Ferrycroft

Ancient monuments, scenic views and gentle lochside trails

There's plenty to see and do at Ferrycroft, from fun activities in the four star visitor centre to splendid views of Loch Shin from the top of ancient Ord Hill. This is a rich and fascinating place with high-quality archaeology, interesting wildlife and pretty forest trails. Spend an hour here or the day.

Walking trails

Ferrycroft route card (PDF)

Walking

Lochside Trail

A gentle amble through the Ferry Wood pines to dragonfly ponds and the attractive shore of Little Loch Shin.

Wide, firm and largely smooth gravel surface. Generally flat, with a few short moderate slopes. Includes two gates.

1 miles / 1.7 km

Allow ½ hour

More information

This gentle circular trail is suitable for families and pushchairs, with handy picnic benches along the way and a viewpoint over the loch. Stop and examine the beasties at the dipping pond: in summer it's teeming with dragonflies. The access gate to the two Ferry Wood trails is at the far end of the car park, on the other side of the Visitor Centre.

Walking

Broch Trail

Continue further into Ferry Wood to discover the remains of a 2000 year old broch and great views of the Shin dam.

Wide, firm and largely smooth gravel surface. Gentle gradients with one longer moderate slope. Includes a gate.

1 ½ miles / 2.4 km

Allow 45 minutes

Walking

Ord Hill Trail

Walk back 3000 years, when Ord Hill was a thriving farming community, and discover hut circles, chambered cairns and some wonderful views over Lairg and Loch Shin.

Rough, narrow grassy paths. Long fairly steep slopes. Includes a gate, short sections of boardwalk and parts that may be muddy.

1 ¾ miles / 2.7 km

Allow 1 hour

More information

Three thousand years ago, this bare hillside was home to a small community who built homes, raised children, grew food and buried their dead here. The trail snakes between their burial cairns, hut circles, burnt mounds, ancient banks and field clearance heaps, giving stunning views over Loch Shin and Ben Klibreck.

You can access the trail from the far end of the car park along a narrow path behind the Visitor Centre building. Alternatively turn right on leaving the centre and you'll see the green Forestry Commission sign on the hillside.

Facilities and access

Viewpoint

Ancient monument

Walking

Parking

Picnic area

Toilets

Play area

Visitor centre

Tourist information

Cafe or refreshments

Ferrycroft Visitor Centre is open every day from April to October. There's a small cafe, accessible toilets and an excellent exhibition suitable for all ages. Opening hours are 10am - 4pm and admission is free.

The trails are open all day, all year round, so you can still enjoy Ferry Wood and Ord Hill even when the Visitor Centre is closed.

There are other public toilets and places to eat in Lairg village, just a short distance away.

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

From Inverness take the A9 north to Evanton, turning left onto the B9176 to cross over The Struie. When you reach the Dornoch Firth, turn left onto the A836 and continue through Bonar Bridge, keeping left after the bridge. Lairg is 10 miles (16 km) further along this road.

In Lairg turn left across the new Black Bridge and then immediately turn right through housing to follow the far shore of the loch. After a few hundred yards (100 metres) turn left and then right to reach the car park of Ferrycroft Visitor Centre. There are signs to the car park from the centre of the village.

Using SatNav?

IV27 4AZ is the nearest postcode, just along the road before you reach the car park.

Public transport

There are trains and buses to Lairg from Inverness, Wick and Thurso. The nearest bus stop is on the Black Bridge, a short walk from Ferrycroft. Trains arrive at the railway station 2 miles (3.2 km) away and are usually met by a local bus. For details go to Traveline Scotland.

Get directions