Curated Journey
Flow Country & Straths Explorer – Day Tour from Inverness
- Duration: 1 Day
- 3 Major Stops
- Rated 4.9 (120 Reviews)
The Journey
Most visitors race up the east coast to Dunrobin or across to Skye — very few venture into the vast interior of Sutherland. This unique day tour takes you into the Flow Country, the largest and most intact blanket bog in the world, now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combined with the Strath of Kildonan gold rush history.
This carefully planned route takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Highlands. From ancient castles to hidden beaches, every mile offers something new. Prepared by our expert local guides, this itinerary ensures you hit all the must-see spots while leaving room for your own discoveries.
Trip Highlights
- Kildonan gold panning, Baile an Or
- Forsinard Flows RSPB boardwalk
- Forsinard viewing tower panorama
- Kyle of Tongue causeway
- Strathnaver Museum, Bettyhill
Day by Day
Day 1: Morning: Kildonan Gold Rush Country
Depart Inverness north on the A9, crossing the Dornoch Firth at Tain. Drive north through Golspie and Brora. Turn inland at Helmsdale up the A897 into the Strath of Kildonan. Stop at Baile an Or (Town of Gold) on the Kildonan Burn — gold was discovered here in 1868 sparking a genuine gold rush. You can still pan for gold with a permit from Suisgill Estate.
Gold Panning, Kildonan, Sutherland
Day 1: Midday: Forsinard Flows UNESCO Site
Arrive at Forsinard Flows RSPB Reserve — open seasonally. Walk the Dubh Lochan trail boardwalk (2.5km, flat, accessible) through an extraordinary landscape of pools and peat. Climb the viewing tower for the classic panoramic view over the seemingly endless bog mosaic. Visit the Flows Visitor Centre in the converted railway station for excellent interpretation of this unique ecosystem.
Forsinard, Flow Country, UNESCO
Day 1: Afternoon: Kyle of Tongue & Return
Return east through Strath Halladale to the coast at Bettyhill — Bettyhill has an excellent museum on the Highland Clearances (Strathnaver Museum). Drive east along the north coast before heading south down the A836 through Tongue and across the Causeway over the Kyle of Tongue — one of the most dramatic pieces of road engineering in Scotland. Return to Inverness via the A838 and A9.
Kyle of Tongue, Bettyhill, Clearances History
Good to Know
- Duration
- 1 Day
- Number of Stops
- 3 major stops
- Best Season
- April to October, when the days are long and the roads are open.
- Transport
- A car is essential for most Highland routes - public transport is limited outside the main towns.
- Pace
- Moderate - allow extra time for unplanned stops at viewpoints and roadside lochs.
- What to Pack
- Layers, waterproofs, sturdy walking shoes, and a camera. Midge repellent in summer.
Why this itinerary
Flow Country & Straths Explorer – Day Tour from Inverness is one of 3 curated stops across the Scottish Highlands, designed by the Highland Explorer team for travellers who want to see Scotland properly. Every stop is hand-picked, tested on the ground, and chosen because it earns its place on the route - not because anyone paid for it.
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