Local beacons of interest abound

■ Cromarty Lighthouse was built by Alan Stevenson and was operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board to guide ships into the Cromarty Firth from the Moray Firth from 1842 until it was decommissioned in 2005. Now used for marine research and teaching by Aberdeen University, the tower and cottage still provide stunning backdrops to photos and offer inspiration for artists.

■ Cromarty House dates back to 1772 and was built for George Ross of Pitkerrie after he purchased Cromarty Estate. The impressive pile was restored in the 1960s by the Nightingale family. Guided tours of the mansion make for a great day out with family and friends.

■ Cromarty Courthouse Museum hosts interesting exhibitions covering the history of the town in an impressive piece of 18th-century architecture on Church Street. Meanwhile, the Courthouse shop offers a range of locallysourced goods, including craft items and baked goods.

■ Visitors can step back in time at Hugh Miller’s Birthplace and Museum, run by the National Trust for Scotland, also on Church Street, and discover the story of one of the country’s most influential 19th-century figures. Miller was known for his work as a fossil hunter, folklorist, stonemason, geologist and newspaper editor.

■ Victoria Park is located just off the High Street, in the centre of the town, and provides a large grassed area in which to enjoy the sun on warmer days and for special events such as the annual Gala Week, held in July.