Plockton
If there were a poll taken of visitors' favourite Highland villages then you can bet your bottom dollar that Plockton would come top with most folk. If you look for a definition of picturesque in your dictionary, it'll say "see Plockton". Well, maybe not - but it should.
Plockton's neat little painted cottages are ranged around the curve of a wooded bay, with flowering gardens and palm trees. Yachts bob up and down in the harbour and there are views across the island-studded waters of Loch Carron to the hills beyond. Even on the telly Plockton's charms proved irresistible, and millions of viewers tuned in each week to watch the TV series Hamish Macbeth, which featured Robert Carlyle as the local bobby.
There are lots of good walks around the village. One of the best ways to appreciate it is to head up to Frithard Hill, from where there are great views of the bay. Another good walk is along the beach, starting from the High School playing fields at the top of the village.
Plockton's a popular place with artists who are drawn by the village's setting and the wonderful light. A good place to find some of their work, as well as other souvenirs, is The Studio Craft Shop, on the corner of the seafront and the road leading out of town.
Phone code: +44 (0)1599
East of Plockton, just before the road meets the A890 at Achmore is the West Highland Dairy, where you can pick up some good local cheese for a picnic (if the weather's fine). The road passes the turn-off for Stromeferry and continues along the east shore of Loch Carron to Strathcarron at its northeastern end, on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh rail line.
There's a postbus service from Strathcarron to Shieldaig and Torridon twice a day Mon-Sat.
About a mile further on you come to a road junction. The A890 heads right (east) through Glen Carron to Achnasheen, where it meets the A832 nine miles east of Kinlochewe. The A832 then continues east till it meets the main A835 which connects Ullapool with the A9 north of Inverness. The A896 meanwhile heads left (west) to Lochcarron.
Local Sights & Activities for Plockton
A good way to see the local wildlife is to take a boat trip. Leisure Marine (no website, 3rd party website), Tel. 01599 544306, runs one-hour seal and otter watching cruises in the summer for £5.00 per person Usually start every two hours from 10:00 running April to October, weather dependant. They also hire out boats.
Castles Nearby
Walks
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Balmacara Estate
Large NTS managed estate on south of Lochalsh peninsula. Excellent easy walking on trails through woodland, lochside and coastal. Ideal for younger kids as well.
Local Pubs
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Plockton Inn
Hotel & restaurant as well as lively local bar. Excellent local seafood and live music twice a week. Cask ales & drams.
Local Restaurants
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Plockton Harbour Fish Bar
Trad chippy on the harbour front in Plockton. Fish & chips the Scottish way
Plockton Hotels & Accommodation
The best place to stay, and eat, is The Haven Hotel, Tel. 544223, on Innes St. 15 rooms, open Feb-Dec. Good value and the food in the restaurant is quite superb (5-course dinner; expensive). Nearby is the cosy and comfortable Plockton Inn, Tel. +44 (0)1599 544222. There are quite a few places on Harbour St along the waterfront, including the wonderful and busy Plockton Hotel, Tel. +44 (0)1599 544274, which serves good food (mid-range) and has a great little beer garden at the front where you can sit and enjoy a drink on a balmy summer evening. There are lots of B&Bs to choose from and one of the nicest is the Shieling, Tel. +44 (0)1599 544282, at the far end of the harbour. Also on the seafront is E An Caladh, Tel. 544356. There's cheaper accommodation at the Plockton Station Bunkhouse, Nessun Dorma, Burnside, Tel. +44 (0)1599 544235.
A few miles out of Plockton, on the road to Achmore, is the E Craig Highland Farm, Tel. 544205, which offers B&B accommodation and self-catering cottages from £235 per week. The farm is also a conservation centre, where you can see and feed rare and ancient breeds of domestic animals. Apart from the hotels listed above, a good place to eat in Plockton is Off the Rails, Tel. 544423, at the railway station. It's open from 0830 for breakfast, snacks, lunch and evening meals (cheap to mid-range).
There's B&B accommodation at The Shieling, Tel. 01520-722364, open April-October, by the rail station; and at Achnashellach Hostel, Tel. 01520-766232.
Plockton Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Quirang Seaside Cottage near Kyle of Lochalsh - sleeps 8
Large bungalow near Plockton with four bedrooms sleeping 8 with excellent views. Wifi but no pets.
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Stromeferry Cottage, Loch Carron - Sleeps 6
A detached single storey cottage with a large garden, set back from the road which leads down the hill into the little village of Stromeferry. These are some of the most beautiful scenic surroundings .. -
Hirta, Plockton - Sleeps 2
Set in the heart of this picturesque National Trust village, this ground floor holiday apartment forms part of a sympathetically converted former church. Enjoy the fabulous scenery and the rich abundance o... -
Tigh an Fhuarain, nr Plockton - Sleeps 3
Enjoying breathtaking panoramic views across the sea to the Cuillins on the Isle of Skye, Tigh an Fhuarain property stands in its own garden on a croft and offers a peaceful location. Plockton, under a mil... -
Tigh An Roinn, Plockton, Sleeps 4
From its lochside setting in the pretty National Trust village of Plockton, this charming and comfortable listed cottage enjoys views of Plockton harbour and Duncraig Castle from the bedrooms. Positioned o... -
Sleepy Hollow, nr Plockton - Sleeps 3
These three adjoining holiday properties (refs SMMC, SMMD and UVO) are set in beautiful, landscaped grounds with spectacular views across the Sound of Sleat to Skye and are only 500 yards away from the sho... -
The Holt, Plockton, Sleeps 4/6
This attractive church conversion first floor apartment, in the heart of the National Trust Village of Plockton, offers visitors comfortable first floor holiday accommodation. Enjoy the views from the open... -
Tigh Na Dalach Cottage, Plockton - Sleeps 6
Set in what is acclaimed to be one of the west coast’s prettiest villages, this traditional, end-of-row, fisherman’s cottage has been sympathetically refurbished making it a bright and appealin... -
Sannachan, Plockton, Sleeps 6
With wonderful views across Loch Carron towards Duncraig Castle , this traditional stone holiday cottage is set in the heart of the National Trust village of Plockton. Refurbished to a very high stand... -
Parth-Galen Cottage, Plockton, Sleeps 6-8
Refurbished to a very high standard, Parth-Galen lies in a hamlet enjoying spectacular views over the west coast to the Isle of Skye and Raasay. One of a pair, it is set in a large garden with many woodlan... -
Duilisg, Plockton, - Sleeps 8
This beautifully renovated, stone holiday cottage is perfect for a quiet relaxing break or as a base to enjoy wonderful scenery and exhilarating outdoor pursuits. Regarded by many as the most attractive vi... -
Aros, Balmacara, Sleeps 4
Breathtakingly positioned amid National Trust woodland, in an enviable setting just yards from the shore, this tastefully renovated detached cottage is finished to a high standard. With splendid sweeping v... -
Glenview Cottage nr plockton sleeps 6
This well equipped detached single storey cottage, made suitable for wheelchair users, is situated in the hamlet of Achmore and surrounded by natural woodland and pine forests which are rich in wildlife. ...