The beautiful town featured in movies and TV series - and has its own palm trees

28 January 2024 , 07:40

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Plockton - widely known as the 'jewel of the Highlands' - provides a beautiful setting for a staycation, come rain or shine (Image: Getty Images)

A beautiful town on the coast of Scotland that features in films and a TV series offers a stunning holiday destination - featuring an amazing beach and spectacular scenery.

Located in proximity to Glasgow and Edinburgh lies the beautiful coastal town of Plockton - widely known as the "jewel of the Highlands" - that provides a beautiful setting for a staycation, come rain or shine. It may be a four hour drive from then country's big cities but there's plenty of jaw dropping scenery along the way.

Situated in a sheltered bay overlooking Loch Carron, in Wester Ross, this National Trust for Scotland conservation village is known for its amazing coral beach and eye-popping coastal views. Boasting picturesque cottages all nestled around a tiny, quaint harbour, this seaside enclave even features its own palm trees, as well as heather and pine where Highland cattle are allowed to roam free.

The village of Plockton is home to just 468 people but still offers some of the best seafood around. Diners flock to the Plockton Shores Restaurant and often look to sample the glorious fish and chips on offer at The Harbour Fish Bar. The village also has a few screen credits to its name - once featured in classic 1970's horror The Wicker Man and, famously, hit 90s TV show Hamish Macbeth, featuring the now world famous actor Robert Carlyle.

Plockton boasts picturesque cottages all nestled around a tiny, quaint harbour (UIG via Getty Images)

During the summer, the village is bursting with tourists thanks to the annual two week sailing regatta which ends with a massive night of singing and dancing at a ceilidh. And throughout the year, day-trippers pop in for a stroll on their way to the Isle of Skye, just a 15 minute drive away over the bridge, which crosses the natural beauty of Loch Alsh.

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The Plockton Hotel hosts an annual Real Ale & Gin Festival each May to show off the best local producers and proudly sports a beer garden overlooking Loch Carron and enjoying a night or two in the company for the very friendly locals.

It may be a four hour drive from Scotland's big cities but there's plenty of jaw dropping scenery on route to Plockton (Getty Images)

Furthermore, Plockton is also home to the National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music. Musicians can be taught or fine tune their bagpipe skills, partake in Gaelic song, flute and whistle classes and, if you’re lucky, catch a performance or two in the pubs along Harbour Street. For those partial to the great outdoors, Plockton also offers kayaking, sailing and rowing - and there’s a good chance you’ll spot dolphins, porpoise, otters as well as lots of seabirds.

The village also boasts its very own art gallery and studio with exhibitions at the village hall and just a 15-minute drive away, Kyle of Lochalsh - the gateway to the Isle of Skye - has plenty of shops and restaurants too.

Joseph Gamp