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Dornie - Kyle of Lochalsh - Plockton - Glenelg
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 Photo © Gordon C. Harrison click here to buy this picture |
By the picturesque village of Dornie, 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. Open daily from 1 April to 1 November, it is well worth the visit.
If you'd like to get married at Eilean Donan Castle, contact Highland Country Weddings or Highland Wedding Bells. View the Eilean Donan interactive web cam courtesy of 914 - 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.
Cromarty House offers B&B in Balmacara.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.
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. Rapsons also operate many local routes.
- 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 7 days a week from end March to end October. Trips start at 8.45am and continue at regular 1 hour or 90 minute intervals throughout the day. 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.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. 4 bedrooms (2 double, 1 twin, 1 family).
Room prices:
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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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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: Paula Piper Shiel Bridge Glenshiel Tel: 0118 9462214 Email: paulapiper@hotmail.com |
WOODLANDS
Situated at the head of Glenshiel in the shadow of the Five Sisters of Kintail.
2 double bedrooms and 3 twin bedrooms.
Prices from £700 per week
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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.
Bedrooms: 2 double and 1 twin.
Prices from £208 per week
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Booking Hotline: 0870 192 1956 |
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:
- Achnateird (2 bedrooms) and Lochside House (4 bedrooms) in the village of Letterfearn on the shores of Loch Duich, overlooking Eilean Donan Castle.
- 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 with 6 bedrooms for up to 12 people. 5 miles walk from Eilean Donan Castle.
- The Lodge - Tigh na Creag - Glenelg offers 4 star accommodation for 2 people.
- 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.
- Self catering chalet at Ratagan, sleeps 4.
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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Last update: June 2009