Easter 2022 – Plockton Area

This year (by popular  demand!) I've booked our accommodation on the West Coast of the highlands. Large rentable properties like the exceptional Innes House in 2021 are almost non-existant on the west so this means returning to a collection of smaller self-catering houses .  Normally our Easter week would include Easter Sunday, but this had much fewer houses available to rent. It would also have ended only a week from the UK early May Bank Holiday.  I have instead booked the earlier week that includes Good Friday.

Our accomodation is now booked, starting on  Saturday (pm) April 9th to Saturday (am) April 16th 2022. 

As important as having places to stay - and perhap more - is to have somewhere to all meet, eat and talk in the evenings.  Stromeferry and Achmore Village Hall have let us have exclusive use every day from Saturday to Friday 3pm to 10pm (though they won't care if we overrun at the end). The  main hall seats at least 50 and the kitchen is equiped for this number.  There will be no need to re-arrange tables and chairs each day and night and the seating looks comfortable.

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Mountains and other Walks

Mountains 

Five Sisters of Kintail photo: Leehein	Five Sisters and the Battle of Kintail Many of us have enjoyed this ridge on the north of Glen Shiel many times and perhaps some may walk it again. The 4th top (counting L-R) is Sgùrr na Ciste Duibhe "Peak of the Black Chest". and hidden behind is a subsidiary peak Sgùrr nan Spàinteach "Peak of the Spaniards". This takes its name from 200 Spaniards on the side of Jacobite rebels, who retreated over the peak during defeat in the battle of Glenshiel. The last close engagement of British and foreign troops on mainland British soil. The remains of a stone dyke enclosure for the Jacobite's munitions is still visible.	An accurate, contempoary painting of the battle looking down Glenshiel with Peak of the Spaniards on the right
Sguman Coinntich. An easy ridge-round from the head of  Loch Long or a longer day including Corbetts Aonach Buidhe & Faochaig  photo: Richard Webb	South Glensheil ridge - 7 Munros ... unless you make it 8!	Corbett: Sgùrr Mhic Bharraich at he head of Loch Duich. An easy ascent from Shiel Bridge with good views of the Five Sisters . photo: Clare and Daniel Gordon

Auchtertyre Hill  A special suggestion for the trig point collector(s).Can be acsended from Duirinish. 452m and 7259th highest peak in the British Isles. Good view over Plocton.

Corbett: Sgùrr a' Chaorachain  Applecross. Barely a stroll from the road at Beallac na Ba.  Explore all the  'H'-shaped ridge including Beinn Bahn (with trig point!)  photo: Dave Croker

Fuar Tholl from Sgurr_Ruadh Take the train to Achnashellac to climb the Cuillin Forest hills or take a long circular walk through them back to Strathcarron station  photo: Mick Knapton

Low Level Walks & Cycles

Walking & Cycling Routes

Balmacara Square and Woodland Garden Balmacara is 3 miles short of Kyle. The village is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and the visitor centre with workshops is the start  point  of several walks, some leading to Kyle others exploring the woodland garden with its Rhododendrons and primulas.. Photo: Dave Fergusson

Cycling loop onto Skye For the keen cyclist here is a moderately challenging route: of 47.5 miles with 5000ft of ascent.

Loch Achaidh na h-Inich To the east of  Duirinish and Plockton Is a large area of woodland, open moorland and lochs with a network of forestry tracks and paths to explore. There are also minor surfaced roads which cyclists can probably combine with forestry tracks.  It is possible to plan several routes all the way to Balmacara  Photo: Dave Fergusson

Eilean Donan Castle Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, Eilean Donan lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years until Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and proceeded to restore the castle to its former glory. After 20 years of toil and labour the castle was re-opened in 1932. The castle is open 10 until 6 every day. Photo: Guillaume.	Attadale Gardens RHS Partner Garden open 10am - 5:00pm everyday. Sunken, Japanese and Kitchen gardens plus woodland and Fernery with about 20 scuptures scattered around the gardens..	Applecross Applecross Bay is one of the largest sandy inlets in the Western Highlands with views to Raasay and the Cuillins. On the shore is the volunteer run Applecross Heritage Centre, Open 10-4pm The Walled Garden of Applecross House covers 1.2 acres and is the kitchen garden for the house and restaurant.  Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 8:30pm and Sunday 11am – 4pm Serving food from 12:oopm
Calums Seal trips Operate from plockton harbour. one hour wildlife trips £15 www.calums-sealtrips.com/seal-trips/	Wild life Watching Boat Trips Glass bottom boat or fast rib to go further afield to posibly see dolphins, seals, otters, seabirds and a wreck. https://www.seaprobeatlantis.com	Glenelg Brochs Glen Beag has the substantial remains of 3 brochs (iron age dwellings), the 2 largest close to the metalled road. Towards tghe end of the road is a chambered cairn. There are several megalithic "cup-marked stones" thoughthese appear to be difficult to spot.

ACCOMODATION

The Village Hall (also see wider map at top)

Kitchen Facilities
Large double oven
Hob with 6 rings
New fridge & freezer (our food may be left in them)

With the sea at the end of the garden, and views across the village green to the bay, the Pink House is superbly located in the heart of idyllic Plockton. The house is only a few minutes' walk along the foreshore from Plockton's pubs, shops and restaurants, yet away from the hustle and bustle of the village centre. 

The house has three bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin and 1single).

Houses 2 (also see wider map at top) - Duirinish Lodges

There are nine Lodges of which I have booked six on a woodland site with some good local walking. They all have warm electric heating, well equipped kitchens (3 of our 6 have dishwashers), a TV with integrated DVD Player and free WIFI. They are all fully carpeted and bedlinen and towels are provided. The Lodges are set in a little valley of three acres of open grass and trees. We are bordered on two sides by a small burn (river) and you enter the site across a little bridge. Each Lodge has their own rustic garden seating and barbeque. They look good quality and reports are good.

Three lodges have a room with adult size bunks (one above the other). I intend that only the bottom bunk will be used and inless demand is very high, to limit these lodges to 4 people sharing the bathroom/toilet.

Each Lodge has its own garden furniture, barbeque and parking for at least 2 cars

Kitchens:
The kitchen is at one end of the open plan living area.  It is equipped with an electric cooker and hob, microwave
Eigg, Rona, Rhum Lodges have dishwashers.
Under unit fridges have a small freezer compartment. 
There are ample pots, pans and cooking equipment for 4 (or 6) people as well as all the crockery, cutlery and glasses that they will need.
Electric kettle, toaster. electric whisk, cafetiere

Facilities:
Oak dining table and chairs seat 4 (or 6) people and can be extended to seat 10
Electric shower over the bath or shower cubicle. Heated towel rail
TV with built in DVD/CD. Communal lodge has large number of DVD’s to borrow
Small selection of CD’s
Towels & bed linen
Tea towels
Wifi

	Living Room	Kitchen/Diner	Double	Twin	Bunk	Bath
Rhum						No picture Being converted to a walk in shower
Rona
Pabay
Longay	no picture				Bunk no picture	bathroom has a walk in shower and a 3/4 length bath
Eigg						No picture Bath with an electric shower over the bath
Raasay						Bath with an electric shower over the bath

House 3 (also see wider map at top) - Glenview

Tucked away at the end of the village is this lovely detached bungalow offers stunning views to the front and rear. The property is located next to the owners house however offers a high degree of privacy.  

The owners are the parents of the lady who runs the village hall. The house has three bedrooms (2 doubles and a twin) but do not want more than 4 people to occupy it. All three or any two rooms can be used.

West Bothy is a lovely 19th Century semi-detached cottage on the Arradale Estate (nearest part in the picture). A number of additions have been made lately with the entire cottage redecorated for 2021, with new curtains in the sitting room and a double-glazed front door in addition to the double glazed windows throughout.  Attadale Wild Venison sausages, burgers and more can be ordered in advance.

The house has three bedrooms (1 double and 2 twins).

Strathan Cottage is a well-built 1950s cottage, a semi-detached bungalow which sleeps six. A number of additions have been made recently including double glazing throughout, newly decorated kitchen with new carpet, and a wood burning stove.  Newly installed efficient & effective electric heating, new double glazed windows throughout and draft-excluding front door. Newly installed dishwasher. Attadale Wild Venison sausages, burgers and more can be ordered in advance.

The house has three bedrooms (2 doubles and a twin).