Black Isle visitor map

2020 Covid-19 Edition of the Visitor Map for the Black Isle

Have you ever had to draw a map on a scrap of paper to help lost tourists?

Visitors to the Black Isle are able to find their way more easily to all the many attractions of the area, thanks to a the Black Isle Visitor Map first published by Transition Black Isle in 2015. It is now in its Third Edition.

The free maps, in tear-off pads, show the peninsula on one side and detailed maps of the local villages on the other, along with key tourist information.  Visitors are able to see at a glance where to find cafes and restaurants, food shops, local food and drink producers, gift shops and galleries, arts, culture and heritage attractions, outdoor activities, and the best spots for cycling and walking, along with all the usual visitor information.

The map is an initiative of the Black Isle Tourism Team, a loose grouping of people from local businesses and organisations with an interest in tourism, with support from the Black Isle Partnership.  The original map was created by Black Isle Bicycles (a subsidiary of Transition Black Isle) through funding from The Coastal Communities Fund, and from The Highland Council, both from the Tourism Department and the Ward Discretionary Budget.

In particular the map owes much to Transition Black Isle's Million Miles Project.  Their Active Travel Map formed the basis of the tourism map and relied on the same database maintained by cartographer Helen Stirling.  Both the Visitor Map and Active Travel Map have been updated over the years with each benefitting from improvements from each other.  The 2020 Visitor Map is a Covid-19 edition with requests to visitors to observe local rules and to “Support Local Business, Respect Local Needs, Stay Apart and Keep Connected”.

Tear-off giveaway maps are popular with businesses and visitors alike because you can write websites or phone numbers on them, mark routes and destinations, and generally help visitors find what they're looking for more easily.  The map pads are available for collection through local shops etc and everyone who deals with tourists - B&Bs, self-catering businesses, attractions, cafes etc. 

JP

You can preview the  Black Isle map  and the  village plans .