Golspie may be on the NC500 driving route but the village is definitely not one to drive past. Embrace slow travel and let the village set the pace. Be inspired by our suggestions for getting off the beaten track, following your curiosity, or simply lingering in place for a deeper connection.
A carpet of snowdrops
Experience the magic of a snowdrop covered lawn and a fairytale castle.
January to March is the Scottish Snowdrop Festival, and the grounds around Dunrobin Castle are covered with crisp white snowdrops. The winter flowers combined with the fairytale-esque castle spires make for an enchanting experience. Entry to the gardens is free as the castle is closed.
LOCAL TIP: There is usually a lovely display behind Dunrobin Castle Museum.
Getting there-
Start your journey strolling down the picturesque Duke Street. Crossing Golspie Burn on the footbridge being sure to take some time to enjoy the ducks bobbing and swimming.
Depending on where your heart pulls you, you can either turn left towards the woods or take the path along the shorefront with the rolling waves for company.
Either route provides a gentle walk of just over a mile to the Castle.
A seat at sunrise
Start the day with the best view in town
Start your day with some quiet reflection, watching the sun rise and the landscape awaken around you. Wrap up warm and pick yourself any one of the many benches along the Golspie seashore.
Autumn and winter are especially good times of year for colourful sunrises.
A magical fairy glen
Step into lush green images straight out of a storybook
On the Big Burn walk you are spoiled for choice for places to simply stop and take in the beauty of nature.
The changing light, seasons and weather mean that there is always something new to experience.
Meander at your own pace and let your senses come alive.
Searching the skies
The North Highlands skies make it well worth looking up
Due to the low levels of light pollution the North Highlands are a great place to go stargazing and, if you are lucky, see the Northern Lights. Sunsets and sunrises also offer spectacular colours, especially in autumn and winter. However don’t forget about the time old practice of cloud spotting.
Why not:
- Take a blanket down to the beach for a laid back experience (day or night).
- Take the dog for a moonlit stroll.
- Sit under the stars at Carn Liath Broch and transport yourself back to iron age times.
- Experience the nocturnal wildlife from the hide at Loch Fleet nature reserve.
A curiosity town stroll
Embrace your inner whimsy as you stroll around Golspie
The main part of Golspie is just over one square kilometre, so an ambling walk around it is entirely possible. You could draw inspiration from our itineraries:
- A heritage walk through Golpie’s heart
- The Great Divide
- Waiting for the train?
Or just wonder and see what interesting things you see. The images show some curiosities you might find if you take the time to look around.
If you spot something interesting why not share it with us via our Instagram account.
Nature immersion
Coastal beauty, sweeping mountains and lush woodland
Woodland
The woodland around Golspie is a mix of species such as Scots pine, birch, rowan, oak and other mixed conifers and broadleaves. Trees cover the lower slopes of Ben Bhraggie, the Big Burn walk, Dunrobin woodland and Balblair wood.
Flora
The dunes and woodland at Loch Fleet Nature reserve host a fabulous array of wildflowers. In spring the woods are filled with bluebells and in winter you get the snowdrops.
Coastal beauty
There is a coastal path from Littleferry to Brora and beyond. Whether you are following the mighty John o’ Groats trail or just want to amble in one direction and catch a bus back, the Golspie coastline has a walk for you.
“If you’re on the beach, and you see another person, you think ‘Wow, it’s busy today.’” Jayne, local resident
Wildlife
With so many different habitats around Golspie there are so many different species to spot.
