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Dornie - Kyle of Lochalsh - Plockton - Glenelg
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 Photo © Gordon C. Harrison click here to buy this picture |
8 miles before reaching Kyle of Lochalsh on the A87, you will find the picturesque village of Dornie where you will see the famously photogenic
Eilean Donan Castle.
Originally a stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail, it is now the clan castle of the
MacRaes and well worth the visit.
If you'd like to get married at Eilean Donan Castle, contact Highland Country Weddings. View the Eilean Donan interactive web cam courtesy of 9-1-4 Outdoor which is an outdoor clothing & equipment shop situated opposite the castle. |
The Lochalsh Woodland Garden at nearby Balmacara is open daily all year 9am - sunset. It is cared for by The National Trust for Scotland.
Click here for details of walks in Kintail and Lochalsh.
Highland Music Holidays (based in Dornie) offer tuition by experts in Scottish harp music, singing and traditional folk music. Accommodation provided.
Lochend Llamas (based at Invershiel) offer llama trekking with walks of 1 hour or longer.
There is a scenic detour from the A87 which you can take at Shiel Bridge (look for the signs to the Skye Ferry). From here you can take the mountain route to Glenelg, which is famous for Bernera Barracks (built after the 1715 Jacobite uprising) and the historic well-preserved Glenelg Brochs. Glenelg is a village on the shores of the Sound of Sleat and has a small ferry which crosses over to Skye.
Visit the Loch Duich & Kintail community website.
Transport
Kyle of Lochalsh is 8 miles along from Eilean Donan Castle. Once a busy ferry port to the Outer Hebrides and Skye, the town is now home to the Skye Bridge which enables you to drive over to Kyleakin on the south-east tip of Skye.A regular train service operates between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness via Achnasheen (to the north) on the famously scenic West Highland Line.
The Friends of the Kyle Line have a museum and gift shop in the railway station by the pier.Citylink operates 2 bus routes to Kyle of Lochalsh from Inverness (southwards via Loch Ness) and Fort William. Buses cross the Skye Bridge for onward travel across the island of Skye. Stagecoach Buses also operate many local routes.
The Skye Ferry is a community-run service operating Easter to September only. Tel: 01599 522273 or 01599 522313. This small ferry goes across the Sound of Sleat between Glenelg and Kylerhea on the isle of Skye in 5 minutes and holds 6 cars plus foot passengers.
There are mini bus tours from Kyle of Lochalsh to various destinations in Skye and Wester Ross from Easter to October. Contact the Tourist Information Centre in Kyle of Lochalsh - tel: 01471 822716
Kyle Taxi Company offer day tours of Skye & Lochalsh, or Plockton, Lochcarron and Torridon, or even Inverness and Loch Ness. They also have a classic Daimler for wedding hire. Telephone: 01599 534323.
Boat Trips
Moira and Nigel Smith operate the Seaprobe Atlantis, which offers panoramic underwater vision. It sails from Kyleakin and Kyle of Lochalsh (the mainland opposite Skye) taking people to explore the incredibly beautiful world beneath the waves, as well as the spectacular scenery above. The boat has a seated outdoor observation deck, a sheltered indoor saloon, toilets and of course the underwater viewing gallery. You will see fish, jellyfish, crabs, seals, seabirds, etc. and possibly otters and porpoises. The extended cruise also shows you the World War II shipwreck, HMS Port Napier, a 500ft long minelayer which sank in 1940, and is now rated one of the best dive experiences in Britain. Cruises operate at least 4 times a day depending on the tides, 7 days a week, from Easter to October. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment. For further details, see their web site or phone 01471 822 716 or use the freephone number 0800 9804846.MV Orca is a fully licensed vessel with experienced skippers that operates on Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh Fishing or pleasure boat trips to see Eilean Donan Castle, mountains, wildlife, etc. Private charter available. Departure points are from Ardelve (Dornie) or the Kintail slip. Tel: 01599 511427 / 07901 868815.
The Flower of Caithness is a coasting schooner based at Kyle of Lochalsh. Choice of sailing holidays off the west coast of Scotland ranging from the Sound of Mull to the Outer Hebrides and also the Orkney Isles.
Kyle of Lochalsh seen from the Isle of SkyeIf you drive north from Kyle of Lochalsh, you can see palm trees in the village of Plockton (home to TV's Hamish Macbeth).
Calum MacKenzie offers award-winning boat trips April to October. Free if no seals. Tel: 01599 544306.
Plockton hosts a sailing regatta in late July/early August every year. There's an excellent swimming pool in the leisure centre.Continue northwards into Wester Ross through splendid scenery such as Applecross and Lochcarron.
Accommodation
Contact: Mary Drummond
Tel: 01599 555 482
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THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Former school renovated to provide good value for money accommodation available on a nightly basis at room-only rates. Just 400 metres from Eilean Donan Castle. 2 minutes walk from local shop, hotel/restaurant, bar. Relaxed and peaceful setting overlooking Loch Duich. Great base for exploring Skye and the West Highlands. 3 bedrooms (2 double & 1 twin).
Special offer from November - 31 March 2012: 3 nights for 2.
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Contact: Miss Christine Matheson Aird View Caroline Street Dornie Ross-shire IV40 8EH Tel: 01599 555201 Email: info@airdview.f9.co.uk |
BROOK COTTAGE
Traditional highland cottage at Letterfearn
In an area with abundant wildlife and birds.
Modernised to high standard of comfort.
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Contact: Celia Munro
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Scottish Tourist Board 4 Star B&B On shores of Loch Duich. Near the junction to road to Glenelg (Skye ferry). Only 10 minutes from Eilean Donan Castle. Kyle of Localsh & Skye Bridge: 15 miles. Set in a small crofting village in the shadow of the famous mountains the Five Sisters of Kintail. Porpoises, seals & otters are often seen by guests from the breakfast table! 3 bedrooms: 2 double & 1 twin.
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CROFT COTTAGE
Fully refurbished bungalow on site of original croft cottage.
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Elspeth & Geoff Underhill Birchwood Achmore Stromeferry Ross-Shire IV53 8UT Tel: +44 (0)1599 577211 Email: |
GLENVIEW COTTAGE
Modern cottage with uninterrupted scenic views. Picturesque valley surrounded by pine forests. In Achmore near Strome Ferry on Loch Carron. Ideal for exploring Skye and Wester Ross. Plockton: 7 miles. Eilean Donan Castle: 5 miles. Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye Bridge: 11 miles. Inverness: 75 miles. Bedrooms: 2 double and 1 twin.
Prices from £222 per week including electricity.
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Booking Hotline: 0845 268 1383 |
Cottages in Kintail & Lochalsh
Wide choice of self catering properties ranging from 1 to 8 bedrooms. Locations including Dornie, Glenelg, Kyle of Lochalsh, Plockton Web site with virtual tours and instant online booking.
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Other accommodation links:
- Grianan House offers bed and breakfast overlooking Loch Duich at Inverinate. Eilean Donan Castle 5 miles. Contact Janet Ellis. Tel: 01599 511440.
- Shepherd’s Cottage B&B has 2 ensuite rooms (double & twin) Located 2 miles north of Eilean Donan Castle and 5 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh. Contact Graham and Alison West. Tel: 01599 555268.
- The Balmacara Hotel and restaurant is situated on the shores of Loch Alsh, about 3 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh.
- The Kyle Hotel is on the Main Street in Kyle of Lochalsh.
- Tingle Creek Hotel at Erbusaig (between Kyle of Lochalsh and Plockton). Family run hotel with 12 bedrooms, bar and restaurant. Tel: 01599 534430.
- List of accommodation near Eilean Donan Castle (Dornie area).
Self catering:
- Apartment One is adjacent to '9-1-4 Outdoor' on Aird Point near Ardelve and Dornie (overlooking Eilean Donan Castle). High quality accommodation with 1 double bedroom. 9 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh.
- Achnateird (2 bedrooms) and Lochside House (4 bedrooms) in the village of Letterfearn on the shores of Loch Duich, overlooking Eilean Donan Castle.
- Barracks Cottage in Glenelg sleeps 4+1 in 1 double bedroom, 1 single and 1 twin (single bed & smaller cabin bed). Fully equipped kitchen and living/dining room. Overlooking the Sound of Sleat with views across to Skye.
- Caladh Reidh is a 3-bedroom traditional house in Plockton, sleeping 5-6 people.
- Duich View is a 3-bedroom bungalow in Inverinate on the north east shore of Loch Duich.
- Hirta is a converted former church in Plockton with 1 bedroom.
- Kintail at Ratagan is a 2-bedroom cottage with loch and mountain views.
- Loch Duich Cottage overlooks the loch at Inverinate. 3 bedrooms.
- Red House Dornie - a large lochside house offering 4 star accommodation for up to 12 people. 5 minutes walk from Eilean Donan Castle.
- Sgurr Uran is a traditional 2-storey stone cottage on the shores of Loch Long, 15 minutes walk from Dornie village centre, and 20 minutes walk from Eilean Donan Castle. Sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms.
- The Lodge - Tigh na Creag - Glenelg offers 4 star accommodation for 2 people.
- Tigh Tasgaidh in Dornie is only about 500 metres from Eilean Donan Castle. Luxury self catering wing sleeping 4 people with 1 double bedroom, 1 twin bedroom, lounge, kitchen/dining room. B&B is available for 2 people in a separate first floor suite with 1 double bedroom and sitting room. Open March 1st to November 30th. Contact Louise Canning. Tel: 01599 555242.
- The Holt is a first floor apartment with 3 bedrooms in Plockton.
- Tigh A Cnuic is just 50 yards from shore at Glenelg. 2 bedrooms.
The Ratagan Youth Hostel (SYHA) at Glenshiel has accommodation for 44 people, and views of the Five Sisters of Kintail. It is 8 miles from Eilean Donan Castle and 18 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh. Open March - October. Tel: 01599 511243.
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