What to See and Do in Portmahomack and Tarbat

The traditional fishing village of Portmahomack in Easter Ross, near Tain and Dornoch in the Highland Region of Scotland. The village enjoys a wonderful setting on a bay with a fishing harbour and excellent swimming beach. There are spectacular views over the Dornoch Firth and Moray Firth to the hills of Ross-shire and Sutherland.

Portmahomack also has a historical links to the early Picts. You can visit an archaeology dig site at the Tarbat Discovery Centre which is situated within the village. The village also has a General Post Office/store, open 7 days a week, two hotels, a first class restaurant and both Self-catering and B&B accommodation.

The village itself climbs a slight hill behind the bay, and on a sunny afternoon the whites and greens of the harbourside buildings combine with the beautiful blue of the sea to give an impression that could have come from Cornwall or, with a little stretch of the imagination, the South of France.

Portmahomack has a golf course, pubs, restaraunts, shop and post office, dolphin watching trips, sea fishing trips, excellent walks and great ambience. The UKs fourth-tallest lighthouse at Tarbat Ness is three miles outside the village. The annual village Gala is full of activities and is complemented by the nearby Gala at Tain (10 miles). The village has excellent beach access for all forms of water sport including sailing, jetski, windsurf, diving and snorkelling.

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Portmahomack and Tarbat
The village of Portmahomack follows the shoreline to the small harbour. Behind Main Street the houses run uphill along narrow, winding lanes. It is all very pretty and pleasant. Portmahomack merges into the village of Tarbat.
The Harbour and Sandy Beach
Portmahomack is very picturesque. The houses run along the shore with a view of the lovely sandy beaches, the traditional harbour and a bay where water sports can be done. It is never too crowded for you to enjoy yourself.
Tarbat Golf Club
Tarbat golf club makes visitors welcome. You are asked to pay at the office before starting. Course rangers are out and about to help if required. Competition days are Wednesdays for the ladies and Saturdays for the gents. Playing is from yellow tees. As you can gain birdies and pars (after a struggle), and then face the sterner tests of Royal Dornoch, Tain, Brora and Glospie with optimism.
The Tarbet Ness Lighthouse
If you drive up Castle Street and turn left at the top and follow the road as far as it goes you will come to the lighthouse. This area is designated as a site of special scientific interest and dogs must be kept on leads at all times. There is a car part and you can then walk up to the lighthouse and around the coast.
Portmahomack and Tarbat Services
Bed and Breakfast

Westhouse, Main Street, Portmahomack Tel: 871273

Cafe/Restaurant

The Oystercatcher, Main Street, Portmahomack Tel: 871560

General Stores

General Store, Main Street, Portmahomack Tel: 871623

Holiday Accommodation
The Tarbat Discovery Centre
You will be impressed with this. A modern discovery centre set in a wonderful old church. No garish modern building but a part of the local heritage fitting in with the traditional landscape. The centre interprets finds from a major archaeological dig, using a variety of presentation techniques including computers.
Tain Area
Tain is an attractive town unfortunately often missed out by visitors because of the A9 bypassing it. Tain is Scotland's oldest Royal Burgh, tracing its history back to the 11th Century, and is famous for being the favoured haunt in the 16th century of King James IV of Scotland, who granted the town exclusive rights to the mussel beds in the Dornoch Firth.