NTS Places to visit - Balmacara Estate & Woodland Walks

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Balmacara Estate & Woodland WalksEstate

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What to see & do
Start at the Visitor Centre in Plockton, which tells the story of the area through historical photos and artefacts, and explore the village afterwards, making sure not to miss the open-air church. Balmacara Square is also a must: the original 18th-century buildings are still there, including the Mill House, the Ice House and the B-listed farm steadings. Some of these have been converted, so the village now boasts a cafe, health and beauty salon, a craft workshop and a visitor centre.

Explore the Lochalsh Woodland Walks, which offer sheltered, peaceful trails through Scots pine, oak and birch trees, and along the banks of Loch Alsh.

Perhaps most impressive are the crofting townships of Drumbuie and Duirinish, where you can still see traditional rotational crofting on runrig land. Here species-rich meadows, Highland cattle and a wide diversity of birds, insects and wildflowers provide a rich cultural landscape. There is an excellent circular walk through these townships and along the shore where, if you are lucky, you might spot the elusive otter.

The Trust ranger runs guided walks through the crofting townships and along the coast throughout the summer, as well as around Plockton. The estate is an ideal base for other outdoor activities too, from walking and orienteering to mountain-biking, bird-watching and even sea kayaking (contact Kintail & Morvich, also owned by the National Trust for Scotland).

With so much to explore and discover, why not extend your visit and stay in one of the estate’s award-winning holiday cottages in Glaick by the shores of Loch Alsh. Craggan Cottage has its own secluded garden which leads down to a stony beach, while Ferry Cottage is full of historic character, as it was once the waiting room for ferry passengers travelling to and from Balmacara. Both holiday cottages sleep four and have magnificent coastal views.

Did you know?

Eilean Ban, just west of Kyle of Lochalsh, was once owned by Gavin Maxwell, author of Ring of Bright Water, and is now managed by a community trust as a museum with otter hides.

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Opening times

Balmacara Estate & Lochalsh Woodland

Estate: all year, daily.
Woodland Walks: all year, daily 9 until dusk.

Balmacara Square Visitor Centre: 29 Mar to 30 Sep, daily 9-5 (Fri 9-4).

Plockton Visitor Centre: 29 Mar to 20 Oct, daily 11-7.

Tel. 0844 493 2233

Click here to see admission prices