Day Trips

Located on the east coast of Sutherland, Dornoch is the perfect base to explore the surrounding Highlands. Venture out for the day and enjoy some fantastic Highlands trips to iconic destinations such as Inverness, Loch Ness, John O’Groats and even Orkney! Embrace the journey and discover all of this and more within driving distance of Dornoch. 

Inverness

Take a day trip to the capital of the Highlands – Inverness! A small but impressive city, Inverness is the location that links to many of the remote Highland towns and villages, including Dornoch. Journey south for an hour to reach the city where you can enjoy a day full of sightseeing, shopping, eating and drinking. 

Top attractions in Inverness include Inverness Castle, Ness Islands, Inverness Botanical Gardens, Inverness Cathedral and Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. There’s also a range of high street and independent shops if you’re looking to do some souvenir shopping, plus plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants to stop at for lunch or dinner. 

Loch Ness

Travel inland to the legendary Loch Ness, a reasonable hour and thirty-minute drive from Dornoch. Arguably the most famous loch in the world, immortalised by the Loch Ness monster, Loch Ness is a Highland trip that’s not to be missed. 

Venture to the loch on your own or speak to a member of our team to find out more about our organised day trips to Loch Ness, in partnership with Highland Explorer. 

John O’ Groats

Travel along the NC500 to John O’ Groats, the most northern point in Scotland, which is located just under a two hour drive away from Dornoch. Equally stunning in summer when you can enjoy daylight for almost 24 hours a day and in winter when you can gaze upon the Northern Lights. 

Take a photo next to the infamous John O’ Groats sign and embark on some breathtaking coastal walks, including Dunnet Head and St John’s Point, where you’re likely to spot plenty of sea life including puffins and seals. Soak up some history by visiting the Castle and Gardens of Mey or the ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe and don’t forget to stop for a tour of the historic Pulteney Distillery.

Orkney

Visible across the water from John O’ Groats on a clear day lies Orkney, one of the most northerly islands in Britain, second only to Shetland. An unmissable Highland trip for history fans, take the John O’ Groats ferry to Orkney between May and September. 

Once you’re there, explore the abundance of archaeological sites such as the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness, the Churchill Barries and Skara Brae – a site that’s older than the pyramids! 

Kylesku 

Watch the landscape shift as you journey to the northwest coast of Scotland. Villages will become sparser as you find yourself on the edge of dramatic cliff tops that rise above clear blue seas and white sand beaches.

Speak to a member of our team to organise a day trip to this iconic North Coast 500 location that includes a journey past Loch Shin and Laxford Bridge, a short coastal walk near Scourie, lunch at our award-winning sister hotel, Kylesku Hotel, and a return journey via Oykel Bridge.