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 early 19th century 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.
Understand
Plocton was built as a planned fishing village in the 1810s.
In the 1990s Plocton was the location for the TV series Hamish Macbeth, a comedy drama about the local police officer and his dog. If you don't remember it, look on BBC iPlayer (UK only).
Visitor information
Get in
By train: four trains run M-Sa and one on Sunday from Inverness, via Dingwall, Achnasheen, Attadale (for gardens) and Stromeferry to Plockton (2 hr 30 min). They continue to Kyle of Lochalsh (another 15 min) 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 about 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.
Get around
The village is small and pleasant to walk around.
See
- 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.
- 🌍 Attadale Gardens, Strathcarron IV54 8YX (10 miles east on A890 along Loch Carron). Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM. 20 acres of woodland, fern and Himalayan species, dotted with sculptures. Adult £8.
- 🌍 Open Air Church. open all the time. An open air free church established after the "Disruption" of 1843. The church was built in a natural amphitheatre, with the worshippers standing outside and minister preaching from a shed (to keep his sermon dry). The church 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. free.
Do
- There is plenty of opportunity for hill-walking locally.
- Calums Seal Trips, Harbour Street, ☏ +44 1599 544306. Wildlife watching trips (weather permitting) sail daily Easter 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 £12.
- Sea Kayak Plockton have outings suitable for beginners, with trips further out for the more experienced.
- Lochcarron Highland Games are next held on Sa 20 July 2024 on Attadale Estate, east along A890.
- Plockton Regatta is held over two weeks from the first Monday after the fourth Sunday in July.
Buy
Plockton doesn't have a village store. The nearest is the Co-op in Kyle of Lochalsh.
Eat
- Plockton Hotel: see Sleep.
- 🌍 Shores Restaurant, 30 Harbour St, Plockton, ☏ +44 1599 544263. Coffee shop open year round daily, light lunches Tu-Sa. Restaurant Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 11:30AM-2:30PM & 5-9PM.
- The Harbour Fish Bar, Innes Street, Plockton, ☏ +44 1599 544479. Daily 12:30-2:30PM & 5:30-8PM. Traditional fish & chips, chicken, Stornoway black pudding, etc. Seating outside.
Drink
- The Plockton Inn also has rooms.
- Plockton Brewery doesn't offer tours, but their ales are sold at the inn.
Sleep
- There are several B&Bs (doubles from £90) and self-catering cottages.
- Station Bunkhouse has two six-bed and two four-bed dorms. From £18 ppn; sole use £260.
- 🌍 Plockton Hotel, 41 Harbour St IV52 8TN, ☏ +44 1599 544274. Cosy two-star with public bar and restaurant. B&B double £150.
- Plockton Inn, Innest St IV52 8TW (by harbour car park), ☏ +44 1599 544222. Friendly pub with rooms. B&B double £115.
- 🌍 Duncraig Castle, Duncraig IV52 8TZ (a mile east of village), ☏ +44 1599 544295. Hotel in refurbished 19th-century mansion, great comfort and service, often hosts weddings. B&B double £300.
Connect
As of April 2023, you might get a weak signal in Plockton from any UK carrier, but there's no coverage on the approach roads. 5G has not reached this area.
Go next
- 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.