Local Experiences

Unique Attractions of the Highlands

The Conon Hotel is perfectly positioned to discover all the unique attractions of the Highlands. We’re off the beaten track in the village of Conon, close to the market town of Dingwall, but close enough to the main routes to the north and south to allow easy access for exploring the coastline, the lively city of Inverness, the lochs, firths, isles and so much more.

Here’s a few ideas to give you a taste of the wonderful experiences you can look forward to encountering when you stay with us:

Explore Dingwall

Our nearest town is Dingwall – just a few minutes away by car or train. It’s a good shopping spot.
Shopping in Dingwall offers some quirky independent shops in the High Street like the Sports and Model Shop (stock up with fishing tackle and angling permit), and Picaresque Books with its eclectic selection and interesting artworks. There are also some fascinating antique shops.
Dingwall Museum in the High Street is free and provides an insight into life in the area across the centuries. There’s usually some event or special exhibition taking place.
Dingwall Leisure Centre is great for active family fun, with a full size pool and toddler pool, and an extensive games hall.

Our nearest town is Dingwall – just a few minutes away by car or train. It’s a good shopping spot.

Shopping in Dingwall offers some quirky independent shops in the High Street like the Sports and Model Shop (stock up with fishing tackle and angling permit), and Picaresque Books with its eclectic selection and interesting artworks. There are also some fascinating antique shops.

Dingwall Museum in the High Street is free and provides an insight into life in the area across the centuries. There’s usually some event or special exhibition taking place.

Dingwall Leisure Centre is great for active family fun, with a full size pool and toddler pool, and an extensive games hall.

Explore The Black Isle

The Black Isle is not an island, nor is it black – it’s a peninsula reaching into the Cromarty Firth to the east of our hotel.
Enjoy a spectacular walk north of the town of Rosemarkie along the Fairy Glen trail to view two magical waterfalls – well worth a photograph or two.
Tour the Black Isle Brewery which ships its organic beer all over the world, or visit the Glen Ord Distillery for a tasting of its famous single malt whisky.
If you are looking for a memorable round of golf, you won’t be disappointed at the Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club on the Black Isle – the 15th oldest recorded golf club in the world with a stunning location.
Enjoy a spectacular walk north of the town of Rosemarkie along the Fairy Glen trail to view two magical waterfalls – well worth a photograph or two.

The Black Isle is not an island, nor is it black – it’s a peninsula reaching into the Cromarty Firth to the east of our hotel.

Avoch on the Black Isle is a quaint historic fishing village, with some sand and shingle beaches. Dolphin watching trips leave from the harbour and there is some good birdlife to be spotted too.

Tour the Black Isle Brewery which ships its organic beer all over the world, or visit the Glen Ord Distillery for a tasting of its famous single malt whisky.

If you are looking for a memorable round of golf, you won’t be disappointed at the Fortrose & Rosemarkie Golf Club on the Black Isle – the 15th oldest recorded golf club in the world with a stunning location.

Enjoy a spectacular walk north of the town of Rosemarkie along the Fairy Glen trail to view two magical waterfalls – well worth a photograph or two.

Explore Inverness

Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands, is the northernmost city in the UK, packed with attractions and well worth a day trip (a few miles by car, train or bus) when you stay with us at the Conon Hotel.
Stroll among nature on the Ness islands. Walk south along the east bank of the river Ness from the city centre and follow the Ness Walk over a Victorian footbridge that connects you to the Ness Islands.
Visit the Inverness Botanic Gardens with its on-site café. And the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery next to the Inverness Castle, in the heart of the city.
Keen shoppers will enjoy the Victorian covered market – great for picking up souvenirs.

Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands, is the northernmost city in the UK, packed with attractions and well worth a day trip (a few miles by car, train or bus) when you stay with us at the Conon Hotel.

Stroll among nature on the Ness islands. Walk south along the east bank of the river Ness from the city centre and follow the Ness Walk over a Victorian footbridge that connects you to the Ness Islands.

Visit the Inverness Botanic Gardens with its on-site café. And the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery next to the Inverness Castle, in the heart of the city.

Keen shoppers will enjoy the Victorian covered market – great for picking up souvenirs.

Explore the NC500

The Conon Hotel is the perfect base from which to travel all or part of the North Coast 500 – the ultimate road trip around the far north of Scotland.
The scenic route covers 516 miles, starting and ending at Inverness Castle (almost on our doorstep), the traditional route first heading west through Ullapool, then north to Caithness and John o’ Groats, before returning south again through Dingwall. Find out more on the NC500 website.
We’re surrounded with superb walking and mountain biking trails, and there’s some great opportunities for salmon and trout fishing on the River Conon.
Bring your hiking boots and enjoy the Conon River Walk, for example, which begins in Maryburgh (just across the river from us) near the war memorial, where you’ll find a map of local walks in the parking area.
When it comes to getting on your bike, Bikemap records no less than 30 mapped cycle routes around the Highlands that passes through Conon Bridge.
If you’re keen to cast a line the Estuary Beat on the River Conon is controlled by the Dingwall & District Angling Club, extending about 2.5 miles from Conon Bridge down to the Cromarty Firth.

The Conon Hotel is the perfect base from which to travel all or part of the North Coast 500 – the ultimate road trip around the far north of Scotland.

The scenic route covers 516 miles, starting and ending at Inverness Castle (almost on our doorstep), the traditional route first heading west through Ullapool, then north to Caithness and John o’ Groats, before returning south again through Dingwall. Find out more on the NC500 website.

We’re surrounded with superb walking and mountain biking trails, and there’s some great opportunities for salmon and trout fishing on the River Conon.

Bring your hiking boots and enjoy the Conon River Walk, for example, which begins in Maryburgh (just across the river from us) near the war memorial, where you’ll find a map of local walks in the parking area.

When it comes to getting on your bike, Bikemap records no less than 30 mapped cycle routes around the Highlands that passes through Conon Bridge.

If you’re keen to cast a line the Estuary Beat on the River Conon is controlled by the Dingwall & District Angling Club, extending about 2.5 miles from Conon Bridge down to the Cromarty Firth.

Local Experiences

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