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King James IV of Scotland, sometimes known as Scotland's Renaissance Prince, encouraged a flowering of art, poetry, music and architecture in the country. In the twenty years from 1493 to 1513 he travelled on pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Duthac at Tain at least eighteen times, and probably more often. Occasionally he came alone or with a few servants; more often he journeyed with a larger group, including courtiers, Italian musicians, falconers, huntsmen, archers and perhaps his cook, a poet and his jester. His last journey was shortly before his death, along with many other Scottish nobles, at the battle of Flodden.
In the time of James IV, travel was difficult and the easiest and most important route was along the coast, crossing a series of ferries. When you follow The King's Route today you are passing along an ancient highway and you can still cross over The King's Ferry, between Cromarty and Nigg. It operates a frequent service between Easter and October and is now the smallest car ferry in Britain.
The old forests of the area have disappeared but the well established plantations of Scots pine offer an environment similar to native Caledonian forest. Many species of animals, plants and birds are established which are rare elsewhere, including red kites, capercaillie and wild cats.
Whales, porpoises and dolphins were once prized for their blubber and were reserved for the Crown. now the Moray Firth colony of bottlenose dolphins are valued for their own sake. They can often be seen from Chanonry Point and from Cromarty there are dolphin viewing boat trips.
Here is a possible itinerary to follow if travelling the King's Route from the south.
Rosemarkie's Groam House Museum contains the Rosemarkie Stone and an award winning display of other Pictish carving, while the Fairy Glen offers you a scenic walk through natural woodland.
Travel on to Cromarty "The Highlands' Top Historic Town" and discover this remarkable 18th century town with a visit to Cromarty Courthouse, winner of over a dozen awards and commendations. Included in the entrance price to the Courthouse is a walkman tape-tour around the older part of the town. You can also enjoy Hugh Miller's Cottage, birthplace of one of Scotland's outstanding men of letters of the 19th century, and there are dolphin viewing boat trips from the harbour.
Nigg Church contains another intricately carved Pictish stone.
The Seaboard Villages of Shandwick, Hilton and Balintore are a cluster of fishing settlements on the rocky North Sea coast, with the Shandwick Stone, another Pictish symbol stone, standing above them
The medieval Abbey of Fearn is now incorporated in the Parish church. Early on a Sunday morning in the autumn of 1742 a mermaid was seen by the shore of nearby Loch Slin, washing blood stains from more than thirty shirts. Later that day, during a service, the roof of the ancient church fell and killed many of the congregation.
The Tarbat Peninsula was the site of an early Pictish settlement at Portmahomack whose history is now being discovered through archaeological excavations. You can explore this area by following The Pictish Trail - look out for signs and leaflets.
Our journey ends at Tain, the destination of Scotland's Renaissance Kings, who travelled on the King's Route. 1000 years of the town's history is brought to life at 'Tain Through Time' and your final stop can be at the Glenmorangie Distillery Visitor Centre.
Note: These details were believed to be correct at time of publishing, but may be out of date in some cases. Please check with the business using their contact details.
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