved Highland town with historic streets, a quiet harbour and strong maritime heritage, and it is a good place to stop for a coffee.
What is there to see in Fortrose?
The cathedral ruins are the centrepiece, dating from the 1300s and standing in the middle of the town rather than off on a hill somewhere. The lanes around them are lined with centuries-old stone buildings, and the town square is a pleasant place to sit for a while. Your driver guide covers the early Christian history of the Highlands while you are there.
Can the Pictish Trail run as a shore excursion from Invergordon?
Yes, pick-up is from your accommodation in Inverness or from Invergordon Port and you are returned to whichever you came from. The Black Isle and the Moray Firth coast sit close to the port, which makes this an unhurried choice for a day ashore. Our cruise transfers and excursions page explains how we handle ship days.
How is this different from the usual Highland day tours?
It goes quiet rather than famous. Instead of Loch Ness and the crowds, the day follows the Black Isle and the Moray Firth coast, taking in Pictish carvings, a ruined cathedral, seaside villages and the chance of dolphins offshore. If you would rather have the better known Highland sights, our private tours of Scotland page sets out the alternatives.
