A Guide to Plockton | Scotland’s Palm Tree Village
Thinking of visiting Plockton on Scotland’s west coast? I recently spent a weekend in this incredible coastal village, finding the best views, restaurants, and walks. A magical place, easily accessible from Skye, this guide to Plockton shares how to have the best day in Scotland’s palm tree village.
A village of palm trees, coastal views, seals, and incredible seafood.
Situated on Scotland’s west coast, not far from the Skye Bridge, Plockton is one the prettiest villages in Scotland. Plockton is often called the jewel of the highlands and it’s easy to see why - lined with swaying palms, quaint harbourside cottages, and endless sea views.
Plockton is a beautiful place and a delight for travellers seeking a gentle pace and magical vistas in this remote pocket of the western highlands.
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I recently spent a weekend exploring Plockton on a Scotland coastal road trip and found so many incredible things to see & do. And whilst we happily spent a few sun-soaked days here, Plockton is also perfect for a day trip from Kyle of Lochalsh, the Isle of Skye, or the NC500.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to visit Plockton, including how to get there. I’m also sharing the best places to eat, drink, and walk once you arrive.
Plus, I’m sharing a Plockton hotel guide to the best places to stay.
Quick Book: Where To Stay In Plockton
You’ll find a more details on where to stay in Plockton below. But if you’re short on time and looking to book, these are my top accommodation picks:
Plockton Inn: beautiful little hotel with cosy rooms, near the harbour. My top pick!
Puffin Cottage: stylish 3-bedroom cottage with mod-cons and heaps of space.
Plockton Sea View Apartment: gorgeous 2-bedroom cottage with a relaxed seaside vibe.
Where is Plockton?
Coastal Plockton lies in the western highlands, an area synonymous with stunning scenery and quaint villages. It’s a 15-minute drive from coastal town Kyle of Lochalsh, the gateway to the Isle of Skye. And a short detour from the NC500.
Although there are also excellent tours which visit this pretty coastal village (which I’ll cover below), the easiest way to visit Plockton is by car. Chances are you’ll be visiting Plockton from Kyle of Lochalsh, on your way to the Skye Bridge. Thankfully, the road between Kyle and Plockton is a straight-forward one, with only a few sections of single-track.
Alternatively, make Plockton an additional stop on your trip around the NC500. It’s only a short detour from Strathcarron, and very much worth the extra drive.
Plockton travel tips
Car rental: For those renting a car, I recommend Discover Cars, an easy-to-use comparison site where you’ll find cheap car hire from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness.
Parking: Once you arrive in Plockton, you’ll find a small amount of parking by the harbour. However, this can be busy, especially at weekends and in summer. Alternatively, park here by Coral Beach. From here, it’s a 25-minute stroll into the village and views are lovely.
Road Trip: Finally, if you’re looking for more places to see on the west coast then check out my Scotland West Coast road trip for inspiration.
How to get to Plockton
Self Drive Road Trip
You can visit Plockton on a Scotland West Coast road trip, and I recommend visiting on your way to the Isle of Skye. For a wonderful trip, start your trip with a visit to Glencoe and follow the road west towards breathtaking coastal scenery.
If you’re looking for recommendations of a route and where to visit along the way, check out my West Coast Road Trip map; over 500+ carefully curated destinations, viewpoints, restaurants, cafes, and things to see on Scotland’s west coast.
Best Plockton Tours
Those visiting Plockton on a day trip won’t need a tour. However, if you want to combine Plockton with a bigger trip around the Scottish Highlands including the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle, and don’t want to drive, then a tour is the perfect option.
Each of these tours leave from Edinburgh, visits Plockton, and have excellent reviews:
How to get around Plockton
Thankfully, everything that makes Plockton so wonderful is easy to explore on foot. Once you park up, simply follow your feet around the village. However, if you’d like inspiration, this walk is one of the best ways to explore Plockton.
Best things to do in Plockton
These are the best things to do in Plockton, including my favourite walks, viewpoints, and beaches.
1. Explore the waterfront: Undeniably small, Plockton is easily walkable and the best thing to do in Plockton is simply follow your feet. Start at the pier and follow the old stone walls along the waterfront, where the views over Loch Carron are wonderful.
This is also main street and the loveliest part of Plockton, built around the sheltered bay. Here, you’ll find a row of quaint cottages, perfectly preserved by their conservation status. And, of course, the iconic palm trees.
At low tide you can also walk to the cottages on Eilean nan Gamhainn - a tiny island that is briefly linked to the village at low tide.
2. Seal spotting boat trip: A boat trip around the bay is easily one of the best things to do in Plockton. Not only are you guaranteed to spots seals basking on rocky outcrops, this boat trip serves up seriously photogenic village views. Trips run four times every day and its best to book in advance here.
3. Go gin or whisky tasting: Looking to try Scottish gin or whisky? Then head to Plockton Tasting Room for an opportunity to sample Scotland’s premium spirits. Whilst there’s no formal schedule on their website, you can pop in. Find the Tasting Room here.
4. Explore the best viewpoints: Plockton is one of the most beautiful villages I’ve visited in the Highlands, and you’ll absolutely want to bring your camera. Other than the waterfront, the best views of Plockton are from Brae Track and the Càrn an Frith-aird viewpoints.
These are both incredible vantage points over the bay and the surrounding mountains, and this easy trail is one of the best things to do in Plockton. It takes around 1-hour to walk the circuit and along the way explores the waterfront and tidal island. Find the walk here.
Tip: You’ll find other walks around Plockton - watch out for wooden the National Trust signposts.
5. Drinks by the sea: If you’re lucky enough to have sunshine (and not driving) spend an afternoon enjoying the coastal views from the beer garden at the Plockton Hotel. The wooden deck is scattered with umbrellas and picnic benches, and is the perfect place to soak in the views over Loch Carron.
6. Visit Coral Beach: Plockton is surrounded by secluded bays, and one of the best spots is Coral Beach. Only a 25-minute walk from the village, this little cove is extremely beautiful. Here, shallow turquoise water meet a bed of crushed white coral - its clear how this cove got it’s name!
The walk to the beach is rocky but short, and you’ll want to visit at low tide to avoid scrambling over boulders. Also, there’s ample car parking. Find Coral Bay here.
Plockton restaurants
Something that surprised me about Plockton is the thriving foodie scene.
For such a small village, there’s a handful of really incredible restaurants, many serving locally caught seafood. Truly, eating out is one of the best things to do in Plockton. Here’s my take on the best restaurants in Plockton:
Plockton Shores: Overlooking Loch Carron and in the centre of the village, Plockton Shores is a modern restaurant with very cool vibes and excellent reviews. Specialising in seafood, they take local produce seriously, and serve dishes like freshly caught langoustines, lobster, and scallops.
Whilst the restaurant is only open in the evening, there’s also a small cafe next door serving cake and coffee during the day. Book a table at the restaurant here.
Plockton Inn: Located just back from the high street, the restaurant at the Plockton Inn is another seafood specialist. Their menu is varied, with heaps of seafood and fish, alongside a decent grill menu. If it’s a special occasion, or you want to sample a selection of Scottish seafood, the sharing platter is a must. Plus, there’s live music every Tuesday in the cosy bar next door. Book a table here.
Off The Croft Takeaway: Located just outside of the village and near Coral Beach, as the name suggests this takeaway option is part of a local farm. The setting is rustic and relaxed, and they serve a range of beef and venison burgers, alongside the most delicious halloumi sticks. Oh, and tempura monkfish. Highly recommend for a snack or casual takeaway lunch. Find it here.
The Plockton Hotel: In the centre of the village, the Plockton Hotel restaurant focuses on seafood and steak. Whilst I haven’t eaten here, it gets good reviews. But I can say from experience that their beer garden is excellent, with stunning views over Loch Carron. Book a table here.
Where To Stay In Plockton
Plockton is a popular day trip spot for travellers on the west coast, but it’s also a beautiful village to spend at least one night. Staying over means you can dine in one of the restaurants, listen to live music, and generally relax a little more. Plus, Plockton makes an excellent base for jumping onto the Isle of Skye.
Check out my guide to the best hotels and B&Bs in Plockton for a full list of accommodation. Or find my top picks below:
Plockton Inn: Less than a minute’s walk to the waterfront, the Plockton Inn is a beautiful little hotel. Colourful and cosy rooms are light-filled and spacious, a full breakfast is included, plus there’s a brilliant seafood restaurant and cosy bar downstairs. if you’re looking for a Plockton hotel, this is my top pick. Check availability and book here.
Puffin Cottage: This impeccably designed 3-bedroom cottage is probably one of the most stylish places to stay in Plockton. Whilst the exterior is quaint, whitewashed cottage, inside is all mod-cons with a spacious living room and kitchen. If you’re travelling in a big group, this would be my top pick. Check availability and book here.
Plockton Sea View Apartment: Another gorgeous cottage, this option has 2-bedrooms. Stylish on the inside, beautifully designed rooms have a relaxed seaside vibe. Inside you’ll find a small but fully equipped kitchen combined with an open plan living room. If you’re travelling in a smaller group, this would be my top pick. Check availability and book here.
Image via Booking.com
Camus Fearn Barn: This cosy little barn is the perfect choice for a couple who’d like more space and freedom. Equipped with a double bedroom and living room, there’s also a fully equipped kitchen and mod-cons. Reviews are excellent, and the coastal views are to die for. Check availability and book here.
Haven Guesthouse: Whilst this guest house is perhaps a little more dated than others on my list, reviews are consistently excellent, and a hearty breakfast is included. Plus, this guesthouse is less than a minute’s walk to the pier. Check availability and book here.
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