Golspie: Coast, summit views and history

Golspie lies on the east coast of the North Coast 500, on the edge of the North Sea and at the foot of 395 m-high Ben Bhraggie. A sandy beach, the prominent ridge and nearby destinations give the village its different facets. If you’re looking for holiday accommodation in Golspie, first consider what you want to shape your stay: views and trails, wildlife watching, or history and local culture. The options focus on different things, making it easy to find one that suits your interests.

Ben Bhraggie and trails into nature

From the summit of Ben Bhraggie, the view extends to Portmahomack and across the Moray coast; inland, you can see Ben Lundaidh and Ben Horn. The climb to the summit takes about an hour from the car park in the centre of the village. The focus here is on the mountain views and the climb. The Big Burn trail offers a different kind of scenery, leading through a protected gorge and over several bridges.

Nearby is Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, an internationally important wildlife reserve. From the car park at Balblair Wood, a 1-kilometre footpath leads to a wildlife-watching tower on the north shore of Loch Fleet. You can tailor your plans around Ben Bhraggie and the viewing tower to different interests in nature: the summit views here, the opportunity to watch wildlife there. A cycle path connects the village with Balblair Woods by the nature reserve.

History between Golspie and Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is half a mile north of Golspie. Visitors can watch falconry displays there during the season; check the dates before your trip. The castle is also a prominent landmark for walks: The Great Divide trail runs from Fishertown in the south to Dunrobin Castle north of Golspie. A historic grass bridge runs parallel to the A9 at the edge of Golspie, in the direction of Brora.

In the village itself, St Andrew’s Church preserves remarkable carved details: the covered pulpit dates from 1738, and the Sutherland Loft from 1739. Both were carved by Kenneth Sutherland. The Golspie Heritage Society offers exhibitions, talks and a collection about the people and stories that have shaped Golspie. This means historical interest ranges from the church interior to the landscape and the stories of the village.

Local events and choosing your stay

Golspie Gala Week takes place every year at the end of July, and visitors can join in. The Golspie Community Markets are currently held at Fountain Road Hall in June, September and November, from 11 am to 3 pm. Dates and arrangements are reviewed regularly. If you’d like to include events in your travel plans, check the relevant dates before booking.

Golspie is a destination suited to a range of interests: you can focus on the summit views and climb at Ben Bhraggie, plan a visit to the wildlife-watching tower at Loch Fleet, or choose historic places and local culture. Tailor your search for holiday accommodation to the experiences that interest you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Roybridge, Fassfern, Shieldaig, Latheron, Talmine, Balmacara, Duror, Ardvasar

For the main travel overview: Highland.