Local Information

Beaches

Sandy beaches – 5 minutes walk

Birdwatching

Good birdwatching at the RSPB nature reserve and hide at Nigg Bay (4 miles) star species include lapwing, redshank, pink-footed goose, widgeon and pintail

Cash Machine

There is a cash machine in the village post available during opening hours. There are also four major banks and 6, 24-hour cash machines in Tain.

Child Friendly

Children very welcome

Eating Out

Shandwick Inn, Kildary – good pub grub (4 miles)

The Oyster Catcher, Portmahomack (12 miles away)

Greens Restaurant, Tain Golf Club

Grocery Delivery

Tesco Shop n Drop delivery available.

Pictish Trail

Balintore lays at the heart of the Highland Pictish Trail – The Clach a’ Charridh or Shandwick Stone is at the edge of the village and traditionally the stone of sorros marks the place where the unbaptised infants of the village were buried. There is another stone in the Old Church at Nigg.

Post Office

There is a PO in the village.

Sculpture

Mermaid of the North and the Balintore Sculpture Park – see the 10ft bronze statue the ‘temptress on the shore’.

Walking

Coastal walks from Balintore extend several milesnorth to Rockfield and south to the North Sutor. Many more walks are available a short drive away including forest walks at Auldie Burn, Tain and Tain Hill.

Wildlife

Dolphin watching at Niigg with boat trips from Cromarty.

Day trips from Balintore:

Dornoch – beach, golf course, cathedral, museum, cafes and restaurants, gaol house – 25-minute drive

Golspie – Dunrobin Castle and gardens, beach and forest walks – 50-minute drive,

West coast beaches and mountains – 1 hour 30 minute drive

Orkney Islands – day sailings – 2-hour drive to ferry

The Black Isle – dolphin watching cruises, golf course, wildlife farm, cross-country mountain biking trail – 40-minute drive

Inverness – Aquadome leisure pools, restaurants and live music pubs – 45-minute drive, shopping centre