If you drive up Castle Street and turn left at the top and follow the road as far as it goes you will come to the lighthouse. This area is designated as a site of special scientific interest and dogs must be kept on leads at all times. There is a car part and you can then walk up to the lighthouse and around the coast.
This area is known as the Tarbat Peninsula and is famous not only for its beauty and tranquillity, but also as it is the most Eastern point of the north of Scotland. At its tip stands Tarbat Ness lighthouse – the third tallest in Scotland behind North Ronaldsay and Skerryvore and is notable for having two distinguishing broad red bands.
This lighthouse at Tarbat Ness is three miles outside the village of Portmahomack. It stands on private land; follow the track past it on the left. Further on you will join the end of the public road (there is a car park on the left); continue along the road until the next junction, where you can turn left down to a small jetty. Just before the track runs out onto the jetty turn right through a gate. A grassy path now runs along the shore, keeping just above some wide sandy beaches.
Tarbat Ness coastal circuit of the Tarbat Ness itself an excellent views throughout and the opportunity to spot dolphins and seals. There are lovely coastal walks at either end of the village, and Mo-Dhachaidh overlooks the wonderful rock pools that keep children amused for hours. Otter, seal, dolphin, heron, plover, oystercatcher and cormorant all compete for your attention, and the sunsets in the summer months can be the equal of anywhere on the planet.
History Of Tarbet Ness Lighthouse
A storm in the Moray Firth in November 1826 saw the loss of 16 vessels and brought many applications for lighthouses to be constructed at Tarbat Ness and at Covesea Skerries. Tarbat Ness Lighthouse was engineered by Robert Stevenson for the Northern Lighthouse Board and the light was first exhibited on 26 January 1830. Earthquake shocks were sometimes reported and Tarbat Ness once shook so that the shades and lamp glasses rattled.
