Plockton

Plockton is a village on the west coast of Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands, with a population of 468 in 2020. In Scots slang a "plook" is a pimple, and The Plock is a small headland sheltering the harbour from the westerly weather. The settlement was laid out in the 1810s as a planned fishing village for those evicted from their crofts inland, and someone realised that "Plockton" might be a better name for the place. It's scenic and makes for a good film or TV location, such as the 1990s TV series Hamish Macbeth. Visitor information is posted at Visit Plockton.

By train: four trains run M-Sa and one on Sunday from Inverness, taking 2 hr 30 min via Dingwall, Achnasheen, Attadale (for gardens) and Stromeferry. From Plockton they continue 15 minutes to Kyle of Lochalsh, where they connect with buses to Portree on Skye.

🌍 Plockton railway station is a mile west of the village. It's just a platform halt with no toilets, ticket office or machines, buy on board if you start from here. There is step-free access to the sole platform.

By road Plockton is 7 miles north of Kyle of Lochalsh, take A890 then branch west down the coast lane. Macrae Kintail Bus 712 runs just once in the morning M-F from Corran via Glenelg, Dornie and Kyle of Lochalsh to Plockton. It immediately turns round for the return, so it's no help for day trips. The long-distance coaches to Skye don't come via Plockton.

The village is small and pleasant to walk around.

Moored boats in Plockton Bay

• Tropical Scotland: most west coast villages have a few palm and cabbage trees defiantly standing on the promenade, trying to make a point about the Gulf Stream. This far north it's slackened into the North Atlantic Drift, but it does keep the winter frost to a minimum. Plockton will never be mistaken for Tresco but its cabbage trees are doing okay.
• 🌍 Carn na Frith Aird is a viewpoint reached by a short track from Frithard Road.
• 🌍 Open Air Church is open free 24 hours. It was a "free kirk", the breakaway faction established after the Church of Scotland Disruption of 1843. It was built in a natural amphitheatre, with the worshippers standing outside and the minister preaching from a shed to keep his sermon dry. It was last regularly used in 1936, but is still occasionally used for weddings. The site is a scheduled ancient monument, and you can see the church wall and steps cut in the ground.
• 🌍 Coral Beach a mile west of the village is made of cold-water coral or marl. You'll need boots and a wetsuit if you venture into the water.
• 🌍 Attadale Gardens, Strathcarron IV54 8YX (10 miles east on A890 along Loch Carron), ☏ +44 1520 722603. Apr-Oct daily 10AM-5PM. 20 acres of woodland, fern and Himalayan species, dotted with sculptures. Adult £10, child free. (updated Aug 2024)
• Duncraig Castle a mile east of the village is a baronial pile built in 1866 for Alexander Matheson, who was stinking rich from the Chinese opium trade. It had a period as a hotel but is now a private residence, no tours.

• Rudha Mor is a private garden on the headland north of the village, but you're welcome to walk around the marked trail.
• Calum's Seal Trips, Harbour Street, ☏ +44 1599 544306. Wildlife watching trips (weather permitting) sail daily April to Oct, usually at 10:30AM, noon, 2PM and 4PM. The boat Sula Mhor takes 61, with 35 places bookable. Depending on tides it may sail from the car park pontoon or the main pier. Adult £17, child £8.50. (updated Aug 2024)
• Sea Kayak Plockton have outings suitable for beginners, with trips further out for the more experienced.
• Golf: the nearest course is Lochcarron GC 17 miles northeast. Nine holes played twice off white tees are 3605 yards, par 60, day ticket £25.
• Lochcarron Highland Games are held on Attadale Estate, east along A890. The next are probably Sa 19 July 2025, tbc.
• Plockton Regatta is held over two weeks from the first Monday after the fourth Sunday in July, so the next is probably M 28 July - Sa 9 Aug 2025, tbc.

Plockton doesn't have a village store. The nearest is the Co-op in Kyle of Lochalsh.

• 🌍 The Shores, 30 Harbour St IV52 8TN, ☏ +44 1599 544263. M-Th 9AM-3PM, F Sa 9AM-3PM, 6-10:30PM, Su 11AM-2PM. Open all year for quality meals or light bites. (updated Aug 2024)
• Harbour Fish Bar, Innes Street IV52 8TW, ☏ +44 1599 544479. April-Sep daily 12:30-3PM, 5:30-8PM. Traditional fish & chips, chicken, Stornoway black pudding, etc. Seating outside. (updated Aug 2024)
• Off the Croft is a take-away in Rowan Barn near the railway station, open M-Th 10AM-3PM, 5-8PM, F 1-3PM, 5-8PM.

• The Plockton Inn also has rooms.
• Plockton Brewery doesn't offer tours, but their ales are sold at the inn.

View of Plockton from Creag nan Garadh

• 🌍 Plockton Hotel, 41 Harbour St IV52 8TN, ☏ +44 1599 544274. Cosy two-star with public bar and restaurant. (updated Aug 2024)
• Plockton Inn, Innes St IV52 8TW (by harbour car park), ☏ +44 1599 544222. Friendly pub with rooms. They also run the nearby Haven Guest House. B&B double £180. (updated Aug 2024)
• 🌍 Duirnish Pods & Bothy, Parkhead, Duirnish IV52 8BE, ☏ +44 1599 544473. Great reviews for these comfy glamping pods. Three nights minimum May-Sep, two nights Oct-April. Dogs welcome. Double pod £200. (updated Aug 2024)

As of August 2024, Plockton and its approach roads have a basic mobile signal from Vodafone, and 4G from EE and O2, but nothing from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

• The lane southwest leads to Kyle of Lochalsh, where you cross to Skye on the toll-free bridge.
• Turn east for the picture perfect castle at Dornie, and A87 towards Loch Ness.
• A890 northeast brings you to the top of Loch Carron, joining North Coast 500 motoring itinerary.