Golspie and Dunrobin Castle

The Duke largely created modern Golspie, and still dominates it today via an immense statue that casts a brooding shadow from the summit of Beinn a' Bhragaidh. The walk sets out from the west car park along the shore, where the sea pounds the harbour wall, while the clear Golspie Burn pours from a wooded gorge. Beyond the burn, dense conifer woods run parallel to the shore.

Leaving the dark canopy, you encounter the fantastic spectacle of Dunrobin Castle, perched high on the cliffs as the most northerly of Scotland's historic houses. Parts date back to 1401, with flamboyant features and magnificent formal gardens added between 1835 and 1850 by Sir Charles Barry (co-architect of the Houses of Parliament).

Passing intimidating cannons on gateposts, the route continues past a 17th-century ice house buried in woodland. The return path passes Golspie Mill (dating from 1841) and St Andrew's Church (founded in 1300, rebuilt in 1737 with 18th-century woodcarvings).

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.