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Moorland and a fence line lead down to a loch shore in Ross and Cromarty, a hill rising beyond.
Easter Ross

Struie Hill Viewpoint

The lay-by on the B9176 over Struie Hill known as the Million Dollar View, looking down over the Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland.

Welcome

The Struie road, the B9176, climbs over the moors from Alness towards Bonar Bridge, and near its highest point there is a lay-by with low stone walls and a view indicator.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

People call it the Million Dollar View, and it earns the name.

Below, the land falls away over heather and scattered pines to the Dornoch Firth, winding inland between wooded hills, with the Kyle of Sutherland running on beyond and islands of forest in the water. Farms patch the lower slopes, and on a clear day the hills of Sutherland roll away to the north.

It is a short detour from the coast road and the North Coast 500, and best in the early morning or evening, when the light lies low along the water. Above the lay-by rises Struie Hill itself, with its radio mast, for anyone who wants to climb for an even wider view.

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The Daily for 12 November, from Scotland with love. a stone arch bridge crossing a rushing gorge below a moss-covered cliffside building, autumn trees on both banks

Before you go

The viewpoint is open at all times and free, a lay-by on the B9176 over Struie Hill.

Where
The B9176 over Struie Hill.
The view
The Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland.

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Did you know

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Easter Ross

The Struie road climbs over the moors from the Cromarty Firth towards Bonar Bridge, and near its highest point there is a lay-by with low stone walls and a view indicator. It is known as the Million Dollar View, and it lives up to the name. The land drops away over heather and scattered pines to the Dornoch Firth, which winds inland between wooded hills towards the Kyle of Sutherland, with the Sutherland hills rolling away beyond. Come early or late in the day, when the light lies low along the water.

Read more
Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Ross and Cromarty

The Struie road, the B9176, climbs over the moors from Alness towards Bonar Bridge, and near the top there is a lay-by with low stone walls and a view indicator. It is known as the Million Dollar View, and it is easy to see why. The land falls away over heather and pines to the Dornoch Firth, winding inland between wooded hills, with the Kyle of Sutherland running on beyond. On a clear day the hills of Sutherland roll away to the north. Come early in the morning or in the evening, when the light lies low along the water.

Read more
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Where it is

On the B9176, the Struie road between Alness and Bonar Bridge, high above the Dornoch Firth.

Close byThe Dornoch Firth.
  1. Balblair DistilleryBalblair DistilleryThe old distillery at Edderton below.2 miles 5 min by road
  2. Clach BiorachClach BiorachA Pictish symbol stone at Edderton.3 miles 6 min by road
  3. Carnegie Links at Skibo CastleCarnegie Links at Skibo CastleThe 18-hole championship links of the private Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, on the Dornoch Firth.4 miles as the crow flies
  4. Copper stills line the Glenmorangie Distillery still house in rowsGlenmorangie DistilleryTall stills by the firth at Tain.7 miles 11 min by road
  5. Restaurant tables laid with cutlery beside large windows overlooking the streetGreens Restaurant8 miles 12 min by road
  6. Ornate lamppost beside a gravel path leading to a stone churchTain Museum8 miles 13 min by road
Directions
Weathered standing stone against a sandstone wall behind green railingsAttractionsArdjachie Stone7.8 miles
Sandstone station building with blue "Platform 1904" sign above the entranceRestaurantsPlatform 18647.9 miles
Single-storey clubhouse with terrace tables, rockery garden and lawn under grey skiesAttractionsTain Golf Club8.2 miles
Stone building with arched windows bearing the sign Cocoa Mountain, blue picnic table outsideCafeCocoa Mountain Dornoch12 miles
Ivy climbs a turreted stone tower beside a slate-roofed manor houseRestaurantsDornoch Castle Hotel12 miles
Sandstone church with pointed arch window, framed by autumn trees and gatepostsAttractionsDornoch Cathedral12 miles
ShoppingBritton Scotland, Dornoch12 miles
Wooden sign reading "milk & honey" mounted on a sandstone buildingCafeMilk & Honey12 miles
Sandstone terraced houses and shopfronts line a leaf-strewn streetAttractionsDornoch Town12 miles

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Stay nearby

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

A grand stone mansion glows with lit windows at dusk, bare autumn branches framing the facade.Links House at Royal Dornoch
  • To stay
  • In Dornoch
  • 7 miles from Struie
Check datesA long sandstone steading with a conical-roofed tower at its centre stands beyond a field of young crops, trees framing it on either side in evening light.Newhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 13 miles from Struie
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Easter RossAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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