Holiday rentals in Plockton

Plockton is a small village in the Highland Council area on the northwest coast of Scotland. Part of the Balmacara Estate run by the National Trust of Scotland, this is a conservation village nestled on the shores of Loch Carron, looking out across the water to the mountainous terrain and woodlands of the Appledore Peninsula. Water has always been at the heart of Plockton, with the village founded in the early 19th century to support the herring fishing industry. Today, cruises head out across the waters to spot seals, alongside the rowing and sailing boats on this sheltered bay.

A walk along the headland takes you through yellow gorse to Plockton Coral Beach with its calcified seaweed called “maerl.” The main street runs along the harbour, with a row of whitewashed buildings overlooking the water, while an old white cottage with a thatched roof is a reminder of the Scottish crofting carried out through the area. Despite being so far north, palm trees and tropical cabbage trees feature throughout the village due to the mild climate from the North Atlantic Drift.

The summer tends to be the busiest time for Plockton, particularly during the holidays for Scottish schoolchildren, from the end of June to the middle of August. This is also when days are long, and temperatures are often milder than in other parts of Scotland. The main event in the village calendar is a sailing regatta, which runs for two weeks from late July to early August. A wide selection of races occurs, culminating in a festive atmosphere throughout the village with singing and dancing.

From the autumn to the spring, the nights are longer, the temperatures are colder, and it can sometimes snow in the village. It can be a quieter time, and some activities do not run; for example, the seal-spotting trips only operate from May to October. But as the area is even more peaceful, it gives you a chance to explore with fewer visitors around.

Carn na Frith-aird viewpoint

Starting from the main harbour, you’ll take the 10-minute walk through the village and up a rocky slope, following the way-marked path to reach the Carn na Frith-aird viewpoint above Plockton. It features a toposcope, a stone bench, and a wooden bench, with views to the north across Loch Carron to the Applecross Peninsula and to the west of the Cuillin mountain range on the Isle of Skye.

Lochalsh Woodland Walks

Along the Loch Alsh shoreline, five miles south of Plockton, is a woodland part of the Balmacara Estate. Several trails run through these sheltered woods, with different lengths and degrees of difficulty. The landscape boasts a mix of native and exotic plants, from bamboos and rhododendrons to pine, oak, and rowan.

Plockton Open Air Church

Between the harbour and the train station is an area of land classed as a scheduled monument, dating back to the 19th century. The countryside forms a natural amphitheatre, and members of the Free Church chose this location to hold their open-air services. You can still see some of the stone pews created for the worshippers and the walled entrance, now surrounded by gorse. In the rain, the preacher was protected from the elements thanks to an iron shed.