LOCH FLEET

Around three miles north of Dornoch is Loch Fleet, a large, shallow estuary which is a nature reserve run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The environment around the shore of the Loch consists of pine woods, salt marsh, sand dunes and coastal heath with gorse and heather, and the creatures making their home there include two of Britain's most charming mammals, pine martens and otters. There are also seals and water voles, while for the birdwatchers the wide variety of birdlife includes pink-footed geese, skylarks, song thrushes and eider ducks. At the mouth of the Loch are the ruins of the 14th century Skelbo Castle; an earlier castle on this site was captured by Robert The Bruce.

Map of the area.

Loch Fleet - geograph.org.uk - 583032. Photo by John Allan, via Wikimedia Commons.