Embo via the Old Railway Line

Suitable for: Older children and dogs

Starting point: Cathedral Green

Description: This lovely circular walk from Dornoch to Embo and back takes in many different landscapes. You’ll pass through woodland, fields and beaches and walk alongside the world-famous Royal Dornoch Golf Course. Please respect golfers and wait quietly while strokes are played.

On the way out you will get great views northwards towards Golspie and the Sutherland hills, whilst on the return you can view the historic skyline of Dornoch and the lighthouse of Tarbet Ness across the Dornoch Firth.

Starting from the Cathedral Green, walk east to the bottom of The Square and cross straight over the junction onto Argyle Street. Climb the hill past The Hub and pass the Royal Golf Hotel on your right. Continue along Grange Road, with the Dornoch Hotel on your left and keep straight on at the junction with Stafford Road.

At the end of the dead-end, there’s a gate leading onto a path skirting the edge of the golf course – look out for any stray balls – and keep to the left to join the path running along the top of the course. Follow this for around 05.km until the path joins a road that drops down to the right over the golf course to the top of the beach. Follow this along the length of the golf course before taking the signposted footpath through the dunes (you can also cut down onto the sand here, however note that there is a slight climb over the dunes at the burn to get back on the path, which may be unsuitable for those unsteady on their feet).

Once you reach the burn at the entrance to the caravan park, take the path to the left up onto the railway line and follow all the way back towards Dornoch. At the white house, take the road round to the left and join back onto your original route at the top of the golf course. Almost immediately you’ll see a path veering to the right through Earls Cross woods. Follow the tracks through the trees back into town.