Walks in Plockton
Plockton Brae: The Brae is a lovely track that runs along the top of all the gardens parallel to Harbour Street. It is an easy stroll and provides wonderful views over Plockton. It runs from the Plockton Inn to the end of Harbour Street. You can also get to the brae through the gate at the top of Polly’s House back garden (please shut the gate)
The Carn an Frith-aird Viewpoint: Walk to the top end of Harbour St (left out of Polly’s House front door) and follow the road sharp left. Walk up Frithaird Road for a few minutes until you see the signpost for Carn an Frith-aird viewpoint on the right. Follow this direction and take the path that branches off to the right then climb up through a rocky path for approximately 5 minutes until you reach the viewpoint. It is an easy hike. Your reward is wonderful views of the Isle of Skye, Crowlin Island, Kishorn and the Applecross Peninsula.
Rhuda Mor Woodland walk: The entrance to the woodland walk is at the top end of Harbour St through the driveway to the left with the cattle grate. Walk a few minutes and the turn right and follow the path through the field to reach the woods. There is another walk option here which takes you over a higher path with views towards Applecross, which you access on the left-hand side of the drive before the main house. (Do not walk past the main house) This will eventually take you to the ‘cockle bay’, which you can only access at low tide. When you cross the bay, you will find a hidden coral beach to the right-hand side next to an island with a lighthouse. It is essential that you check tide times before crossing the bay and exploring the coral beach – Plockton Tide Times.
After walking, especially through areas of bracken or woodland, please check for the presence of ticks, especially on your legs and arms. Remove any ticks daily.
Walking Beyond Plockton
The areas surrounding Plockton offer some of the UK’s best walking. Whether along dramatic coastlines or mountainous terrain, you will find inspiring walks. For further information we recommend you check out the website of Walk Highlands (www.walkhighlands.co.uk), where you can find guides to many walks in the local areas of Kintail and Lochalsh, Isle of Skye and Torridon and Gairloch.
A number of the walks, especially those in the mountains, will require a level of fitness and clothing/equipment suited to all that the changeable weather in the area has to offer. Always remember:
To wear suitable clothing – what may start as a beautiful sunny day, could quickly change to cold and wet conditions.
Check detailed local weather forecasts. West Highlands Forecast (mwis.org.uk)
Know your rights and responsibilities
Ensure you have plenty of time to complete your walk within daylight hours. The hills can be disorientating places at night even for the most experienced walkers.
Plan your route carefully and ensure all members of your party have the necessary experience and fitness required. In the event of difficulties, help or assistance could be many hours away.
File a route plan with a responsible adult contact. Phone signals may not work in remote locations, so it is important someone knows of your plans.
For further information please refer to the Mountaineering Scotland website (www.mountaineering.scot)
Places of Interest and Excursions
Alongside the stunning scenery of the area, there are many wonderful experiences to enjoy during your stay in Plockton. With a wide choice of outdoor activities on both land and sea, historically significant attractions and a vibrant craft and artistic community throughout the region, there is much to see and explore. Below is a small selection of local activities and places of interest. Please remember that many of these activities involve travel and we always advise you check availability and opening hours before setting out.
Plockton
Calums Seal Trips: No visit to Plockton is complete without going out to meet the local seals on Calum MacKenzie’s boat. The trip is approximately 1 hour. Tickets can be bought at the gift shop Hidden Treasures just down from The Plockton Shores, or online
Two Hour Sunset Cruise on the Spindrift IV: Calum’s alternative boat operating from Plockton. Minimum parties of 6. Bookings only.
Sea Kayak Plockton: Offers Kayaking courses for beginners in Plockton, more advanced skills for those with intermediate experience and expeditions to the islands of the inner and Outer Hebrides.
The Studio, Plockton: Our local gallery and craft shop located in the heart of Plockton. Pick up a small memento of your stay in Plockton.
Kyle of Lochalsh – The Gateway to Skye
Seaprobe Atlantis: This boat operates out of the old ferry slipway at Kyle of Lochalsh. With underwater viewing areas you can experience the variety of marine life on the seabed and get close to a WWII shipwreck of HMS Port Napier.
Spirit of Adventure: Operating from both Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin offering sea fishing (equipment provided), dolphin watching, diving trips and private charter. Must be booked in advance.
Kyle Station Museum: Discover the history of the world-famous Kyle rail line, one of the great railway journeys of the world, and how the railhead at Kyle became significant in the development of commercial fishing off the west coast of Scotland.
Strathcarron and Lochcarron
Attadale Gardens: 20 acres of beautiful highland garden and woodland with a branch of the Midge Bite café
Carron Pottery, Craft shop and Gallery: Working pottery with broad selection of Scottish art and craft.
River Carron, Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing: The Attadale Estate owns the fishing rights on the river from the road bridge at Strathcarron to the river mouth. Day tickets are purchased for the two beats (maximum 2 rods/beat) by calling Roddy MacLennan on +44 (0) 78 1803 2368.
Lochcarron Weavers Heritage Shop: This quintessentially Scottish store offers a range of tartans, luxury knitwear, kilts, tweed clothing and complimentary accessories.
Glenelg and Arnisdale
Glenelg Skye Ferry: A fabulous day out is a trip to Glenelg via the world’s only surviving turntable ferry. The best way to do this is to drive onto Skye and take the ferry from Kylerhea back to Glenelg on the mainland (turning to Kylerhea is approximately 4 miles on the left-hand side after the Skye Bridge on the road to Broadford). The ferry operates from April until mid-October with a daily service from 10.00 to 18.00 (19.00 in June, July and August). Approximately 3 crossings/hour – lunch is usual taken between 13.00 and 13.30. The Shore Station on the Glenelg side has elevated views back across the Kylerhea straits and serves fresh tea, coffee and wonderful home baking as well as ferry related gifts and memorabilia. Once on the Glenelg village (mainland side) drop into the Glenelg Inn for lunch (served 12.00 - 14.30), or just have a drink in the garden, visit the ruins of the local fort built to put down the Jacobite rebellion, the Iron Age Brochs and Sandaig, the inspiration for Gavin Maxwell’s Ring of Bright Water. For spectacular coastal views of southern Skye and the Small Isles, take the 10 mile drive from Glenelg to Arnisdale. Drive back to Plockton over the Mam Ratigan which quickly takes you to a height of 1,116 ft above sea level and rewards you with stunning views of Loch Duich and the mountain range known as the Five Sisters of Kintail
Dornie and Morvich
Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie: Experience one of the most iconic images of Scotland in person. Situated on an island at a point where three great sea lochs meet, the castle and visitor centre are one of the most visited and important visitor attractions in the Scottish Highlands.
Falls of Glomach: One of the highest and most remote waterfalls in the UK. Involves a hill walk of approx. 17km/11 miles, from Morvich.
Willow Weaving Workshops, Dornie: Monique Bervoets offers short courses in the ancient art of willow weaving. Her creations are available at local craft fairs and at Croft Wools and Weavers at Cuaig (near Applecross).
Isle of Skye
Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye: One of Skye’s most visited tourist attractions. Often extremely busy. Take care if you swim in the ice-cold waters.
Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye: A unique and unusual landscape. One of Skye’s geological wonders.
Flora MacDonald’s Monument: Final resting place of the Scottish heroine who helped in the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the defeat of his forces at Culloden in 1746.
The Skye Museum: Step back in time to experience life in a highland village. This award-winning attraction offers an insight into life on the Isle of Skye over 100 years ago.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls: Giant basalt cliffs carved out by the sea below, with views back across to the Torridon mountains.
The Old Man of Storr: A large standing formation of rock north of Portree. An iconic image of Skye. Accessed on foot from the roadside car park (there is a parking charge).
The Quiraing: Atmospheric prehistoric landscape in northern Skye. Large visitor car park (there is a parking charge).
Misty Isle Boat Trips: Boat trips from Elgol up Loch Coruisk with stunning views of dramatic landscape of The Cuillin.
Isle of Skye and Boat Trips: See the local marine and wildlife around the small isles (Canna, Eigg, Rum and Soay) from either a RIB or rigid hulled vessel. Based in Elgol.
Torabhaig Distillery, Isle of Skye: Opened in 2017 on an old farmstead, Torabhaig is a must visit attraction for whisky lovers. Guided tours can be booked in advance and there is a well-stocked shop offering Torabhaig and Mossburn whiskies.
Talisker Distillery, Isle of Skye: Skye’s original licenced distillery producing the world-famous eponymous whisky. Guided tours can be booked in advance and their on-site shop offers the opportunity to purchase a wide selection of Talisker whiskies.
Isle of Skye Smokehouse: Award winning smoked fish. Guided tours available on application.
Isle of Skye Candles – Portree Visitor Centre: Shop the company’s flagship store, enjoy the on-site restaurant, cinema and wellness centre.
Skye Weavers: A small weaving business using bicycle pedal powered looms. Skye Weavers manufacture a variety of woollen products including scarves, blankets, throws and wraps. Tweed fabric is available in lengths to make up into a variety of home furnishings, garments and accessories.
Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye: One of the great Hebridean castles and the only Highland fortress to have been continuously occupied by the same family for over 800 years. Dunvegan Castle is in the northwest of Skye and is the ancestral home of Macleod of Macleod, chief of Clan Macleod.
Claigan Coral Beach, Dunvegan: Stunning coastal walk to a magical coral beach
Armadale Castle & Gardens: Ancestral home of MacDonald of Sleat, chief of Clan Donald, in the southwest of Skye.
The Misty Bottle: If you are looking for that special bottle of spirit to take home and remember your Highland adventure, visit The Misty Bottle in Breakish, Isle of Skye. A wee gem.
Raasay
Isle of Raasay: If Island hopping is your thing, visit the Isle of Raasay. Take the short ferry ride from Sconser on the Isle of Skye, either with a car or on foot, and experience the magic of this small island.
Raasay Distillery: A pioneering Scottish Island distillery producing a lightly peated single malt whisky and handcrafted gin.
With the wide choice of activities, interesting visitor attractions and places to eat, our list is not exhaustive, and we are always happy to hear of new recommendations from our guests as you explore the area so we can include these for future reference. Please email stay@pollyshouse.com with your personal favourites.