On my way back in direction of Eilean Donan Castle, I made one more stop at the stunning village of Plockton on the coast of Lochalsh.
This small lochside village is one of the most attractive in Scotland, an idyllic place in an idyllic setting. A row of neatly painted cottages hugs the shoreline following the curve of the tiny harbour. Palm trees line the main street and the whole scene is framed by a landscape of islands, heather and pine. Across the harbour the views are of white cottages on a craggy point, with the mountains of Wester Ross in the background. It comes as no surprise to find that Plockton is a haven for artists. (Undiscovered Scotland)
During the time of the “clearances” in the early 17th century, the landlord Sir Hugh Innes decided to offer tenants cleared from inland areas and alternative to emigration: they could resettle to a small fishing port he was developing under the name of “Plocktown”. Thanks to the herring boom the town grew to 500 people living there. Unfortunately, the fish changed their migration pattern and fishing on a large scale was never resumed.
Today Plockton offers a variety of hotels and restaurants and is a fixed point on the map for tourists to enjoy boat trips, walking and a very special light.
