Dingwall Travel Guide - Scotland

Only 12 miles from Inverness, Dingwall is the county town of Ross and Cromarty. It is located at the head of the Cromarty Firth and makes the ideal base of operations when you want to explore the East Coast of Scotland, the Black Isles and the glens of the Central Highlands. This town was made a Royal Burgh in 1226, but its history dates back much farther than that. The name comes from the Vikings of Norway that lived here in the 9^th century. It was an important meeting place because of its central location as the centre of overland routes and easy access to the waterways. The name Dingwall means, "meeting place".

According to legend, Dingwall was the birthplace of MacBeth in 1005, when the Scots owned it. Its strategic location meant that many battles were fought over the ownership of this land, until control became firmly entrenched in the hands of the Scottish kings in the early part of the 13^th century. Agriculture became very important in the economy during the 18^th century and it became one of the busiest parts of the country for trade. The building of a canal in 1817 meant that larger ships gained access to the town and the coming of the railway cemented its position as a key junction in northern Scotland.

Visitors to Dingwall delight in walking the Heritage Trail. This walk only takes about an hour and a half and takes you to heritage sites in the town. These include the stone tower of the Dingwall house, which was built in 1733 and still contains the original jail. The Mercat Cross is believed to date back to the 16^th century and the parish church dates back to 1801. Here you can also see a Pictish stone at the entrance gate and a replica of the Cromartie Memorial. Visit the Carnegie Library, built from funds donated by Andrew Carnegie in 1901. The Museum on High Street contains many interesting artefacts that will help you learn the exciting history of this town.

Some of the places you can visit when you make Dingwall your base include the Muir of Ord in Beauly Priory where you can see how the famous Scotch whisky is made. The scenery of Glen Affric is the most breathtaking sight in the country and at Strathpeffer you can taste the healing waters and visit the Highland Museum of Childhood.

Enjoy the pleasant walk along the banks of the canal and the shores of the Firth. Tulloch Castle overlooks the town of Dingwall and affords exceptional views of the Black Isles and the surrounding countryside. Walk through the farmland to the crafting settlement of Knockfarrel and explore the Iron Age fort. On High Street, there is a delightful assortment of shops where you can buy just about anything your heart desires. This area has pedestrian priority so you can really stroll along the street in comfort as you dart in and out of all the stores.

With a wide range of restaurants serving food from all over the world, Dingwall also boasts a caf&aecute; catering specifically to youth. Parks, tennis courts, playgrounds for the children and many areas for relaxation are all located along the River Peffrey. Here you will find a caravan park if you travel in your RV, but there is also a wide choice in accommodations, such as bed and breakfasts, self-catering cottages and hotels for you to choose from. Your first visit to Dingwall won't be your last when you see the many activities that this area of Scotland has for you to enjoy.