Home -> Europe -> Scotland -> Travelogue 2000 -> Friday 21 July

Plockton, the west coast, Eilean Donan

For the last time we want to visit the west coast and possibly the Isle of Skye. Several people have told us we must see Plockton, the subtropical 'paradise' of Scotland. Through the Wester Ross (Glen Docharty) with it's highly located, narrow and winding roads, along various bays, we arrive at Plockton.

It really is a nice place one shouldn't miss, when in the neighbourhood: scenic, picturesque and a pleasant climate, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream from Mexico. Along the waterfront and throughout the village, palm trees are scattered and everywhere the cattle walks about freely.

Especially the landscape and the environment make this village so idyllic: on one side the sea and on the other side an inhospitable landscape with bare rocks, heather and pine tree woods.

It is an extremely pleasant place to spend a few hours, to walk around or just stay at the waterside.

After this refreshing break, we drive towards the Skye Bridge. Recently, Skye can also be reached by car, but you have to pay toll, about £ 6,- for a single trip. We have only a few hours for the whole island, so we decide to save Skye for another visit.

So instead, we go visit Eilean Donan Castle, a very impressive ruin as it lies between three Lochs. According to the travel guides it is the most photographed castle in Scotland. Originally it was build in the 13th century, but what you see now is a complete rebuild carried out in the early 1900's. You have to watch your step when visiting the castle, it can be quite slippery on the stairs.

After visiting the castle we take a crossroad along Loch Long. It is a very narrow road and now and then very steep. Just before the village Killilan there is a wooden bridge, but it looks so ramshackle that we turn around and follow our way through Glen Shiel, a beautiful mountain landscape. After a nice trip, soon we recognise the road back to Beauly. As if we have been there a hundred times.

Back in the hotel we find it crowded with people. It is Domino-night, an annual championship where a lot of villagers take part in and even more people are present as spectators. The atmospere is very festive and we enjoy ourselves excellently. Also we get the answer on the question what is worn beneath a kilt: nothing; that is, when a real Scotsman wears a kilt he wears nothing underneath. If the tourists who buy a kilt as souvenir (and walk around in them, yes they really do, on the boat we saw a drunken and noisy German clothed in a kilt!) wear underwear we do not know. But they explained us that with a kilt you certainly don't need any underwear.

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