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

 * Visit Plockton
 * Plockton Community Council

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.

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.
 * is a viewpoint reached by a short track from Frithard Road.

Do

 * There is plenty of opportunity for hill-walking locally.
 * 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.
 * 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.

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.

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.