Fortrose Bay Campsite

Fortrose Bay Campsite sits beside a pebble beach on the Black Isle, overlooking the Moray Firth. This coastal site welcomes tents and campervans, with toilets and showers, dogs allowed and online booking available. Its combination of shore-side camping and access to Fortrose makes it a practical choice for visitors who want time by the water without being far from shops and places to eat.

Fortrose’s centre is a short walk from the campsite, with a supermarket, butcher, baker, cafés and restaurants for provisions or meals out. Around 15 miles north-east of Inverness, it offers a smaller-town stop for a wider Highland tour. There is history to explore in the town itself: Fortrose Cathedral’s red-sandstone remains stand in a tree-edged square, with surviving stone vaulting and window tracery. The cathedral is free to visit, making it an easy addition to a wander around Fortrose.

Nearby Chanonry Point is the main draw for wildlife watchers, with opportunities to look for the Moray Firth’s bottlenose dolphins from land. The headland lies between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, with a lighthouse at its tip. An incoming tide can improve the chances of seeing dolphins feeding, though sightings are never guaranteed. It is worth checking tide times before heading out and allowing time to watch rather than expecting an immediate appearance.