Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and lovely modernised rooms with heaps of space and dreamy views over the water. The
restaurant here is open to the public and serves good inventive bistro fare at fair prices.
PLOCKTON
POP 500
Idyllic little
Plockton
(
www.plockton.com
)
, with its perfect cottages lining a perfect bay,
looks like it was designed as a film set. And it has indeed served as just that - scenes from
The Wicker Man
(1973) were filmed here, and the village became famous as the location
for the 1990s TV series
Hamish Macbeth
.
With all this picture-postcard perfection, it's hardly surprising that Plockton is a tourist
hot spot, crammed with day trippers and holidaymakers in summer. But there's no deny-
ing its appeal, with 'palm trees' (actually hardy New Zealand cabbage palms) lining the
waterfront, a thriving small-boat sailing scene and several good places to stay, eat and
drink. The big event of the year is the
Plockton Regatta
(
www.plockton-sailing.com
)
, a
fortnight of boat races that culminates in a concert and ceilidh.
Activities
You can hire canoes and rowboats on the waterfront to explore the bay.
Calum's Seal Trips
(
01599-544306;
www.calums-sealtrips.com
; adult/child £9/5; Apr-Oct)
Calum's
Seal Trips runs seal-watching cruises - there are swarms of the slippery fellas just outside
the harbour, and the trip comes with an excellent commentary. Trips leave daily at 10am,
noon, 2pm and 4pm. You may even spot otters, and there's a longer dolphin-watching trip
available.
WILDLIFE CRUISE
Sleeping & Eating
The village has some excellent places to stay, but it's popular. Best to book ahead, espe-
cially if you plan to be here during regatta fortnight.
HOTEL
Plockton Hotel££
(
01599-544274;
www.plocktonhotel.co.uk
; 41 Harbour St; s/d £90/130, cottage s/d
£55/80, mains £8-16; )
The black-painted Plockton Hotel is one of those classic High-
land spots that manages to make everyone happy, whether it's thirst, hunger or fatigue that
