Fortrose Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Fortrose Cathedral showing heritage elements and heritage architecture
Fortrose Cathedral showing a cemetery, building ruins and a church or cathedral
Fortrose
Fortrose Cathedral which includes building ruins, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Fortrose which includes general coastal views, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Experience authentic Highland culture in Fortrose, a town that retains strong connections to its past through historic buildings and traditional events.

Wander around the quaint Highland town of Fortrose, a historic area in the southern part of the Black Isle peninsula. Find spectacular ruins, picturesque churches and breathtaking landscapes and discover the historic buildings of the town. Look for dolphins, seals and even otters splashing about in the waters of the adjacent Moray Firth inlet.

The town began with the construction of Fortrose Cathedral. The cathedral, now a red-stone ruin in the centre of the town, was built in the mid-1200s and the rest of Fortrose grew around it. Explore what remains of the medieval church, stopping at the tomb of Countess Euphemia and the freestanding chapter house.

The surrounding Cathedral Square is lined with elegant Victorian houses and village pubs. Visit in August for the annual St. Boniface Fair, a celebration of Highland culture featuring crafts, performances and music. Locals often don traditional costumes for the celebrations. The Town Hall, with impressive paintings hanging on its walls, also hosts cultural events throughout the year.

Enjoy the scenic views from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, a 19th-century building on a low cliff looking out to the estuary. Take a moment to reflect inside the peaceful, simple interior before walking down to the nearby beach.

Watch dolphins skim across the Moray Firth at Chanonry Point. The playful creatures come here to feed and are most commonly seen at high tide throughout the year. From the lighthouse at the tip of the point, admire views in both directions along the firth. Play a few rounds of golf on the scenic peninsula's course, which is over 100 years old.

Fortrose is about a 35-minute drive from Inverness Airport, which receives flights from major U.K. cities including London, Manchester and Belfast. Each season offers different reasons to visit Fortrose and the Black Isle. Enjoy the crisp and clear mornings of fall or the longer and warmer days of summer.

Columba Hotel Inverness by Compass Hospitality

Columba Hotel Inverness by Compass Hospitality

3 out of 5
7 Ness Walk, Inverness, Scotland
The price is AU$316 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
AU$316
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Comfortable stay large room although the bed was too hard (my preference) lovely roll top bath in room. If any negative points it would be the internal doors which were very heavy to open"

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2025

Columba Hotel Inverness by Compass Hospitality
AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness

AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness

4 out of 5
GLEBE STREET, Inverness, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$391 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$391
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (758 reviews)
"Good location, comfortable and clean, wonderful staff. A bit pricey."

Reviewed on 17 Aug. 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals

River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals

4 out of 5
CHURCH ST 83-97, Inverness, Scotland
The price is AU$412 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
AU$412
29 Aug - 30 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (485 reviews)
"Good central location in town."

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2025

River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Seaside cottage by a sandy beach - dolphins, golf, near Inverness and Loch Ness

Seaside cottage by a sandy beach - dolphins, golf, near Inverness and Loch Ness

Rosemarkie
Book a stay at this beach cottage in Fortrose. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a garden. Popular attractions Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club and Groam House ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
Peaceful spot
"What a lovely location. Perfect spot for the two of us to recharge our batteries doing some local walking and also exploring further afield around Inverness and Loch Ness. Lots to do on a week long stay and on top of that a lovely, clean, fully equipped cottage for us to stay in. We strolled along ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Seaside cottage by a sandy beach - dolphins, golf, near Inverness and Loch Ness
Pleasant Point Holiday Cottages

Pleasant Point Holiday Cottages

3.5 out of 5
Pleasant Point, Wester Balmungie, Fortrose, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Fortrose. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Rosemarkie Beach and Fairy Glen Reserve are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (15 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Brand new lodge with everything you need to stay for a week or more. Easy drive to load of location and fortrose is very pretty in itself. I would definitely go back"

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

Pleasant Point Holiday Cottages
Highland Apartments By Mansley

Highland Apartments By Mansley

4 out of 5
Living by the Bridge, 20-23 Bridge St, Inverness, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Inverness Castle and Inverness ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (495 reviews)
"Excellent stay and lovely staff who kindly assisted us with an unrelated travel issue."

Reviewed on 19 Aug. 2025

Highland Apartments By Mansley
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Fortrose