Skelbo

Wander through pleasant mixed woodland down to the Skelbo burn

Families love the variety in Skelbo, from dipping for mini beasts in the wildlife pond beside the car park to hunting out the chainsaw-carved woodland creatures along the trail. It's a fun forest full of interesting twists and turns, open views and fascinating features, including the remains of an iron age broch and some impressive drystone walls.

Walking trails

Skelbo route card (PDF)

Walking

Skelbo Trail

Wander down to Skelbo Burn, listening for birdsong and spying sculptured carvings among the pines, before returning past the remains of a 2000-year old broch.

Firm gravel surface with uneven and occasionally muddy sections. One long fairly steep slope. Includes some steps and a narrow bridge.

1 ½ miles / 2.6 km

Allow 1 hour

More information

Follow this route in different seasons and you’ll always find something new to see. The trail winds down through rich mature conifers, crosses a narrow bridge and then follows the burn through open regenerating broadleaf trees. There are lovely views over to Loch Fleet as the trail rises slowly back to the car park past the remains of a broch.

Facilities and access

Walking

Parking

Picnic area

There are public toilets and places to eat in Dornoch 3 ½ miles (5.6 km) away.

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

Skelbo is just off the A9 between Dornoch and Golspie.

From Dornoch take the B9168 (Poles Road) from the war memorial, turning right onto the A9 after 2 miles (3.2 km) near the Trentham Hotel. Continue north for just under a mile (1.6 km) until you see the Skelbo forest signs. Turn right here and the car park will be on your left at grid reference NH 780 942.

From the south, take the A9 north towards Dornoch and follow the directions from the Trentham Hotel.

From Golspie and the north follow the A9 south for 7 ¼ miles (11.6 km) until you see the Skelbo forest signs. Turn left here and the car park will be on your left at grid reference NH 780 941.

Using SatNav?

The nearest postcode is IV25 3JG, which is a little further north on the A9.

Public transport

Sorry there is no public transport to Skelbo.

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