The area surrounding Plockton is an area of great natural beauty offering all the outdoor pursuits normally associated with Highlands of Scotland. Here are a few...
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| Kyle of Lochalsh & the Skye Bridge | |
WALKING
Walking in Lochalsh is a pleasure. Vast open spaces, stunning scenery, castles and of
course the wildlife. Based in Plockton you are well placed to visit any part of Lochalsh,
Skye, Glenelg and of course the second oldest mountains in the world, the Torridon Range.
Anyone at the Seabank will be able to help you plan walks whether its a stroll on the hill
or trekking over the ridge of the Five Sisters of Kintail or through the world famous
Cuillins on Skye. Don't forget to see the Red Cuillins at sunset to see why they are so
called. Remember too that in some areas of the Cuillins the rock is magnetic and so your
compass (always carry this and a map) cannot be trusted.
Bicycles can be hired locally and we would be pleased to assist you in any way possible. The cycling in and around Plockton is simply superb, with empty roads and stunning scenery and rare wildlife.
FISHING
Sea Angling is available off the rocks or by chartered
boat through Leisure Marine in Plockton, who will be pleased to help you organise a fishing trip and hire tackle if
required.
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Boat trips to see the seals and sea birds leave from Plockton hourly in the summer. They are inexpensive and very popular. |
CLIMBING
The climbing in this area provides some of the most spectacular routes in the world. The
climbing ranges from what is basically gentle hill walking to severe on Cuillin Ridge
culminating in The Inaccessible Pinnacle. This is the only Munro in the country that is
thought to be a bit beyond all but the most experienced rock climbers. It is a very
exposed climb. Top
HISTORY
AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Lochalsh and Skye has been home to people since 6500 BC! At this time the Mesolithic
people ate, among other things, shellfish and we know this because of the shell midden
recently uncovered at An Corran close to Staffin in the north of the Isle of Skye.
Later around 3000 BC, the Neolithic peoples built more permanent homes although we do not
even to date know much about their shape or form. Traces of the people can still be seen
in the form of chambered cairns and mystical stone circles suggesting the stayed
permanently in one area and were less likely to be nomadic.
Next came the Bronze Age peoples at around 2200 BC and they too lived in similar dwellings
although not much is known exactly what form those took as remains are few and far
between. We do however know that around this time single burials began to take place and
that often a highly decorated pottery drinking 'beaker' accompanied the body, an
expression in the belief of an afterlife. Before this people were buried in a common grave
area. These stone slab coffins can be seen at Drinan and the summit of the carns at
Kilmarlie and Kensaleyre.
The iron age began about 700 BC and this is where Skye stands out in that it has numerous
examples of Brochs, Hut Circles, Duns and Souterrains (underground rooms). The latter can
be seen at Kirkton, Ullinish, Tungadale and Claigan. Brochs can be seen at Glenelg, Struan
and Duns at Rudh' an Dunain, Dun Grugaig.
Mediaeval period - During this era castles aplenty were erected and most survive in some
form or other today. Castle Maol or Moil is a fine example of this period and can be seen
at the head of Loch Alsh on the Kyleakin side, proudly perched on a rocky outcrop across
the bay.
In 1715 and again in 1745 came the famous Jacobite Risings the second of which spawned the
saga of Bonnie Prince Charlie (Edwart Stewart) and Flora MacDonald. This was to be
followed by the darkest period in the history of Scotland called the Clearances where
whole communities were uprooted by landlords (thrown out of their houses and moved
physically at bayonet point off the land - or worse) wanting to graze sheep there on. This
horrific scenario lasted almost 100 years from 1770 - 1850.
In more recent years castles were built at Dunvegan and at Dornie (Eilean Donan) and these are most definitely worth a visit.
Finally in 1995 the mainland was connected to Skye by the controversial Skye Bridge
although travellers can still come 'over the sea to Skye' using the Kylerhea or Mallaig
ferry connections.
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WILDLIFE
Its difficult to know where to start as the region has so many attractions for the
naturalist. Sea birds abound - Herons can be seen standing in the bay outside the hotel
and Oyster Catchers wander around the beach like clockwork models on orange legs. Otters
play in the loch and can also be seen from the Hotel. Further afield at Kylerhea on Skye,
is the world famous Otter Sanctuary where you will see otters aplenty. The author Gavin
Maxwell lived and worked here and inspired him to write the book Ring of Bright Water
which subsequently became a film of the same name. On the rocks seals bask and boat trips
regularly go off for a closer view. For keen photographic hunters, Sea Eagles can be seen
on the more remote lochs and there is a Golden Eagle on the crag behind Ardelve. Other
animals include Pine Martins, Buzzards, Porpoises and Dolphins, Killer Whales, Deer,
Foxes, Hen Harriers, and Weasels to name but a few. In general the further you go
from the beaten track the more interesting things you will see. Top
OTHER
ACTIVITIES
A new boat with an underwater viewing gallery is based in Kyle on which passengers
can sit (in the dry) and look out the windows at the teaming marine life in Kyle straits.
She also visits the wreck of the "Port Napier" several times a day and does
shorter biology trips to the kelp beds.
Kyaking, Sailing and Windsurfing are all enjoyed in the area.
Pony trekking too is popular with small stables in the immediate area . Again we at Seabank can advise on the best places to go.
SOUVENIRS
Hand knitted jumpers, Tartan in all shapes and forms, Paintings, Batik, Sculpture,
Literature and Poetry, Fossils and Stones, Pottery, Jewellery, Stained glass, Candles and
Music are all produced to the highest quality in the area, with demonstrations of the
particular crafts in many cases. Bring your credit card - you'll be glad you did. Craft
shops are located both in the larger communities and are usually the focus for local
craftspersons, but you are just as likely to find someone interesting in the country.
A few miles from Plockton is the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Its the clan seat of the Macraes and is well worth visiting.
The Distillery at Carbost on the Isle of Skye makes the famous Talisker Whisky and can be visited to see how the 'Uisge Bheath' literally 'water of life' is made. Carbost itself is a beautiful area of Skye.
The best souvenir of all is free - breathe in that clear fresh air kissed by the sea and the natural beauty that is all around you ...
Local: Eilean Donan Casle, Kyle, Kyleakin, Dornie, NT Gardens at Balmacara
Half day: Torridon, Glenelg
Whole day: Applecross, Skye, Gairloch
JUST ALONG THE ROAD ....
On the small headland called Rhu, across from Harbour Street, there is a rare survival of a “traditional” West Highland cottage, with low walls of whitewashed rubble and a heather-thatched roof. This has been recently restored and is in excellent condition, and gives us an example of how our buildings used to look.
In Innes Street at the south end of the village is a parliamentary church of 1827-8, harled with ashlar margins; it retains the original pulpit and sloping galleries, being one of the eight parliamentary churches in which galleries were built. Opposite is the single-storey manse, no. 81, now a private house. Just down the road is the Free Church of 1845, now made into flats, while nos. 4 and 5 Innes Street, a pair of mid-19th century two-storey houses, were the Free Church Manse and the Old Schoolhouse. The Primary School at no. 82 was built in 1889.
