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
