The River Averon flows through Alness, dividing the town into two parts; Alness also lies on the Cromarty Firth. The river and firth shape the geographical setting for a stay in which history, tastings and outdoor activities can be explored in different ways.
History at the Alness Heritage Centre
The Alness Heritage Centre preserves photographs, artefacts and personal stories about life in the local community. It covers the town’s crofting roots, wartime service, distilleries, railways and everyday life, all of which have shaped the Highland town. Its different themes range from community roots to work and transport, and on to daily life. Visitors who want to get to know Alness through its history will find images, objects and personal accounts here, offering different ways into these subjects.
Whisky, golf and activities
The Dalmore Distillery is located in Dalmore, Alness IV17 0UT. The experience there includes a guided tasting of whiskies from the Principal Collection and the Distillery Exclusive Range. Tasting availability is limited; check before travelling whether it is offered during your visit.
Alness Golf Club offers a scenic, challenging 18-hole course with views across the Cromarty Firth. The course is suitable for a range of abilities. Golf buggies, clubs and trolleys are available to hire; booking before your visit is recommended. Visitors can also fish in the waters of Alness Angling Club at five beats along two miles of river.
Alness Leisure Centre has a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool with a moveable floor. There is also an outdoor floodlit AstroTurf pitch that can be booked. Alongside options by the river and on the golf course, this gives you a pool and a bookable sports pitch to choose from when planning your activities.
Walking routes by length and surface
The routes listed vary in both length and surface:
- The Crawl Park–Riverside Path is 1.2 km long and has a grass surface.
- The Yankee Pier Route is 1.4 km long and is also grass-covered.
- A 2.1 km woodland path runs through Coulhill Wood.
- The Golf Course Circular Path is 2.9 km long and runs over earth, grass and paved surfaces.
- The Fyrish Path is 3.7 km long and paved.
- The Ballachraggan cycle path is 1.6 km long, paved and surfaced with tarmac.
These routes are shown on a Core Path map from September 2011. Check the condition of these routes again before setting out. Their lengths and surfaces provide concrete points of comparison, without specifying a walking time for each route.
More walking options complement the routes listed: visitors can follow the garden paths in the town centre, and a signposted circular route crosses the bridge over the River Averon and passes the golf course on the east bank. Coulhill Woods has numerous walking paths. South of the bridge, the Cromarty Firth estuary is accessible from both banks; walking options there include the track of the Dalmore Distillery railway. Jumping salmon can be seen at Distillery Weir.
A trip to Fyrish Monument
Fyrish Monument is accessible from Alness and is nearby. The picturesque late-18th-century monument stands on Cnoc Fyrish, offering views across the Cromarty Firth. It provides a different focus from the routes within the town: here, the historic structure, its hilltop setting and the views across the firth take centre stage.
Discover more destinations: Glenelg, Aultbea, Polloch, Kentallen, Helmsdale, Cononbridge, Thurso, Brora.
For the main travel overview: Highland.
