From the square in Dornoch follow the main road north towards Embo. When the turn off to Embo is reached, the route continues straight ahead to Loch Fleet after which the southern shore is followed until the A9 trunk road is reached. Turn right onto the A9 which, although quite a busy road, only has to be followed for a couple of minutes until a left turn, signposted to Lochbuie, is taken. This quiet road is very picturesque, particularly in spring and early summer when the gorse and broom add splashes of yellow. The road climbs gradually up Strath Carnaig to Loch Buie after which the climb continues into wilder and higher country before it starts to drop down again towards Migdale and Bonar Bridge. At the crossroads beyond the summit take a left turn and follow this road downhill to Spinningdale on the shores of the Dornoch Firth. Join the A949 and follow it eastwards towards Dornoch. When the A9 is reached, ignore the obvious left turn onto the A9 to Dornoch and instead turn right to follow the A9 south for a mile before turning left onto the minor road signposted “Cuthill”. This quiet road across the links provides a much more pleasant return to Dornoch.
