Golspie

Small town once home to the Dukes of Sutherland and home to one of the world's more laughably dishonest monuments. On the road north along the stunning NE coast.

There are not tons of reasons to visit Golspie, however for the many ancestors of those forced off their lands should stop at the mighty monument to the Duke of Sutherland and enjoy it!

There's an 18-hole golf course, and the Orcadian Stone Company has a large display of fossils and geological specimens from the Highlands and beyond. The town lives in the dark shadow of the Sutherlands. On Beinn a'Bhraggaidh (1,293 ft), to the southwest, is a huge, 100 ft-high monument to the Duke of Sutherland. Those who make it up to the monument and who know something of the Duke's many despicable acts may find the inscription risible, as it describes him as "a judicious, kind and liberal landlord". There's no reference to the fact that he forcibly evicted 15,000 tenants from his estate. Not surprisingly, locals would like to see this eyesore removed from the landscape, broken into tiny pieces and then scattered far and wide. Unfortunately, they have thus far been unsuccessful.

Eating Out

Aside from the hotels with food, there a couple of chippies along the main high street. If you are looking for something small and something interesting during the day, you might want to pop in to Golspie Mill which is a traditional water driven mill and also serves what is calls rustic bites. (website: http://www.golspiemill.co.uk/)

Shopping

For local ground floor and oats, visit the Golspie Mill which is quite interesting. Just north of village. There is a small gift shop in the high street - Lindsay's if you are looking for something quick for a friend (website: http://www.lindsaycogolspie.co.uk/) If you are after wool, cashmere, etc, then travel on up the road to Brora for the eponymous Brora Store (https://www.brora.co.uk/)

Region

Northern Highlands of Scotland

Travel Directions to Golspie

Drive by the A9 or by train from Inverness on the East Coast trainline. There is a station in Golspie

Roads

A9 Falkirk to Scrabster

Local Sights & Activities for Golspie

The aptly named Dunrobin Castle, one mile north of the village, is the ancient seat of the Dukes of Sutherland, who once owned more land than anyone else in the British Empire. Much enlarged and aggrandized in the 19th century with fairy-tale turrets, the enormous 189-room castle, the largest house in the Highlands, is stuffed full of fine furniture, paintings, tapestries and objets d'art and bears witness to their obscene wealth. The castle overlooks beautiful gardens laid out with box hedges, ornamental trees and fountains. In stormy weather you should listen to the sea crashing on the beach beyond the walls. The museum is an animal-lover's nightmare and almost a caricature of the aristocracy, with a spectacular Victorian taxidermy collection. There are also local antiquities, some from ancient brochs, and Pictish stonecarvings. Info - Apr-May and 1-15 Oct Mon-Sat 1030-1630, Sun 1200-1630; Jun-Sep Mon-Sat 1030-1730, Sun 1200-1730, £6.50, concession £5.50, children £4.50. Tel. 633177.

Nearby Ancient Monuments

Carn Liath Broch

Excavated in the 1980s to its present state. Bronze and iron age on the coast north of Golspie. Large circulcar broch that is well worth a quick explore on a striking site beside the coast.
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Local Visitor Attractions

Loch Fleet Nature Reserve

Tidal nature reserve south of Golspie that provides varied marshy habitat for both migratory birds and waders. Located to the east of the A9 as it passes north.
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Golspie Hotels & Accommodation

There are a number of guesthouses in the village. There is the pub/hotel, the Stag's Head on the main High Street which is mainly a pub with some rooms (no website, phone on +44 408634004). There is the Golspie Inn (14 rooms) which traces its history to 1808 and lies on main road at the north end of the village (website: http://www.golspieinn.co.uk/) They have restaurant and bar. Popular with people travelling up north. Also Ben Bhraggie hotel in the village, again on the main road (website: http://www.benhotel.co.uk/) with six rooms, a public bar with food.

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