Plockton - village in the Lochalsh, Highlands, Scotland, UK

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.

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), 57.3943°, -5.4529°. April-Oct daily 10:00-17:00. 20 acres of woodland, fern and Himalayan species, dotted with sculptures. Adult £8 2020-03-02

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 10:30, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00. 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 2019-08-01
• Lochcarron Highland Games are held in July on Attadale Estate, east along A890. The next are on Sa 15 July 2023.

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, 57.339719°, -5.650604°, +44 1599 544263. Coffee shop open year round daily, light lunches Tu-Sat. Restaurant Apr-Oct Tu-Su 11:30-14:30 & 17:00-21:00. 2019-02-05
• The Harbour Fish Bar, Innes Street, Plockton, +44 1599 544479. Daily 12:30-14:30 & 17:30-20:00. Traditional fish & chips, chicken, Stornoway black pudding, etc. Seating outside. 2019-02-05

Drink

• The Plockton Inn also has rooms.

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, 57.3386°, -5.6515°, +44 1599 544274. Cosy two-star with public bar and restaurant. B&B double £150 2022-08-26
• Plockton Inn, Innest St IV52 8TW (by harbour car park), +44 1599 544222. Friendly pub with rooms. B&B double £115 2022-08-26
• Duncraig Castle, Duncraig IV52 8TZ (A mile east of village), 57.338°, -5.633°, +44 1599 544295. Hotel in refurbished 19th century mansion, great comfort and service, often hosts weddings. B&B double £300 2022-08-26

Connect

As of July 2022, you might get a signal in Plockton from EE or O2, but nothing from Three or Vodafone. 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.