- Plockton
Infobox UK place
official_name= Plockton
gaelic_name= Am Ploc
country= Scotland
map_type= Scotland
population= 378
population_density=
os_grid_reference= NG803334
edinburgh_distance=
london_distance=
latitude= 57.33801
longitude= -5.65231
post_town= PLOCKTON
postcode_area= IV
postcode_district= IV52
dial_code= 01599
constituency_westminster= Ross, Skye and Lochaber
civil_parish=
unitary_scotland= Highland
lieutenancy_scotland=Ross and Cromarty
constituency_scottish_parliament= Ross, Skye and Inverness West
website= [http://www.plockton.com plockton.com]Plockton ("Am Ploc/Ploc Loch Aillse" in Gaelic) is a village in the Highlands of
Scotland with a population of 378 [http://www.highland.gov.uk/plintra/iandr/cen/sz/plockton.htm] .It is a picturesque settlement on the shores of
Loch Carron . It faces east, away from the prevailing winds, which together with the North Atlantic Drift gives it a mild climate allowing palm-like cabbage trees to grow.Most of the houses date from the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a planned community based on fishing in an attempt to stem the tide of emigration from the Highlands. The
Church of Scotland in the village (also used by the Free Church of Scotland) was designed byThomas Telford .The village is a popular tourist resort, especially because the TV series "
Hamish Macbeth ", starringRobert Carlyle , was filmed there, substituting for the fictional Lochdubh. Plockton was also used for various scenes in the film "The Wicker Man" and theInspector Alleyn Mysteries TV series.The village boasts a small general store with a cafe; a takeaway; newsagent and craft shop; three hotels with pubs; numerous B&Bs; and a village hall, which holds community events and art exhibitions. It is served by
Plockton railway station , on theKyle of Lochalsh Line . In2003 , the Plockton Hotel and Plockton Inn managed to respectively win AA Pub of the Year and AA Seafood Pub of Year.Plockton High School serves the village, and a wide surrounding area.Nearby is
Duncraig Castle , a 19th century stately home built by the Matheson family, who made their money in theopium trade . The castle was derelict for many years, having previously been used as hospital, catering college, and a base for film crews. It is now owned by the extended Dobson family who are in the process of renovating it.External links
* [http://www.plockton.com/ Plockton web portal]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/eastmidlands/series6/castle_living.shtml BBC on The Dobsons and the Castle]
* [http://www.railscot.co.uk/Kyle_of_Lochalsh_Extension_Railway/frame.htm The Kyle Line]
* [http://www.scotlandthemovie.com/hamish/scenery1.html Hamish Macbeth at Scotland The Movie]
* [http://robinwilson.net/plocktoncu/plockton.html Panorama of Plockton] (QuickTime required)
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