A weekend in Plockton

Palm trees and sailing boats on a sheltered Highland sea loch

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

Plockton is a pretty conservation village on the shore of Loch Carron in the north-west Highlands, with a curved bay of white cottages, palm trees thanks to the mild Gulf Stream and sailing boats on the water. It was the setting of the television series Hamish Macbeth.

It is on the scenic Kyle line, with trains from Inverness, and is close to the Isle of Skye bridge and Eilean Donan Castle.

Best forWildlife lovers, Walkers, Couples, Dog owners

Best time to goMay to September for the best weather. Autumn colour and clear air are lovely, and winter is quiet.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereInverness: About 2 hours by car, or about 2 hours 30 minutes by train.

Check prices for a weekend in Plockton

Plan your weekend in Plockton

Top attractions in Plockton

The village and bay

A crescent of whitewashed cottages around a sheltered harbour, with palm trees.

Seal-watching boat trips

Short trips from the harbour to see common seals and other wildlife.

Plockton Hotel and the pub

A friendly local pub overlooking the bay, with seafood and live music.

The Kyle Line

One of Britain's most scenic railway lines, from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Eilean Donan Castle

One of Scotland's most famous castles on a small island, about 20 minutes away.

Best things to do in Plockton

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Jacobite steam train

The Jacobite is a steam train that runs between Fort William and Mallaig on the West Highland Line, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. Allow about 2 hours each way.

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre near Aviemore looks after the only free-ranging reindeer herd in the British Isles. Allow about 2 to 3 hours.

Fairy Pools walk

The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear blue pools and waterfalls on the River Brittle, under the dramatic Black Cuillin mountains. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Best areas to stay in Plockton

The village

A few small inns and guesthouses.

Duirinish

A quiet hamlet on the same peninsula.

Kyle of Lochalsh

A larger village near the bridge to Skye.

Best hotels in Plockton

Prices for a double room in Plockton typically fall around £130–£220 a night in this price band. Guesthouses and B&Bs are usually the best value, while boutique hotels and inns with rooms suit a treat. Read recent guest reviews and use the filters on the booking sites for the things that matter to you.

Compare places to stay in Plockton

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Plockton

May to September for the best weather. Autumn colour and clear air are lovely, and winter is quiet.

Seasons that suit Plockton well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Plockton

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Plockton

From Inverness: About 2 hours by car, or about 2 hours 30 minutes by train.
From Glasgow: About 4 hours 30 minutes by car.
From Fort William: About 1 hour 45 minutes by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Plockton

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in The village.
Saturday: Start with The village and bay, then Seal-watching boat trips. In the afternoon, head to Plockton Hotel and the pub.
Sunday: Visit The Kyle Line or Eilean Donan Castle, then head home.

Packing list for Plockton

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Walking gear Wet-weather gear Beach and coast gear

Good to know

The roads are narrow and winding, with passing places.
Midges can be bad in summer.
Accommodation is limited, so book early.

Plockton weekend FAQs

Is Plockton worth visiting?

Yes. It is one of the prettiest villages in the Highlands, with a lovely setting and good pubs.

Can I reach Plockton by train?

Yes. The Kyle Line from Inverness stops at Plockton, a scenic journey of about two and a half hours.

More weekend ideas

Isle of SkyeHighland

Jagged mountains, fairy pools and wild Atlantic coast

UllapoolHighland

A white-painted harbour town and the ferry gateway to the Outer Hebrides

Fort WilliamHighland

The outdoor capital of the Highlands, at the foot of Ben Nevis

InvernessHighland

The capital of the Highlands, with Loch Ness, Culloden and dolphins nearby

Explore more: Best weekend breaks in Scotland · Best coastal weekend breaks in the UK · Best dog-friendly weekend breaks in the UK · Best romantic weekend breaks in the UK

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.