Out and About

Places of Interest

There are many, many delightful places to see and explore during your time in the Highlands, including the suggested local walks on the next page. The Five Sisters mountain range is also only a 20-minute drive away.

Skye
Plockton Harbour
Glenelg Brochs
Eilean Donan Castle

Recommended day trips include:

  • Eilean Donan Castle (8 miles),
  • the ancient Brochs of Glenelg (a 40 minute drive),
  • the spectacular view from the top of Mam Ratagan,
  • Attadale Gardens (16 miles),
  • Kyle of Lochalsh (nearest town with rail station, Co-op and pharmacy, local chippy, etc). There is a good view of the Skye bridge from the harbour and you can also visit the railway museum and glass-bottomed boat rides, and
  • Plockton (45 minute drive, we would recommend Calum’s seal-watching boat trip whilst you are there). You could also get a glass-bottomed boat from the nearest town, Kyle of Lochalsh.

Those venturing further afield should consider:

  • Isle of Skye (it will take 2-3 days to explore the island fully, but it is just a short hop away across the Skye bridge)
  • Applecross (accessed by the highest road in Britain with amazing views throughout the journey. Don’t forget to stop at the renowned Applecross Inn for lunch)
  • Inverewe Gardens (North of Ullapool and the scenery along the trip will make this a day to remember)

If you are missing city life and want access to some bigger stores, or a chance to catch the Loch Ness monster, then a day trip to Inverness is just right for you. Alternatively, you can explore some of the charming smaller towns in the surrounding area, like Dingwall.

Places to Eat

Rocky Mountain View Cottage is self-catering but there are plenty of places to eat in the surrounding area should you wish to sample traditional Scottish fare, including:

  • Dornie: The 3 pubs in Dornie Hotel, The Clachan and The Loch Duich Hotel in Dornie serve excellent bar food or if you are looking for tea/lunch, there is a great cafe in Eilean Donan Castle with home-baking and hot food.
  • Balmacara: Beth’s Coffeeshop
  • Ardelve: Manuela’s Wee Bakery
  • Loch Duich: The Jacobite Restaurant at the head of Loch Duich serves traditional local food
  • Kyle: Lots of tea rooms and restaurants, and the local chippy “Hector’s” (which has several outlets in Kyle!). Buth Bheag wee seafood bar and deli has tasty prawn rolls. The Waterside Restaurant in Kyle is cosy and with excellent seafood (reservations recommended).
  • Plockton: Again, several restaurants, tea rooms and pubs in this village
  • Skye: Lots of tea rooms, restaurants, pubs and cafes, including Cafe Sia in Broadford (great pizzas). Skye also boasts a Michelin star restaurant – The Loch Bay restaurant in Stein.
  • Applecross: A visit to Applecross is not complete without a visit to the Applecross Inn for some delectable seafood (although it does get busy in the summer months). Alternatively, you can eat in the delightful Applecross Walled Garden.