Duncraig Castle from Plockton
LOCHALSH: KYLE AND PLOCKTON AREAS
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1. This walk can be extended to include the ascent of Plockton Crags if desired. Park in the car park at the bottom of the hill in Plockton. Start the walk by walking back up the road out of Plockton. There's a war memorial off the road to the left, and an open air church on the right. This church dates from the time when the Free Church of Scotland broke away from the main Church of Scotland, partly due to the latter's being controlled by landlords. Before reaching the houses at the top of the hill, turn left off the road onto a footpath (a wooden sign reads 'Footpath to Duncraig Castle' and 'Creagdarroch'). The path crosses some duck-boards to reach the waters edge.
2. The next section of path is one of the most picturesque footpaths you'll find anywhere. It continues round the very edge of Loch Carron with great views. After a short distance it climbs slightly to come alongside the railway with a beautiful outlook over Plockton. Further on, go through a gate and under the railway via a tunnel. Soon the path reaches a junction; turn left here (signed 'Duncraig Castle').
3. Continue along the footpath, going through a clearing behind the railway and ignoring a path which tunnels back under the railway off to the left. Next to an old brick kiln the path joins another larger path; turn left here. After a short distance you will reach a pedestrian level crossing over the railway - the route onwards does not cross the tracks, but instead turns right downhill before the gates. It is worth detouring across the railway first though, to reach a grassy platform next to an old boathouse with a wonderful outlook, before returning across the railway and turning down the path.
4. The next section of path is rather boggy, and sometimes impeded by fallen trees and shrubs. It should be passable however, and leads round the back of a inlet of Loch Carron which is almost seperated from the main loch by the railway, which crosses it on an embankment and bridge. Soon after this the path reaches a rough road; Duncraig railway station is down this road to the left. Our route, however, is to turn right along the road, which soon passes the front of Duncraig Castle.
5. Duncraig Castle was built by Sir Alexander Matheson in the 1860s; following his death the castle went through many uses, latterly as a domestic science college for girls. In 2003 the Castle was bought by the Dobson family from the English Midlands; they began the renovation of the castle and were featured in the BBC TV series, 'The Dobson's of Duncraig'. The road passes the front of the castle, and then winds past the old stable block before reaching the main Plockton - Stromeferry road. Turn right on this road. (To include Plockton Crags in the walk, adding about three hours to the time, turn left instead and then take the next footpath up through the forest off to the right. A short distance along this path, turn left uphill to join the Plockton Crags walk).
6. Continue along the road for three quarters of a kilometre, until you reach a sign reading 'Footpath to Plockton 1/2 mile'. Turn right onto this path, which rejoins the outward route at the bottom of the hill. Turn left here to return to Plockton.
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