Things to Do in Brora

Things to Do in Brora – While this cute coastal village on the NC500 is popular with couples, it also offered a ‘back to nature’ break with kids. We visited in December and loved it, so can only imagine the beauty on a bright summer’s day.

Brora Beach – Things to Do in Brora

Unsurprisingly, this region is renowned for its beaches, and Brora’s small but sandy beach delivers for families, romantic couples and dog walkers alike. 

Walk the John O’Groats Trail – Things to Do in Brora

The John O’Groats trail runs 147 miles from Inverness to John O’Groats, cutting right through Brora, so it’s easy to walk one manageable chunk of it. We opted for the Golspie to Brora route, which took our family 3 hours. My boys whinged over breakfast but readily admit they actually enjoyed the walk(!!!) as there’s exciting stuff en route (such as Dunrobin Castle, a waterfall, seals, a WW2 Radio Interceptor Station and miles of beach) and it’s relatively flat terrain. 

In terms of practicalities we found the limited bus/train public transport didn’t fit our schedule, and the local taxi firm Charles Mackays isn’t a fleet of cab but one man called Charlie, so we opted to book a cab to Golspie and then walk back (to ensure we weren’t stranded), which worked really well. 

Have a dram or hot chocolate at Clynelish Distillery

The slick modern Clynelish Distillery on the outskirts of town warmed us up after our walk. Tours are available, with children aged 8+ welcome, or simply grab a drink in the stunning bar. The bar’s floor to ceiling windows provide sweeping sea views. The children slurped on hot chocolate, while my husband had a dram. Cocktails, soft drinks, teas and coffees are also available so there’s no pressure to drink – I had an Earl Grey as we’d walked so far already I drove us up to the distillery!

Want a Castle fix? – Things to Do in Brora

The fairytale Dunrobin Castle is just a few miles south of Brora. It’s so beautiful and sophisticated you could simply admire its exteriors from the beach, but step inside during high season to see the rich interiors, take in elegant gardens and expect falconry displays in the grounds. 

Learn about Local History as You Drink!

Champion in the fishing world, Brora woman Megan Boyd was a renowned fly-tyer, and now has a stylish bar named after her in Brora’s Royal Marine Hotel. Her photographs adorn the walls, so take in the sporting history as you browse a classic cocktail menu.

Take your drink into the James Braid Lounge named after respected golf course designer James Braid. Again, photographs and info decorate the walls, paying homage to the designer of courses including Brora Golf Course, Gleneagles and Royal Musselborough.

Brora Cashmere – Things to do in Brora

While the luxury fashion company Brora Cashmere is named after the Highland town of Brora, there’s no shop or much to see linking the brand with the town, just in case you expect to be browsing luxury knits!

Foodie Pitstops – Things to do in Brora

The Curing Yard Restaurant

The Curing Yard is Brora’s most stylish offering, but it’s very down to earth as people dine after a day’s hiking and sightseeing. It offers Afternoon Tea, lunches and Sunday Roasts. We ate there for two nights, dining from the à la carte menu that dishes up treats such as venison carpaccio , Highland duo of beef, roast duck breast, Highland Winter crumble and sticky toffee pudding. 

The kids menu is strong too. My boys were fans of the bangers and mash. They were also allowed to order kids portion sizes of the sticky toffee pudding and the Scottish breakfast. The Curing Yard is set within the Royal Marine Hotel and it’s recommended to book, as this venue is popular with residents and locals alike. 

Cocoa Skye

For informal café dining and amazing Biscoff cheesecake drop by Cocoa Skye. We tucked into a mix of Greek salad, burgers and soup.

Where to Stay

The Royal Marine Hotel is arguably Brora’s smartest hotel but it’s relaxed too, as people drop by in their wet weather gear for a pint after a long walk or hanging out on the beach. The hotel also offers self-catering apartments, which is a great family option. The hotel is minutes from the beach, with smart rooms with moody lighting.

Expect robes, Arran Sense of Scotland toiletries in the contemporary bathrooms and welcoming newsletters with handy info ranging from local weather forecasts to free gym access. Blisss Spa is onsite, offering a range of pampering beauty treatments. And, as I’ve already mentioned, the hotel’s Curing Yard restaurant is a key place to eat in town, or grab a drink in the Megan Boyd bar. My favourite moment was reading a book and drinking a cocktail in front of the log fire in the hotel reception. It was just so cosy. Browse availability and prices here. 

Other Brora Activities we Didn’t Fit In

Tee Off

Tee off at the renowned Brora Golf Course with its excellent sea views. 

Brora Distillery

A second distillery option is Brora Distillery that offers tours – discover more here. 

Nearby Attractions

Swimming Pools

We dropped by Invergordon Swimming Pool (45 min drive south from Brora), because this pool has a flume, sauna, steam room and whirlpool. A perfect family option. If you’re seeking somewhere a little closer to Brora, consider Sutherland Swimming Pool in Golspie, 6 miles distance from Brora.

Dornoch

The town of Dornoch is also a lovely stop for cafés, shopping (don’t miss the The Jail shopping experience where individual sellers are housed in former cells), whisky bars and its elegant cathedral where Madonna christened her son Rocco. 

We enjoyed our weekend in Brora, but of course it could feature in a much bigger tour or road trip of Scotland, taking in the city of Inverness or heading north towards Wick and Orkney. Bon voyage!

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