Places on the East Coast

Fortrose and Rosemarkie sit off the official NC500 route. Their cathedral ruins, carved stones and coastal pleasures reward a detour.

Portmahomack pairs its famous-name café with sunsets, Pictish craftsmanship and a lighthouse with plenty more on the peninsula to discover too.

A century-old joke captures an attractive Highland town’s enduring challenge: persuading passing travellers to stay.

Once dismissed as desolate, this Highland favourite was transformed by investment, while golf gave visitors a reason to keep coming.

Brora’s coal powered far more than industry. Discover a working village’s remarkable past and magnificent beach.

If you just carry on through, you might just miss one of the best east coast views, a scenic strath and some excellent fish and chips!

In Neil Gunn’s novel, a boy catches a salmon in the Dunbeath Water. Now he carries it home in bronze.

At Lybster, waves can come over in sheets. On a fine day, the same harbour is made for coffee and lemon drizzle cake.

Wick’s Ebenezer Place is just over two metres long, with a bistro door. Stay for supper and explore the coast.