Strathpeffer

The Victorian village of Strathpeffer lies on the very edge of Wester Ross under the shadow of Ben Wyvis - only a few miles from Dingwall. Much of the architecture in the village dates back to the 1800s when tourists flocked here to visit the spa and partake of its waters.

           Castle Leod, on the Dingwall road                   The Victorian Spa "Pump Room"

Nowadays it is still a busy tourist hub where you will find hotels, restaurants and cafes, tourist information, B&Bs, a golf course and local shops such as the Deli in the Square, Strathpeffer Crafts gift shop, Spa pharmacy and a convenience store. Visitor attractions in the village include the Pump Room with Spa exhibition and gallery and the Real Sweets & Gift Company, the Spa Pavilion and the old railway station which houses the Highland Museum of Childhood, a coffee shop and gift shops. Castle Leod, the seat of the Clan McKenzie is also a short walk just outside the village. The annual Highland Gathering is held in August each year in the grounds of Castle Leod.

                 The Spa Pavilion                                        Strathpeffer Village centre

The surrounding area is perfect for walks and nature trails including through Blackmuir Woods and along the Cat’s back to Knockfarrel where you get magnificient views of Ben Wyvis. At Loch Kinellan you can view Slovenian grebes amongst other wildlife. Quite often there are red kites flying over the village - and it’s also a hotspot for Scottish wildcats.

 Scottish Wildcat

For those of you interested in archaeology and geology the Eagle Stone Pictish Symbol stone is a must to visit along with the Touchstone Maze which is constructed of ancient rocks dating as far back as 3,000 million years. There is also a vitrified Pictish Iron Age fort at Knockfarrel.

For local events check the calendar on http://www.strathpeffer.org/