Golfers, today we suggest either playing at Nairn, which is a championship course and only about 10 minutes from Culloden House, or driving up to Royal Dornoch, about 45 minutes north along the Moray Firth. You will need to book well ahead for both these courses, Dornoch being considered one of the very top courses in Britain and Nairn no slouch itself. You can also ask Culloden House's help in reserving tee times--and the sooner the better as these courses do fill up.

Non-golfing family members can head down to the Nairn waterfront where there is lots of activity and places to eat. Nairn is a popular summer resort with lovely views across the water.

Directions from Culloden House to Nairn: Turn left at the Barn church, following road to the end and its junction with the A96. Turn right onto the A96, heading south towards Nairn and Aberdeen.

Royal Dornoch non-golfers can go along for a beautiful ride up the coast and then enjoy the day either on the wide, sandy beaches (perfect for the bucket-and-spade brigade!) or head about 12 miles northeast to Dunrobin Castle, ancient seat of the Earls of Sutherland. Not only is the castle fascinating, there are absolutely dreamy gardens, modeled on those at Versailles, overlooking the sea where you can enjoy a delicious picnic lunch made by Culloden or picked up in Dornoch. Non-golfers can also visit the medieval cathedral in Dornoch and the Dornoch Craft Centre and shop in this lovely little resort town.

Directions from Culloden House to Dornoch: Turn right at the Barn Church. Go through two sets of traffic lights, joining onto the A96 heading towards Inverness. Come to a roundabout, go straight thought, come to a second roundabout and take its third turnoff onto the A9. After about a mile, go straight through a roundabout, staying on the A9, taking you onto the Kessock Bridge. Stay on the A9 all the way to Dornoch. or Fishing

Culloden House has private fishing rights on the River Findhorn, a well regarded salmon and Atlantic trout stream. No one knows the Findhorn better than Culloden's ghillie, although that doesn't always guarantee a fish. In most cases arrangements to fish the Findhorn need to made early on, so be sure to ask Culloden House to book this in advance.

or Cromarty Village, Black Isle

The Black Isle is a rural peninsula located off the A9, north of Inverness' Kessock Bridge. At the North Kessock tourist centre-the first town after the bridge--you can learn about one of the Inverness area's main attractions, the dolphins. Here, the Dolphin and Seal Centre has a resident colony of bottlenose dolphins regularly feeding in the area below. This offers the best opportunity to observe the dolphins from the land, 3 or 4 hours before high tide being the optimum time to see them. If you prefer to view dolphins from the sea, there are daily dolphin cruises leaving from Inverness Harbour--inquire at Culloden House for more information.

The most picturesque towns in Scotland are often her fishing villages and Cromarty is no exception. The discovery of North Sea oil brought an influx of money into this historic port village, enabling its old cottages, gardens and historical buildings to be spiffed up and charmingly refurbished. This is a good place on the Black Isle to stop, have tea, and take a village walkabout. Especially interesting sites in Cromarty are:

Hugh Miller's Cottage. Journalist, author, stonemason, geologist, and church reformer-his remarkable history is told in this cottage where he was born. Operated by the National Trust. Located on Church St. Open May lst to Sept, 30, 11 am ­ 5 pm, closed for lunch hour. Tel: (0)1-381 -000245.

Cromarty Courthouse. This fun attraction recreates an historic jury trial. Located on Church Street. Open April ­ October, with restricted winter dates. Tel: (0)1-381-600418.

Directions to Cromarty from Culloden House: Turn right at the Barn Church. Go through two sets of traffic lights, joining onto the A96 heading towards Inverness. Come to a roundabout, go straight thought, come to a second roundabout and take its third turnoff onto the A9. After about a mile, go straight through a roundabout, staying on the A9, taking you onto the Kessock Bridge, the Black Isle and North Kessock. To get to Cromarty, stay on the A9, exiting right onto the A832, and follow it to land's end.