black isle tourism team

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The Black Isle is a peninsula in the Highlands of Scotland, located north of Inverness.

Contrary to its name, the Black Isle is not an island. It is in fact a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by expanses of water, with the Cromarty Firth to the north, the Beauly Firth to the south and the Moray Firth to the east. From Inverness, it’s reachable by crossing the Kessock Bridge.

Charming towns and villages

Cromarty, located at the north east tip of the peninsula, is distinguished by its Georgian merchant houses and quaint fishermen’s cottages. In the summer the village is connected to Nigg, which lies across the Cromarty Firth, by ferry.

Overlooking the Moray Firth, Fortrose is the largest of the Black Isle’s towns and lies close to Rosemarkie, a small village with a beautiful beachfront. Also situated on the coast is Avoch, a fishing village characterised by neat little lanes of cottages running down to a historic harbour.

In the west of the peninsula is Beauly. At the heart of this riverside village lies a peaceful 13th century ruined priory and a pleasant village square.

Nature and the outdoors

One of the region’s great draws is its pod of resident bottlenose dolphins. At Chanonry Point, in between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, they can often be seen frolicking in the Moray Firth.

The Black Isle boasts two RSPB nature reserves. Fairy Glen, an enchanting wooded glen with tumbling waterfalls, is home to woodland songbirds and delicate wildflowers while Udale Bay provides a habitat for migratory pink-footed geese.

The Black Isle is great for both mountain bikers and leisure cyclists. Learnie Red Rock offers some thrilling graded forest trails, and the area is criss-crossed with quiet back roads and gentle tracks.

Historical treasures

Rosemarkie is well known for its Pictish stones, a number of which can be seen in Groam House Museum. The Black Isle also boasts fine examples of medieval stonework and at Udale Bay, the old Kirkmichael church is being redeveloped as a visitor centre to exhibit ancient ornamental memorials.

In Cromarty, Hugh Miller’s Cottage is a beautifully preserved thatched roof stone dwelling. Inside, personal belongings tell the tale of the notable figure who lived in the 17th century and was a stonemason, geologist, author, journalist and editor.

For more information about the Black Isle, visit www.black-isle.info .

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Top Guide to visiting the Black Isle

Where is the black isle.

The Black Isle is located in the Scottish Highlands just north of Inverness (around 15 minutes’ drive). It’s connected to the mainland in the South by the Kessock Bridge and in the North by the Cromarty bridge. It’s almost entirely surrounded by the sea which gives it a real island feel. Its name is thought to have originated from the fact that snow rarely falls on the isle, unlike the surrounding hills. It’s a very easy day trip from Inverness or you might want to base yourself here as there’s so much to explore and discover.

Best things to see and do on the Black Isle

Wander the streets of cromarty.

Head to the north of the Black Isle and discover the picturesque town of Cromarty, an old fishing port with an attractive sandy beach and an interesting selection of shops and restaurants.

Discover Hugh Miller’s Cottage (Cromarty)

If culture and history is your thing, then Cromarty doesn’t disappoint. The famous geologist and writer, Hugh Miller was born here in 1802 and you can visit his perfectly preserved little thatched cottage and museum .

Get locked up at the Old Courthouse Museum (Cromarty)

Just round the corner from the cottage is the Old Courthouse Museum . It dates back to 1773 and now contains some fascinating exhibitions, show casing what life has been like in Cromarty over the years.

Boat crossing on the Nigg Ferry (Cromarty)

If you are heading North from Cromarty either by car, foot or on your bike, then why not take the little Nigg ferry. It’s a small boat that can only carry a maximum of 2 cars and 12 people and the crossing is short, but it does save a lot of driving time. As you pass through the small settlement of Nigg it’s definitely worth popping into the attractive old kirk to see the impressive Pictish Stone from the 8 th Century.

A car costs around £10 one way and passengers are just under £5.

→ Nigg Ferry Website

Have a Walk at Fairy Glen Falls – Rosemarkie

If you are looking to stretch your legs and take a break from the road, then this delightful 3km country walk is just the tonic. The well signposted path follows a picturesque stream, that meanders through magical ancient woodland. The route has a few gentle hills with some steps here and there and is ideal for children. The highlight for many is the two dramatic waterfalls, that roar and tumble over the rugged rocky outcrop.

Local legend has it, that children from nearby Rosemarkie used to carry out a special ceremony here. This involved decorating the pools with beautiful flowers to ensure that fairies kept the water clean for the following year.

The walk starts at a little carpark just off the A832 that runs from Rosemarkie to Cromarty. The entrance is on the right just as you leave Rosemarkie. The town centre is also worth exploring with a small selection of shops and restaurants, I recommend the Beach Café with its lovely sea view.

Address: 14 Bridge Street, Rosemarkie, Fortrose, Ross-shire, IV10 8UP

Blow away the cobwebs at Rosemarkie Beach

This was such a lovely find! We finished our walk at Fairy Glen and headed back to the centre of Rosemarkie. We spotted a signpost for the beach, took a left and discovered this gorgeous, sheltered bay. A great spot to have a sandwich or a coffee at the Beach Café.

Dolphin Watching at Chanonry Point Lighthouse (near Fortrose)

The lighthouse is situated in a dramatic location on a narrow strip of land surrounded by the sea. This spot is world famous for its bottlenose dolphins that love to swim in the calm clear waters. There is a lovely sandy beach next to the lighthouse and on a sunny day it’s a great place for a picnic on one of the benches.

The pay and display carpark can get busy in summer, so we find it’s better to park in the village and walk a little.  If you have a passion for dolphins, then visit nearby Avoch and book a tour with Dolphin Trips Avoch , there are daily sailings from the harbour.

→ Dolphin Trips Website

Fortrose Cathedral

A visit to the picturesque town of Fortrose is well worth the detour. We recommend visiting the ruins of the 13 th century red sandstone cathedral located in a quiet square in the town. It’s free to visit.

→ Check opening times here.

Buy some beer at the Black Isle Brewery

Located in Munlochy, the Black Isle Brewery produces a wonderful selection of craft beers using barley from its own organic farm on the Black Isle. The farm also grows fruit and vegetables used at their small chain of bars, one of them being in Inverness.

If you have time, stop by the brewery and experience one of their great daily tours and learn about the process of making tasty organic beer. The full range of their beer is available to buy at the well-stocked shop.

→ Black Isle Brewery Website

Get healed at the Clootie Well

Update 2023: an anonymous person cleared the Clootie Well of all its ‘cloots’ without any prior permission in Jan 2022. Locals were very upset at this unwanted act. You can see the before and after photos by clicking here . The ‘cloots’ are slowly reappearing, however, the feel of the place has changed (see photo above).

Discover an area of local folklore and tradition by heading to Clootie Well, an ancient healing site. For many years, people have visited this wooded area in Munlochy to partake in a healing ceremony. They would bring an item of cloth (cloot) belonging to a sick person and after dipping it in the healing water, would hang it to a tree believing that the person would be healed of their illness once the cloth rotted away. All the trees are covered in hanging cloths and rags giving the area a mysterious feel verging on slightly eerie.

Where to eat on the Black Isle?

Where to eat in cromarty.

There is plenty of choice of places to eat in Cromarty. For excellent local seafood and awesome woodfired pizza head to Sutor Creek , named after the massive rocks at the entrance to the Firth of Cromarty.

If you are a fan of cheese then you will be close to heaven in the The House of Cheese , a speciality cheese shop located in the old police station. Continuing with the food theme, I recommend checking out the Cromarty Bakery , famous in the Highlands for its excellent bread and pastries.

Where to eat in Rosemarkie

There is a really lovely beach at Rosemarkie and a great café to boot. Head to the Rosemarkie Beach café, a community café run by the Rosemarkie Amenities Association. We also recommend Crofters located on the sea front. They have a great outdoor terrace as well as an outdoor pizza oven. Alternatively, opt for a traditional Scottish pub at the Plough Inn on the High Street. They have a great beer garden, the perfect spot for a refreshment after walking the Fairy Glen.

Where to eat in Fortrose

For a light bite, head to the IV10 Café Bar Deli or the Fortrose café. Alternatively, opt for a takeaway and head down to the 19 th century harbour to take in the sea air. Sample fish and chips from McGinty’s fish and chip shop or Tweedy Pie . Pick up some delicious treats from the Bakhoos bakery .

Where to stay on the Black Isle?

You can easily do a day trip from Inverness to the Black Isle , however, you may prefer to stay on site and really explore the peninsula. There is plenty of choice of accommodation including hotels, b&b’s, self-catering cottages.

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19 May The Black Isle

The black isle is neither black nor an island, but a peninsula with an 80-mile coastline in a compact area..

It is a region of rich farmland and woodland with historic towns and villages and a coastline that demands to be walked for its beauty and its wildlife.  Tourists are drawn to the Black Isle to observe bottle-nosed dolphins close up, but eventually they leave hoping to return, thanks to a sense of being part of a vibrant community with a strong culture and a fascinating history.

The Black Isle Tourism Team has identified the Black Isle as where you “Savour the Unexpected” and embrace the concept of slow tourism.  Climatically the Black Isle is softer, drier and “midge free” compared to the west coast. It is certainly somewhere you need to stay awhile to fully appreciate all that it has to offer.

To be enjoyed are some fine restaurants and cafes, specialist food shops, a historic golf course, famous geological sites, views as far as the Cairngorms, and you are never far from the sea. The Black Isle has a summer ferry link across the mouth of the Cromarty Firth from Cromarty, a small town with historical connections and fine houses reflecting its wealth as a port in the 1800s.

The Black Isle has numerous minor roads that provide a network for cyclists and there are mountain bike trails too.  The Black Isle is “bicycle sized”.  The footpath network is extensive, especially in woodlands and plantations, and in the grounds of country estates.   A popular walk is to head north of Rosemarkie on the beach, and if the tide permits you can pass the bluff at Scart Craig without getting your feet wet, while marveling at the multi-coloured rocks by the shore.

The beach at Rosemarkie is popular with young families as is the gentle countryside of the Black Isle.  Above all, the Black Isle is for people who understand, and have the time to accept, that the more you explore the richer is the experience. The Black Isle is not to be rushed.

A free tourism map packed full of useful information is available at many of the shops and eateries.

Images on this page ©  Julian Paren  ( cc-by-sa/2.0 )

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Ten fantastic places to visit in… The Black Isle

Despite its name, the Black Isle is not an island, but is surrounded on three sides by the sea.

There is the Cromarty Frth to the  north, the Beauly Firth to the south, and the Moray Firth to the east.

It’s a part of the country adored by Rebus creator and writer Ian Rankin .

Here’s our top 10 places to visit.

Hugh Miller’s Cottage

The birthplace cottage and museum of the prominent writer and polymath presents his life and work at the Georgian Miller House. It also contains Miller’s impressive fossil collection, which includes original discoveries.

Black Isle Brewery Co

Based in Munlochy, it uses only the freshest, organic ingredients for its award-winning brews. If you visit you will be treated to a shop and a free tour, culminating in a tasting of the final product.

Groam House Museum

Based in Rosemarkie, this is an outstanding centre for Pictish and Celtic art. The display is focused on 15 carved Pictish stones, all originating from Rosemarkie, which was an important centre of early Christianity.

Poyntzfield Herb Nursery

Open from 1 March-30 September the nursery, which is a real hidden gem, has been growing herbs since 1976. It has over 400 varieties of herbs, gathered on botanical tours of India, Nepal, Sikkim and Japan.

New year’s Day Splash and Dash

This popular annual event in Cromarty sees locals – many in fancy dress – running into the sea and then racing for 5k around the village. There is a shorter distance for kids. Come along and join in, if you’re brave enough!

Chanonry Point

Chanonry Point, at the end of Chanonry Ness, on the Black Isle

One of the best places in the UK to see bottlenose dolphins, who come in on the strong tidal currents to play and feed. Porpoises, grey seals and, occasionally, otters can also be spotted.

Glen Ord Distillery

Located in Muir of Ord and founded in 1838, the distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland. This five-star visitor attraction is open all year round. Visitors can also enjoy exclusive offers on its single malts.

Wildlife Boat Trip

The best place to view the Black Isle’s wide variety of wildlife, including dolphins, porpoises, seals, herons, gannets and ospreys is from the sea. Ecoventures, Dolphin Trips, Avoch and New era Cruises all offer wildlife boat trips.

Fortrose Cathedral

Fortrose Cathedral was the episcopal seat of the medieval Scottish diocese of Ross. The cathedral was constructed primarily of red sandstone, and after the Reformation it continued to be used as a church, but began to fall into disuse in the later 16th and early 17th century. It has been owned by the government since 1851 and is a scheduled monument.

Cromarty Courthouse

This Grade A listed former courthouse now houses exhibitions about the history of Cromarty. Life-like figures and audio enactment bring the old courtroom and the cells to life. The museum also has a shop.

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'Slow tourism' push for Black Isle aims to entice visitors to get under skin of peninsula

A VISITOR strategy for the Black Isle aims to place the emphasis on "slow tourism" and encourage people to get involved with what's going on around them rather than just passing through.

The Black Isle Tourism Team is launching a strategy document with a strong emphasis on slow tourism, encouraging visitors to "stay close and feel connected".

That ties in with its brand "savour the unexpected".

The document is part of a consultation process which began in November last year at an event that saw over 50 businesses, community groups and local residents represented.

Round table discussions explored issues affecting local communities and sought practical solutions to developing tourism in a way that enhanced, rather than hindered, local life. Key objectives focus on extending ‘the season’ with an all-year-round calendar of attractions; better communication and greater accessibility to what’s on offer; and an invitation to "get under the surface" and be more involved in daily life rather than being an outsider looking in or passing through.

The first draft of the strategy, which proposes short, medium and long-term actions, will be launched at an event in Culbokie on Monday, April 8. A short walk is planned through Culbokie Woods followed by a meeting at the Culbokie Innwhere conversation, feedback and networking will take place over a soup and sandwich lunch.

Chair of the tourism team, Jon Palmer, said: "This is the first time the Black Isle as a whole has really come together to plan what it wants for the future. We’ve gone to great efforts to involve as many people as possible as it will only work if everyone is on board, and feels they’ve had an input.

"Obviously you have to start somewhere and our initial suggestion of focusing on ‘slow tourism’ and sustainability chimed with the people present at our first planning meeting.

"Since then a small group of us have been putting more flesh on those bones and this document has some very practical proposals for how to put people’s ideas into practice.

"Some of the ideas are very simple and quickly achievable, others are quite aspirational.

"We are all volunteers doing what we can and one of the actions which would make a huge difference is to have a paid officer in post to help drive the whole thing forward. There’s already a lot going on in the different communities, and many exciting plans, but we need to ensure there’s joined-up thinking between all those ideas. That’s what’s at the heart of this strategy."

Anyone with an interest in tourism and how it affects the Black Isle is welcome, but it would be helpful for the organisers to know numbers. Attendees are asked to contact [email protected] to be given further details and to reserve places.

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Black Isle tourism team launches ‘stay close and connected’ strategy

A tourism strategy encouraging visitors to feel ‘close and connected’ will be launched on the Black Isle next month.

The Black Isle Tourism Team (Bitt)’s strategy emphasises ‘slow tourism’ along with their brand Savour the Unexpected.

The strategy, so far in first draft, has been developed from a consultation process which began last November with an event involving more than 50 businesses, community groups and local residents.

Bitt chairman Jon Palmer said discussions explored issues affecting local communities and looked at ways of developing tourism in a way that enhanced, rather than hindered, local life.

He said: “This is the first time the Black Isle as a whole has really come together to plan what it wants for the future. We’ve gone to great efforts to involve as many people as possible as it will only work if everyone is on board, and feels they’ve had an input.

“We want to extend the season with an all-year-round calendar of attractions; find better ways of communicating and greater accessibility to what’s on offer; and invite tourists to get under the surface and become more involved in daily life rather than being an outsider looking in or passing through.”

Mr Palmer said a paid officer in post to help drive the aspirations forward would ‘make a huge difference.’

He said: “We’re all volunteers. There’s already a lot going on in the different communities, and many exciting plans, but we need to ensure there’s joined-up thinking between all those ideas. That’s what’s at the heart of this strategy.’

The first draft of the strategy will be launched on Monday April 8 with a walk in Culbokie Woods followed by a meeting at the Culbokie Inn to continue feedback and networking over lunch.

Anyone with an interest in tourism and how it affects the Black Isle is welcome. Organisers ask attendees to contact [email protected] for further details and to reserve places.

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N.S. tourism company focusing on Black cultural sites granted licence after pushback

Competitors of ayomikun bus charters argued there isn't a market for black heritage tours; uarb disagreed.

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A new tourism company that will offer tours of Black heritage sites and charters to cultural events around Nova Scotia has been granted its licence after facing pushback from competitors.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved a motor carrier licence for Ayomikun Bus Charters on June 20.

"It was almost like finding out you won the lottery, for me personally," Dalton Cain, vice-president of Ayomikun Bus Charters, told CBC Radio's  Information Morning Halifax.  "That overwhelming feeling of OK, now we're able to start and do something that we all genuinely put our blood, sweat and tears into just putting it all together and getting it underway."

Cain, along with friends Kevin Brooks and Peter Field, started the company last December with the goal of making Black history more accessible through bus tours.

But during their licence application process, the new company faced opposition from tourism competitors , who said there isn't a market for African Nova Scotian cultural tours. They also had concerns about "overcapacity within the industry for existing operators."

The review board disagreed, noting in its decision that "there is a niche Black cultural market in this province."

"This market is not being fully served by the existing carriers," the decision said.

Cain said while the situation was mentally draining, he's pleased with the end result.

"There were organizations who were trying to prevent us from obtaining a licence, reaching a demographic of people who are underserved — specifically speaking of our community, the Black communities — so in doing that, it was just overwhelmingly frustrating at some times," he said.

"But the support that we had from community and one another, it helped us stay grounded."

Kevin Brooks, president of Ayomikun Bus Charters, said that support is what kept them optimistic. 

"We went through some pains, but it made us stronger. And as a team it made us stronger, and we're better because of it," he said.

Ayomikun means 'full of joy'

Peter Field, co-owner and manager of Ayomikun Bus Charters, said he and his partners are feeling joyful now that the licence has been approved.

It's a fitting feeling, he said, because Ayomikun means "full of joy" in the Nigerian language of Yoruba.

"That's our intentions for people who take our tours. That they will have a joyful experience and get off the bus full of joy," Field said.

Brooks said the company is working to source two buses, with hopes of being on the road by Aug. 1 for Emancipation Day.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of.  You can read more stories here .

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Digital journalist

Cassidy Chisholm is a digital journalist with CBC News in Nova Scotia. She was previously based at CBC New Brunswick. You can reach her at [email protected]

With files from Feleshia Chandler

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Black Isle Local Place Plan

Place plan submitted for registration.

The Black Isle Local Place Plan was submitted to Highland Counci for registration on 24 May 2024.  If it is deemed to conform to the relevant Scottish Government criteria it will be added to the list of registered place plans for Highland communities, of which there are currently two others - Stratherrick and Foyers, and Ardgour.  There are also 23 'Notifications of Intent' to prepare a place plan from Highland communities.

Local authorities are required to 'take into account' local place plans when preparing or updating their local development plans.  Because the updated Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan is close to being adopted, local place plans registered by the deadline of 27 September 2024 will feed into the preparation of a new single Highland LDP scheduled to be adopted in 2027-28.  To what extent local place plans will influence this process remains to be seen.

So what if anything happens in the meantime?  See 'Working towards implementing the plan' , below.  The current situation is that although, after many meetings and much discussion and consultation, the 'governance and accountability' section of the place plan had been agreed on by most of those involved, the Black Isle Partnership (which is the 'community-controlled body' formally promoting the plan), could not agree with what was proposed.  As a result the 'governance and accountability' section of the plan was deleted and replaced by a 'Next steps' section (below), omitting the previously included more detailed proposals for governance function and structure.

View and download the Place Plan as submitted for registration

Next steps As well as being registered by The Highland Council, the Plan should also be endorsed by the Council, the Community Planning Partnership, and the Community Councils on the Black Isle.

Place Plan update - revised governance proposals

Following a second workshop on 20 March, the BILPP team drafted a revised 'governance and accountability' section for the place plan which is now under final consideration by community councils and others.  This is not a rigid prescription of how the plan should be taken forward or the composition of the body which should be set up to manage it, but rather a pointer to the direction of travel.

Read the revised draft    (in easier-to-read Word document format)

Complete draft plan       (with original governance proposals)

-------------------------

*February 2024

Working towards implementing the plan

Although the legislation and government and council policy and guidance documents do not envisage that communities preparing local place plans should play any significant role in putting them into action, those who have taken the Black Isle Local Place Plan through extensive community consultation to its now near-final state want to guarantee 'the Plan is taken forward and doesn’t just end up on a shelf, going nowhere.'

The plan refers to the need for  'appropriate governance mechanisms to be put in place, which should be based on the following principles:'

1. The Plan and its implementation should focus on outcomes for the Black Isle as a whole. . .   

2. Overall ownership of this Plan should rest with the local community, as should leadership of the Plan’s delivery.

3. A group of local people will need to step up to lead and champion collaborative delivery of the Plan. . .

4. The wider community will need to support those individuals, so that they have the credibility and authority to lead on behalf of the wider community. . .

5. Collaborative working relationships must be established between the public sector and the local community. . .

These principles should underlie firm governance and implementation proposals, including

• Endorsement of this plan by Black Isle Community Councils, The  Highland Council and the Community Planning Partnership.  • Developing open and transparent arrangements to establish and maintain a group of local people to champion the Plan for the wider Black Isle community. 

• Paid support to co-ordinate and communicate day-to-day  implementation of the Plan, working on behalf of the local community and with access to the public sector. 

• Developing delivery plans for each of the four Calls For Action. . .

A workshop held on 28 February to develop a way of implementing these proposals resulted in an interesting general exchange of ideas but little progress towards establishing a governance structure.

 -------------------------

*January 2024

Press launch and final consultation

The Place Plan was launched to the press and public by Kate Forbes MSP at an event on Friday 19th January in Tore Village Hall.  After the launch a drop-in public information session ran from 11am to 6pm.

Following the launch a final consultation opportunity got under way through community councils, with links to the draft Plan online and a simple online form to enable  Black Isle residents to have their final say on the draft plan.  Printed copies of the plan have also been made available in Fortrose, Cromarty, Dingwall, Muir of Ord and Inverness libraries and Fortrose leisure centre.  This consultation closes on 16 February.  

Second stage consultation - Saturday 3 June

The process of preparing your ideas about the future of the Black Isle for presentation to Highland Council and possible inclusion in future development plans continues with two extended local consultation and discussion sessions in Culbokie and Fortrose.

See the Events calendar for details

You've told us what you think - Now let's decide what to do.

Join us at one of our two events where we'll be discussing the priorities laid down by the community and how we can begin to address them.

Changes to Highland planning structure

Highland Council has recently published an updated newsletter outlining proposed changes to the planning structure in the Highlands, and referring to the preparation and status of Local Place Plans, and a survey about public interaction with the council on planning issues.

Find out more at   Environment / Planning / Overview of and changes to planning system

What do you want the Black Isle and your communities to be like in the future? What are the changes you would like to see?  What kind of voice do we want to have . .

Nick Wright, planner and facilitator for the Black Isle Local Place Plan, writes

At eight community events across the Black Isle in March, over 250 people shared over 1,700 suggestions for the future of the Black Isle: about housing, facilities, services, transport, jobs, the environment and more.

If you weren't able to come to an event, now it's your turn!  Take the survey to tell us your priorities for the future.

Click on this link to complete the survey, find out more about the plan, and see the display boards shared at the events.  You can also see the suggestions received so far. They're fascinating!

We don't yet know what will be in this new community-led plan.  We need your views to tell us what the priorities should be.  

We'll keep you posted about the next stages in the spring and summer to share the results, explore solutions to tackle your priorities, and draft the plan. 

You and your neighbours, family and friends can sign up to receive  this and future bulletins    here .

For more information contact one of the Place Plan team:   Becky Richmond (Project Manager) [email protected] Nick Wright (planner/facilitator) [email protected]                                                           07900 334110

January 2023

A note by Becky Richmond , Place Plan Project Manager for Black Isle Partnership

As most of you are aware, the Black Isle Partnership was awarded funding from the Place Based Investment fund to facilitate the production of a Black Isle wide Local Place Plan.  The aim of the Plan is to build on the community cohesion that evolved throughout the pandemic and provide a Black Isle wide vision for the future. 

It will build on existing surveys and will consult communities on their priorities for the next ten years.  There will be a specific focus on the issues around strengthening community resilience through addressing economic impacts on the community, an issue that has become more pressing with the current rise in the cost of living.  Health and wellbeing and the climate crisis are the two other key focuses for this Plan.

Read the full note

TBI Convenor Julian Paren has also written an article for our newsletter on the importance of the Local Place Plan to be formulated during the coming months for the long term future development of the Black Isle.

Read Julian's article

A response by Jon Palmer , a former director of Black Isle Partnership, to Highland Council's 'Have your Say' consultation in August-September 2022.  Jon is critical of the unstructured nature of this consultation and sees the proposed Black Isle Local Place Plan as a much more robust means of ascertaining the recovery and development needs and future spending priorities of Black Isle communities.

Read Jon's response

Scottish Government policy circular  1/2022  Local Place Plans https://www.gov.scot/publications/circular-1-2022-local-place-plans/

'Our Place' policy outline and guide https://www.ourplace.scot/home/local-place-plans

This document reveals that Nick Wright, who has been contracted by Black Isle Partnership to prepare a local Place plan for the Black Isle, is a leading authority on the concept and practice of Place Plans via his company Nick Wright Planning  .  The ourplace.scot website contains a link to a downloadable PDF guide to creating a local place plan, prepared by Nick Wright and the Scottish Community Development Centre .

Nick Wright's website contains a link to a blog by Nick and Ines Triebel on '20 Minute Neighbourhoods in the Highlands and Islands' .  The work outlined in the blog led to a detailed report exploring the possiblity of this at first sight unlikely concept.

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