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Rosemarkie's sands in low sun, wooded cliffs running out along the blue Moray Firth.
Ross and Cromarty

Beach at Rosemarkie

A sandy beach along the front of the old village of Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, looking out over the Moray Firth, with Marine Terrace behind it.

Welcome

Rosemarkie is one of the oldest villages in the north.

The Picts lived here and left more than a dozen carved stones behind them, and a church has stood on the hill since a chapel was founded in the late 500s. Yet it never became a harbour town, and so its shore has stayed a simple strip of sand, looking east along the Moray Firth.

The beach runs along the front of the village below Marine Terrace, its cottages on one side of the road and the sea on the other. Wooded cliffs rise at its northern end, and to the south the shore leads on towards Chanonry Point, where bottlenose dolphins fish close in.

It makes an easy, lovely hour: a walk along the sand, a look into the Groam House Museum for the Pictish stones, and something to eat at the café on the beach.

Round the cornerRosemarkie Beach CaféA café right on the sand.1 min by roadSee itThe Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, a small blue timber cafe with its name over the door and tables outside.
Before you go

The beach is open at all times and free, along Marine Terrace in Rosemarkie.

Where
Along Marine Terrace, Rosemarkie, IV10 8UW.
Looks out on
The Moray Firth.
Where it is

Along Marine Terrace in Rosemarkie, on the Black Isle.

Close byRosemarkie.
  1. The Highland Mobile Sauna, a wooden barrel sauna on a trailer with its chimney, on the grass above Rosemarkie beach.Highland Mobile SaunaA wood-fired barrel sauna parked above Rosemarkie beach for public and private sessions, and a mobile sauna for hire across the Highlands.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. RosemarkieRosemarkieThe old Pictish village behind the beach.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. Groam House MuseumGroam House MuseumUnder a mile1 min by road
  4. Fairy Glen, RosemarkieFairy Glen, RosemarkieUnder a mile1 min by road
  5. Chanonry PointChanonry PointDolphins off the point, a walk along the shore.2 miles8 min by road
Directions
The Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, a small blue timber cafe with its name over the door and tables outside.CafeRosemarkie Beach CaféA step away
A stone building strung with fairy lights and greenery houses Crofters, its anchor sign beside a picnic table in Ross and Cromarty.RestaurantsCrofters Café, Rosemarkie0.4 miles
Glass bakery display with tarts, brownies and pastries on labelled shelvesCafeBakhoos Bakery1.0 miles
The whisky bar at The Anderson in Fortrose, a barman pulling a pint before floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles.BarsThe Anderson1.1 miles
ShoppingHarbour Lane, Fortrose1.1 miles
Fortrose Cathedral's red sandstone arches and clock tower in its green square under a blue sky.AttractionsFortrose Cathedral1.2 miles
Teal banquettes and wooden tables at IV10 under glass pendant lamps and a model sailing ship.CafeIV10 Café Bar Deli1.2 miles
Grassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shoreAttractionsFortrose Harbour1.5 miles
White lighthouse with black lantern room overlooking the Moray FirthAttractionsChanonry Lighthouse2.0 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.

Living room with red sofa, patterned ottoman and staircase behindNewhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 6 miles from Rosemarkie
Check datesA curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.Boath Cabin
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 11 miles from Rosemarkie
Free 17–19 OctCulbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 14 miles from Rosemarkie
Check datesA white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 15 miles from Rosemarkie
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Ross and CromartyAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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