Where are the best picnic spots around Inverness?
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As the coronavirus lockdown starts to ease and spring is now here, it is an opportunity to celebrate with a picnic.
Whether it is a quiet corner in a park on the doorstep, a secluded forest spot, or a beach, there are plenty of places in the area to linger and to enjoy eating in the great outdoors.
Here are some suggestions for picnic spots:
Bught Park, Inverness:
The largest park in Inverness, is just a short distance away from the city centre.
Close by are Ness Islands which sit in the middle of the River Ness, connected from the river banks by Victorian footbridges.
Whin Park, Inverness:
The park is close to Bught Park. It has four separate adventure play areas and fun equipment such as zip lines, climbing structures and slides plus features for little ones.
Bellfield Park, Inverness:
This award-winning park is close to the city centre.
It features grass area for picnics, games or just to relax on.
Abriachan Forest Trails:
Located above Loch Ness between Inverness and Drumnadrochit, the community-owned woodland is brimming with wildlife.
It offers a range off walks, history trails and children's play areas.
Those venturing up the Carn na Leitire to its 434m summit will be rewarded with some terrific views.
Rosemarkie Beach, Black Isle:
This long stretch of sandy beach stretches out into the mouth of the Moray Firth and is backed by woodland.
It is also home to the popular Rosemarkie Beach Cafe.
At the far end of the beach is Chanonry Point which is a great place to spot the area's resident bottlenose dolphins.
Culbin Forest, near Nairn:
There are lots of picnic spots to be found in this pine wood which extends nine miles from Nairn along the coast to Findhorn.
An area of outstanding beauty and a haven for walkers and nature lovers, it offers waymarked trails throughout the forest where various species of indigenous flora and fauna and large numbers of visiting birds can easily be spotted.
Nairn beach:
This popular beach has low sand dunes and a promenade with an open, grassy links area.
With its stunning views over the Moray Firth towards Cromarty, it is a great place to sit and enjoy a sandwich.
Dores beach, Loch Ness:
This pebble beach is located at the northern tip of Loch Ness and stretches from the village of Dores to Torr Point.
Even if you don't spot Nessie, it provides some of the best views of the loch while enjoying a picnic.
Do you have any favourite picnic spots in the area? Let us know.
