Plockton - Scottish Highlands

Plockton

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The highlight of this year’s camping trip was to visit the village of Plockton, a short drive from the campsite at Glen Shiel. If you are wishing to travel there you should take the A87 towards Kyle Of Loachalsh and follow the signs for Plockton.

One of my favourite films is The Wicker Man and a number of scenes were filmed here so it was always a desire to see the village for myself. The opening scenes where Edward Woodward’s character lands his plane and wanders along a picturesque harbour were filmed in Plockton and it hasn’t changed in the intervening 40 years. Quite simply, Plockton is the most beautiful village I have visited anywhere and the only location that has the same magic is St Ives in Cornwall. This is the place I can envisage retiring to!

You'll never understand the true nature of sacrifice

As you approach Plockton, you’ll be lead down a narrow road through to the harbour where you can park by turning right at the waterfront. The shops, houses and hotel sweep around a small bay where cabbage palm trees stand giving the place an almost continental feel. During winter the seas are kept warmer by the Gulf Stream which means the temperature stays warm enough for the palms to flourish.  It was a gloriously sunny day with unbroken blue skies and in the shade it was almost hot. Walk along the front and you’ll find a small sea inlet you can cross (where Sgt Howie crosses in the movie) which takes you to a jetty out to sea., the road then turning back into the village.

You did it beautifully!

At this point we were getting a tad hungry and decided to pop into the Plockton Hotel for a meal. The hotel has the atmosphere you’d expect when visiting Scotland, small and quiet with inviting décor and more importantly a great range of real beers. I ordered a pint of Duncan’s IPA and after one mouthful it had already found its way to the top of my favourite beer list. This is a top draw IPA with a bright golden colour, almost fruity overtones and a very long lasting hoppiness which was perfect for the sunny day.  To top off the lunchtime we spotted the Manchester United v Chelsea game on the TV where we sat with yet more Duncan’s IPA. Sun, beer and football are most definitely a winning combination!

The sun was still shining after leaving the match so we headed off for a sit in the sun. If you walk towards the car park where you first enter the village then you can hop the harbour wall and perch upon the rocks and take in glorious view. The deep blue of the sea loch combined with the coastal mountains makes this one of the best chill out spots anywhere. We chilled for a good hour in the sun before heading back to Glen Shiel to prepare for another night at the Lodge and a few more beers.

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