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The shore at Wilkhaven in evening light, a stone wall running down to dark rocks and the firth, far hills on the horizon.
Ross and Cromarty

Wilkhaven Point

The rocky shore and old pier just round the point from Tarbat Ness lighthouse, at the tip of the Easter Ross peninsula, looking out over the Moray Firth.

Welcome

The Tarbat peninsula runs out into the sea between the Dornoch and Moray Firths, and at its tip stands the tall striped tower of Tarbat Ness lighthouse.

Just round the point from it, on the Moray Firth side, lies Wilkhaven: a rocky shore of sandstone slabs, an old pier, and a salmon fishers' bothy looking out over the water.

It is a place to sit and watch. Seabirds work along the tideline, and seals and dolphins are sometimes seen offshore. Across the firth, on a clear day, the coast and hills of Caithness line the horizon, and in the evening the light over the water is lovely.

Wilkhaven is on the coastal walk around the Tarbat Ness headland, a circuit of grassy shoreline linking the lighthouse with the old fishing villages of Portmahomack and Rockfield. Wear boots: the path can be muddy.

A short drive awayInver InnThe Inver Inn is a bar and kitchen on the Easter Ross peninsula, known for its food and its whisky.23 min by roadSee itInver Inn
Before you go

The shore is open at all times and free.

It lies just round the point from the lighthouse car park at Tarbat Ness, and the coastal path around the headland passes it.

Where
By Tarbat Ness, beyond Portmahomack, IV20 1RD.
Look for
Seabirds, dolphins and seals.
Where it is

At the tip of the Tarbat peninsula, just round from Tarbat Ness lighthouse, beyond Portmahomack.

Close byPortmahomack.
  1. Tarbat Ness LighthouseTarbat Ness LighthouseThe striped lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Red and white striped Tarbat Ness lighthouse rising above grassy coastal fieldsTarbat NessUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. Whitewashed church with bell tower behind a graveyard and stone wallTarbat Discovery CentreThe Pictish monastery at Portmahomack.3 miles12 min by road
  4. PortmahomackPortmahomackThe fishing village on its sandy bay.3 miles12 min by road
  5. Hilton of Cadboll StoneHilton of Cadboll Stone9 miles25 min by road
Directions
White single-storey building with "Inver Inn" lettering under a dark skyRestaurantsInver Inn7.7 miles
Grassy coastal path curving above a rocky shoreline under grey skiesAttractionsCadboll Point9.1 miles
Rocky shoreline curves towards a coastal village beneath low hillsAttractionsHilton of Cadboll9.7 miles
Ruined stone church with bell tower surrounded by weathered gravestonesAttractionsFearn Abbey9.7 miles
Timber-clad barn buildings with covered walkway and coloured flags along the rooflineShoppingAnta11 miles
Stone building with slate roof and chimneys behind a low white wallRestaurantsBalintore Inn11 miles
Bronze mermaid statue perched on a rock along the shorelineAttractionsMermaid of the North12 miles
Dune grass frames a curved sandy beach with scattered coastal housesAttractionsShandwick Beach12 miles
Carved Pictish stone protected in a glass enclosure amid open farmlandAttractionsShandwick Stone12 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the point, 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
  • 9 miles from Wilkhaven
Check datesCulbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 18 miles from Wilkhaven
Free 9–11 NovA 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
  • 20 miles from Wilkhaven
Free 16–18 OctPlaces 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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For further reading, before you go.