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.

Get in

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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.

1 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.

Get around

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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.
  • 1 Carn na Frith Aird is a viewpoint reached by a short track from Frithard Road.
  • 2 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.
  • 3 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.
  • 4 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

  • 1 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Drink

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

Sleep

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View of Plockton from Creag nan Garadh
  • 1 Plockton Hotel, 41 Harbour St IV52 8TN, +44 1599 544274. Cosy two-star with public bar and restaurant.
  • 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.
  • 2 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.

Connect

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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.

Go next

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  • 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.


This city travel guide to Plockton is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.