Chanonry Point (Scottish Gaelic: Gob na Cananaich) lies at the end of Chanonry Ness, a spit of land extending into the Moray Firth between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, Scotland.
An active lighthouse situated at the tip of the point was designed by Alan Stevenson and was first lit in 1846. The lighthouse has been fully automated since 1984 and is operated by Northern Lighthouse Board.
Great clean beach, perfect place to spot dolphins, car park has been improved, usually a van selling drinks, lighthouse, gorgeous views for miles. Only issue is no public facilities. Unknown where the nearest is but really but really need to add even just a portaloo
Michelle MacIApr 11, 2018
We had very good sittings of the dolphins, very close in you only need a 200 mm lens my 400 was to much they where that close. Saw them about an hour after low water seams to be the best time
Richard HarrisonApr 17, 2018
Nice long beach with fantastic views over to fort George. There is a chance of seeing dolphins and seals. I have been lucky enough to see them on a couple of occassions. Parking can be limited in the summer months. The beach is dog friendly and there are a couple of picnic benches as well.
Jack RobertsApr 2, 2018
Amazing place... Very good chance you will see some dolphins 🐬 if the weather forecast is poor... Wrap up as it can be very chilly
Karen MurrayMar 17, 2018
At the end of a mile long peninsula is the neat but small car park where you can sit and watch the sea or walk down the beach past the Lighthouse to where the Point finishes and see if there are any dolphins around when the tide is rising. A lovely but isolated place, no public toilets 🚻 🚫 so be prepared to go back to Rosemarkie or Fortrose.
Charlie PhillipsFeb 8, 2018
Beautiful, peaceful spot. Somewhat ruined by remodelling to suit tourism. Dolphin sightings are amazing, if you time it right, -But again, huge crowds take a lot from the experience.
Jamie DoullMay 20, 2018
Fantastic place to watch Bottle Nose Dolphins in the Moray Firth. Best times 1 to 2 hours after low tide each day.
WILLIAM CLARKEMay 18, 2018
Amazing place, once you have driven down the single track lane past the golf course you arrive at a well laid out parking spot near the light House. Have patience and you will spot dolphins at the point.
Vince JamesApr 22, 2018
Easy to find and adequate parking facilities for a fair number of cars. Benches along the water front provide a nice place to watch the dolphin. Well worth waiting as the dolphin appear quite regularly. Only caution is "beware the seagulls" they will grab the food from your hand if you give them the slightest chance.
Russ FowlerJun 23, 2018
Incredible scenery as you'd expect from the Highlands of Scotland but the lack of amenities has dropped the score. Small car park, no café, or even toilets means you'll struggle if you have children with you. There is an ice cream van though! On the positive side you can see some great wildlife, dolphins are the main attraction along with seals and as mentioned above, the scenery, wow.
Chris BartlettJun 7, 2018
A great place for watching dolphins. You can potentially see a lot of wildlife at any time here but we've had most luck with the dolphins around an hour after low tide, as the water level begins to rise and fish are driven past the point. There is fairly ample parking but at peak times and when there are loads of motor homes there it can be difficult to park. If this happens, we drive round to Rosemarkie and walk the mile or so back to Chanonry. You can also park in Fortrose and walk down / along. There are no public toilets on the point but there are some in Fortrose - follow signs to the medical centre, on the same side of the road as the Coop and past the Coop driving away from the Chanonry turning. There is a viewing area for wheelchair users and mobility scooters which also has some picnic benches and seating.
Simon ReevesJun 15, 2018
Saw the dolphins yay. The best times are when the tides turn. The time when the tide starts to rise again. It gets busy as well especially the car park. Take some drink as there are no facilities to buy anything. We been there for over 2 hours before we got lucky and the dolphins gave us a show.
Roman BrejskaJun 10, 2018
Not much there by way of amenities. However, I've been there twice and both times there was an ice cream van - this is most likely just a Summer thing, though. There are great views of the Moray Firth and It is a good place to be if you like boats as they need to come in close to shore on their way to Inverness harbour as the entrance to the Moray Firth is very narrow. The light house itself is quite nice but you can't enter it as i believe that it is still a working unit and appears to be manned full time.
Jon MitchellJul 18, 2018
Wow! I just turned up at a random time in the day and there they were! A resident (apparently) pod of bottle nose dolphins happily feeding just 25 metres offshore. Easy to see them without binoculars. Sometimes came inshore even closer! They gave a great display although they were intent on feeding but even so ... a delight to experience. Free parking. No loos but hey ho.
Philip CooperJul 12, 2018
The perfect place for dolphin watching, although obviously, you will not always be lucky enough to see one. Aside from that, this well positioned spit of land gives great views across the firth to historic Fort George, peaceful views out over the Black Isle to the North Sea, and dramatic views over Inverness to the beginning of the Highland mountains to the west. All without having to move. Love this place.
Gareth PaschkeJul 12, 2018
Well worth a visit to try and see dolphins. We only saw seals but the tide was going out. Incoming tide is best to see dolphins apparently.
Martin CrummettJul 7, 2018
Great clean beach, perfect place to spot dolphins, car park has been improved, usually a van selling drinks, lighthouse, gorgeous views for miles. Only issue is no public facilities. Unknown where the nearest is but really but really need to add even just a portaloo
Michelle MacIApr 11, 2018
We had very good sittings of the dolphins, very close in you only need a 200 mm lens my 400 was to much they where that close. Saw them about an hour after low water seams to be the best time
Richard HarrisonApr 17, 2018
Nice long beach with fantastic views over to fort George. There is a chance of seeing dolphins and seals. I have been lucky enough to see them on a couple of occassions. Parking can be limited in the summer months. The beach is dog friendly and there are a couple of picnic benches as well.
Jack RobertsApr 2, 2018
Amazing place... Very good chance you will see some dolphins 🐬 if the weather forecast is poor... Wrap up as it can be very chilly
Karen MurrayMar 17, 2018
At the end of a mile long peninsula is the neat but small car park where you can sit and watch the sea or walk down the beach past the Lighthouse to where the Point finishes and see if there are any dolphins around when the tide is rising. A lovely but isolated place, no public toilets 🚻 🚫 so be prepared to go back to Rosemarkie or Fortrose.
Charlie PhillipsFeb 8, 2018
Beautiful, peaceful spot. Somewhat ruined by remodelling to suit tourism. Dolphin sightings are amazing, if you time it right, -But again, huge crowds take a lot from the experience.
Jamie DoullMay 20, 2018
Fantastic place to watch Bottle Nose Dolphins in the Moray Firth. Best times 1 to 2 hours after low tide each day.
WILLIAM CLARKEMay 18, 2018
Amazing place, once you have driven down the single track lane past the golf course you arrive at a well laid out parking spot near the light House. Have patience and you will spot dolphins at the point.
Vince JamesApr 22, 2018
Easy to find and adequate parking facilities for a fair number of cars. Benches along the water front provide a nice place to watch the dolphin. Well worth waiting as the dolphin appear quite regularly. Only caution is "beware the seagulls" they will grab the food from your hand if you give them the slightest chance.
Russ FowlerJun 23, 2018
Incredible scenery as you'd expect from the Highlands of Scotland but the lack of amenities has dropped the score. Small car park, no café, or even toilets means you'll struggle if you have children with you. There is an ice cream van though! On the positive side you can see some great wildlife, dolphins are the main attraction along with seals and as mentioned above, the scenery, wow.
Chris BartlettJun 7, 2018
A great place for watching dolphins. You can potentially see a lot of wildlife at any time here but we've had most luck with the dolphins around an hour after low tide, as the water level begins to rise and fish are driven past the point. There is fairly ample parking but at peak times and when there are loads of motor homes there it can be difficult to park. If this happens, we drive round to Rosemarkie and walk the mile or so back to Chanonry. You can also park in Fortrose and walk down / along. There are no public toilets on the point but there are some in Fortrose - follow signs to the medical centre, on the same side of the road as the Coop and past the Coop driving away from the Chanonry turning. There is a viewing area for wheelchair users and mobility scooters which also has some picnic benches and seating.
Simon ReevesJun 15, 2018
Saw the dolphins yay. The best times are when the tides turn. The time when the tide starts to rise again. It gets busy as well especially the car park. Take some drink as there are no facilities to buy anything. We been there for over 2 hours before we got lucky and the dolphins gave us a show.
Roman BrejskaJun 10, 2018
Not much there by way of amenities. However, I've been there twice and both times there was an ice cream van - this is most likely just a Summer thing, though. There are great views of the Moray Firth and It is a good place to be if you like boats as they need to come in close to shore on their way to Inverness harbour as the entrance to the Moray Firth is very narrow. The light house itself is quite nice but you can't enter it as i believe that it is still a working unit and appears to be manned full time.
Jon MitchellJul 18, 2018
Wow! I just turned up at a random time in the day and there they were! A resident (apparently) pod of bottle nose dolphins happily feeding just 25 metres offshore. Easy to see them without binoculars. Sometimes came inshore even closer! They gave a great display although they were intent on feeding but even so ... a delight to experience. Free parking. No loos but hey ho.
Philip CooperJul 12, 2018
The perfect place for dolphin watching, although obviously, you will not always be lucky enough to see one. Aside from that, this well positioned spit of land gives great views across the firth to historic Fort George, peaceful views out over the Black Isle to the North Sea, and dramatic views over Inverness to the beginning of the Highland mountains to the west. All without having to move. Love this place.
Gareth PaschkeJul 12, 2018
Well worth a visit to try and see dolphins. We only saw seals but the tide was going out. Incoming tide is best to see dolphins apparently.
Martin CrummettJul 7, 2018
Great clean beach, perfect place to spot dolphins, car park has been improved, usually a van selling drinks, lighthouse, gorgeous views for miles. Only issue is no public facilities. Unknown where the nearest is but really but really need to add even just a portaloo
Michelle MacIApr 11, 2018
We had very good sittings of the dolphins, very close in you only need a 200 mm lens my 400 was to much they where that close. Saw them about an hour after low water seams to be the best time
Richard HarrisonApr 17, 2018
Nice long beach with fantastic views over to fort George. There is a chance of seeing dolphins and seals. I have been lucky enough to see them on a couple of occassions. Parking can be limited in the summer months. The beach is dog friendly and there are a couple of picnic benches as well.
Jack RobertsApr 2, 2018
Amazing place... Very good chance you will see some dolphins 🐬 if the weather forecast is poor... Wrap up as it can be very chilly
Karen MurrayMar 17, 2018
At the end of a mile long peninsula is the neat but small car park where you can sit and watch the sea or walk down the beach past the Lighthouse to where the Point finishes and see if there are any dolphins around when the tide is rising. A lovely but isolated place, no public toilets 🚻 🚫 so be prepared to go back to Rosemarkie or Fortrose.
Charlie PhillipsFeb 8, 2018
Beautiful, peaceful spot. Somewhat ruined by remodelling to suit tourism. Dolphin sightings are amazing, if you time it right, -But again, huge crowds take a lot from the experience.
Jamie DoullMay 20, 2018
Fantastic place to watch Bottle Nose Dolphins in the Moray Firth. Best times 1 to 2 hours after low tide each day.
WILLIAM CLARKEMay 18, 2018
Amazing place, once you have driven down the single track lane past the golf course you arrive at a well laid out parking spot near the light House. Have patience and you will spot dolphins at the point.
Vince JamesApr 22, 2018
Easy to find and adequate parking facilities for a fair number of cars. Benches along the water front provide a nice place to watch the dolphin. Well worth waiting as the dolphin appear quite regularly. Only caution is "beware the seagulls" they will grab the food from your hand if you give them the slightest chance.
Russ FowlerJun 23, 2018
Incredible scenery as you'd expect from the Highlands of Scotland but the lack of amenities has dropped the score. Small car park, no café, or even toilets means you'll struggle if you have children with you. There is an ice cream van though! On the positive side you can see some great wildlife, dolphins are the main attraction along with seals and as mentioned above, the scenery, wow.
Chris BartlettJun 7, 2018
A great place for watching dolphins. You can potentially see a lot of wildlife at any time here but we've had most luck with the dolphins around an hour after low tide, as the water level begins to rise and fish are driven past the point. There is fairly ample parking but at peak times and when there are loads of motor homes there it can be difficult to park. If this happens, we drive round to Rosemarkie and walk the mile or so back to Chanonry. You can also park in Fortrose and walk down / along. There are no public toilets on the point but there are some in Fortrose - follow signs to the medical centre, on the same side of the road as the Coop and past the Coop driving away from the Chanonry turning. There is a viewing area for wheelchair users and mobility scooters which also has some picnic benches and seating.
Simon ReevesJun 15, 2018
Saw the dolphins yay. The best times are when the tides turn. The time when the tide starts to rise again. It gets busy as well especially the car park. Take some drink as there are no facilities to buy anything. We been there for over 2 hours before we got lucky and the dolphins gave us a show.
Roman BrejskaJun 10, 2018
Not much there by way of amenities. However, I've been there twice and both times there was an ice cream van - this is most likely just a Summer thing, though. There are great views of the Moray Firth and It is a good place to be if you like boats as they need to come in close to shore on their way to Inverness harbour as the entrance to the Moray Firth is very narrow. The light house itself is quite nice but you can't enter it as i believe that it is still a working unit and appears to be manned full time.
Jon MitchellJul 18, 2018
Wow! I just turned up at a random time in the day and there they were! A resident (apparently) pod of bottle nose dolphins happily feeding just 25 metres offshore. Easy to see them without binoculars. Sometimes came inshore even closer! They gave a great display although they were intent on feeding but even so ... a delight to experience. Free parking. No loos but hey ho.
Philip CooperJul 12, 2018
The perfect place for dolphin watching, although obviously, you will not always be lucky enough to see one. Aside from that, this well positioned spit of land gives great views across the firth to historic Fort George, peaceful views out over the Black Isle to the North Sea, and dramatic views over Inverness to the beginning of the Highland mountains to the west. All without having to move. Love this place.
Gareth PaschkeJul 12, 2018
Well worth a visit to try and see dolphins. We only saw seals but the tide was going out. Incoming tide is best to see dolphins apparently.
Martin CrummettJul 7, 2018
Monday | Open 24 hours |
Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
Thursday | Open 24 hours |
Friday | Open 24 hours |
Saturday | Open 24 hours |
Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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