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Ross and Cromarty

Chanonry Point

The tip of a long spit on the Black Isle, with a Stevenson lighthouse, and one of the best places in Scotland to watch bottlenose dolphins from the shore.

Welcome

From Fortrose, a long finger of land called Chanonry Ness reaches more than a mile out into the Moray Firth, and at its very tip, where the water narrows between the Black Isle and Fort George, stands a white lighthouse.

Alan Stevenson designed it, and it was first lit in 1846, with keepers' cottages in the Egyptian style the Stevensons liked for a while.

Most people come for the dolphins. Around two hundred bottlenose dolphins live in the Moray Firth, and here, where the tide races through the narrows, they often hunt and play only a few metres from the shingle. The best time is from about an hour after low tide; bring patience.

The point has older stories too. A ferry crossed here for centuries, and the point is where the Brahan Seer, the Highland prophet, is said to have met his end, in about 1675. In summer, leave the car and take the shuttle bus from Fortrose or Rosemarkie.

Before you go

The point is open at all times and free to visit, with summer parking charges and a shuttle bus from Fortrose and Rosemarkie.

Dolphins are most often seen from about an hour after low tide; the viewing area is wheelchair accessible.

Where
The end of Chanonry Ness, beyond Fortrose.
Dolphins
Best from an hour after low tide.
In summer
Parking charges and a shuttle bus.

Did you know

A small white boat rests on the shingle beside a stone harbour wall in Ross and Cromarty.
Did you know

A ferry until 1953.

The crossing from Chanonry to Fort George is the shortest over the Moray Firth east of Inverness, and a passenger ferry ran here until 1953.

A sandy path winds through dune grass toward a misty sea view in Ross and Cromarty.
Did you know

Two hundred dolphins.

The Moray Firth is home to around 200 bottlenose dolphins.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Ross and Cromarty

There are few better ways to spend a morning than waiting for dolphins at Chanonry Point. A long spit of land runs out from Fortrose into the Moray Firth, with Alan Stevenson's white lighthouse of 1846 at its tip. Here the firth narrows and the tide races through, and the bottlenose dolphins come in to hunt only a few metres from the shingle. The best time is from about an hour after low tide, so check the tide tables before you go. Bring a flask and some patience. Parking at the point is tight in summer, and the walk out from Fortrose is a lovely one.

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Where it is

At the end of Chanonry Ness, reached along the road past the golf course from Fortrose.

Close byThe Black Isle.
  1. White lighthouse with black lantern room overlooking the Moray FirthChanonry LighthouseUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Bakhoos BakeryBakhoos Bakery2 miles6 min by road
  3. Crofters Café, RosemarkieCrofters Café, Rosemarkie2 miles6 min by road
  4. Fortrose Cathedral's red sandstone arches and clock tower in its green square under a blue sky.Fortrose CathedralThe red sandstone cathedral in Fortrose.2 miles6 min by road
  5. RosemarkieRosemarkieThe old Pictish village nearby.2 miles7 min by road
  6. Walkers and a dog stroll along a wide sandy beach under clear skiesBeach at RosemarkieThe sands at Rosemarkie, along the shore.2 miles8 min by road
Directions
The whisky bar at The Anderson in Fortrose, a barman pulling a pint before floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles.BarsThe Anderson1.6 miles
ShoppingHarbour Lane, Fortrose1.7 miles
Teal banquettes and wooden tables at IV10 under glass pendant lamps and a model sailing ship.CafeIV10 Café Bar Deli1.7 miles
White-washed Cromar House on a corner, slate roof and pale blue window framesAttractionsGroam House Museum1.8 miles
The Highland Mobile Sauna, a wooden barrel sauna on a trailer with its chimney, on the grass above Rosemarkie beach.ActivityHighland Mobile Sauna1.9 miles
Grassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shoreAttractionsFortrose Harbour1.9 miles
Waterfall cascading over mossy rocks into a woodland pool in autumnAttractionsFairy Glen, Rosemarkie1.9 miles
The Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, a small blue timber cafe with its name over the door and tables outside.CafeRosemarkie Beach Café2.0 miles
A bottlenose dolphin surfacing in the grey water of the Moray Firth beside a Dolphin Trips Avoch boat.ToursDolphin Trips Avoch3.3 miles
Stay nearby

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

Living room with red sofa, patterned ottoman and staircase behindNewhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 7 miles from Chanonry Point
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
  • 10 miles from Chanonry Point
Free 16–18 OctCulbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 14 miles from Chanonry Point
Free 9–11 NovA 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 Chanonry Point
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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