A Lochalsh circuit from Plockton or Kyle of Lochalsh

This route starts at the famously pretty village of Plockton but can be just as easily undertaken from Kyle of Lochalsh.

The small lochside village of Plockton is a lovely place - straight off a chocolate box! Painted cottages hug the shore, palm trees line the street and the sea is studded with tiny islets covered in pine trees. Plockton is a favourite haunt for artists in summer when the light seems to have a wonderful quality. Visiting yachts provide an additional interest. The village was originally called Am Ploc - a crofting hamlet until the late 1700s; and later a port for those displaced to make room for sheep during the Clearances. Following this it became a fishing village and was renamed Plocktown. Though the fishing is now gone there are still plenty of other things happening. In the mid-1990s, the BBC filmed a drama series here - Hamish Macbeth.

Start from the railway station at the south end of the village and follow the minor road southwards towards the smaller village of Duirinish. Continue past Duirinish and Drumbuie to Erbusaig, with some wonderful views westwards to Skye and Raasay, until a junction is reached where a left turn leads onto the road to Balmacara. If starting from Kyle of Lochalsh following the road northwards (signposted to Plockton) will bring you to the same junction from the other side.

When Balmacara is reached turn left after which there is a short - 2 mile section along the A87 to Auchtertyre. This is a busy section of road. The A87 passes south of Auchtertyre after which a left turn leads onto the A890 - and a steep climb! At the top of the climb the road levels off and undulates fro a couiple of miles before dropping down through fiorest towards Stromeferry. Take the first turning on the left once into the forest and descend to Braeintra. Continue through Braeintra, turning left at the junction by Achmore and follow the road along the south side of the loch, past Duncraig Castle and back to Plockton.