However, you can also have many things to do while you’re in your hotel room. Well, there are times when you don’t feel like venturing out, especially after a long day of travel. Although in such situations your hotel room might feel like heaven, it can also be boring. So, to make these precious moments memorable, here are some fun things you can try while staying indoors:

1. Connect with your loved ones

Ever thought about this? Such moments can be one of the biggest gifts. While living a fast-paced life, you might’ve lost touch with so many of your relatives, friends, and former co-workers. This would be the best time to grab your smartphone or laptop and connect with them. 

Just get into something comfortable, hop on to your comfortable bed and start chatting! Call everyone you’ve wanted to speak with since quite a long time. As many of the hotels today have free Wi-Fi for their guests, you might also have it. This can be great for making video calls. You can also choose to chat with them through the instant messaging apps.

2. Turn the bathroom into your personal spa

You don’t often get to pamper yourself with some relaxing spa treatments. This can be your moment to indulge in a very personal spa session. Ask the hotel staff to send you a bottle of wine. It would be great if they can also arrange a scented candle and bath salts for you. 

Next, just get into the bubble bath and soak yourself in the tub. If you’re a woman, then you can also set aside some time for a beauty treatment. Grab the makeup kit in your bag and try experimenting with a new look. You can also give some deep conditioning to your hair and get your nails painted. 

3. Enjoy the views while sipping your coffee

Picture this. You’ve got up early in the morning and you’re not feeling like going anywhere. So, you open the windows of your hotel room to take in some fresh morning air. The views outside are so enchanting, you just feel like sitting beside the window and enjoying those beautiful sights. 

Well, who’s stopping you? You can make the experience even more pleasant by ordering a cup of coffee. Then, make yourself comfortable beside the window and savor the views while enjoying the sips of your coffee.

4. Play the slot games in an online casino

With the presence of so many online casinos, you don’t really need to go to a land-based casino. These websites are loaded with an array of exciting slot games, table games, and live casino games. All you need to do is sign-up online on any of these sites and start playing! 

If you’re too concerned about being a new player, you can try visiting a reliable casino review site. It has the required information on playing the casino games responsibly and how to take advantage of  the welcome bonuses. One such casino review website is Casinos Jungle that proposes the list of best online casinos. Besides guiding the players on responsible gambling, it also has some valuable information on the best online casinos. 

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Whenever you visit Plockton, you might want to consider taking one of the sea kayak expeditions to the neighboring islands. Here are some of the best options in sea kayak expeditions for tourists enjoying their stay in Plockton:

1. Isle of Skye expedition

When you go sea kayaking to the Isle of Skye, you’ll get to explore the island’s gorgeous coastline. It is quite remote and is only accessible by boats. The Isle of Skye is located in the far north-western region of Scotland. It has been voted one of the world’s best islands by the National Geographic magazine. The enchanting scenery of the island is dominated by the Cuillin Mountains. 

The wild coastline of the Isle of Skye is washed by tides that come from the Atlantic Ocean. Owing to these magnificent waters, the experienced sea kayakers would have some interesting and challenging conditions. These expeditions can typically last from 3 days and 2 nights to 5 days and 4 nights. Accommodation would be wild camping and self-catering.

2. Outer Hebrides expedition

Outer Hebrides can be a world-class destination for experienced kayakers. These expeditions generally involves stays on a small cruise ship with dining included. Such ships can anchor in some charming and remote places and you can paddle at awe-inspiring locations. 

They include Vatersay, Barra and the uninhabited islands of Mingulay, Sandray, and Pabbay. The spectacular sights on these islands include some dramatic cliffs, sheltered sandy beaches and turquoise seas. Mingulay and St Kilda are popular for their amazing cliff landscapes, isolated location, and rich wildlife. 

During this expedition, you’ll be accompanied by qualified guides or instructors used to the challenging conditions while at sea. The cruise ship would have a chef on board, who provides delicious meals prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Accommodations on such ships are usually arranged in single and twin temperature-controlled cabins. 

The spacious ship may also offer the option of dining alfresco. Additionally it has plenty of space to store everything needed for the expedition, including the sea kayaks. You’ll also be able to bring your water sports gear owing to the ample storage space.

3. Small Isles expedition

This would be a 5-day expedition that allows you to explore some of the most marvelous sights of the Small Isles. They are a small archipelago of four islands, which form a part of the Inner Hebrides. The islands in the archipelago are Muck, Eigg, Canna, and Rum. 

Located south of the Isle of Skye, these islands can be reached under favorable conditions. If the weather is not suitable to reach them by sea kayaks, you can take the Calmac ferry. Each of these islands has its own unique character. Rum is the largest among them and is dominated by volcanic peaks. 

The most populous in the archipelago is Eigg, which is owned by the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust. Bordered by secluded bays, Muck is the smallest and most southerly in the archipelago. The most westerly of these islands is Canna. Accommodation would be wild camping and self-catering for 4 nights.

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You’ll get the chance to enjoy some traditional music at one of the events held in the village hall. Some of the local pubs also host regular events where traditional music is played. Besides exploring all these local attractions, you can also indulge in some exciting outdoor activities:

Walking

This Scottish village and its surrounding areas are characterized by low coastal moorland. It is a mix of sheltered bays, small crofting townships, and a coral beach. You’ll enjoy walking through the native woods, around the coast, in the crofting townships, and across the open moorland. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the rare pine marten or an otter. While walking through the crofting township of Plockton, you’ll also come across some attractive flowering plants. You can visit the Balmacara Square Visitor Centre for detailed information on the area, its history, and the people.

Mountain biking

You’ll have great mountain biking opportunities in the woodlands and local moors surrounding Plockton. A day of challenging ride can be taken over the Lochalsh Peninsula. If you wish to explore some more places, you can consider the famous mountain trails of Torridon. 

You can also choose the trails of Skye or any of the other lesser-known mountain routes. Although not technically challenging, the steep terrain over the Lochalsh peninsula demands a good level of fitness. The trails of Torridon and Skye are for the experienced mountain bikers. 

Sea kayaking

The sheltered bays of Plockton are ideal for learning sea kayaking and improving your skills in this activity. Experienced sea kayakers can try the more challenging waters near Skye. It is advisable to book such trips with one of the local service providers.

This will ensure that you’re always accompanied by a professional guide and provided with top-quality gear. During this journey, you’ll savor the panoramic views of the Isle of Skye and the Applecross and Torridon mountains. While sea kayaking, you’ll also get to see the seals, porpoises, and some rare birds.

Wildlife cruise

The boat trip operated by Calum Mackenzie and his crew would be great for going on a wildlife cruise. If you don’t spot the seals, they won’t charge you anything. This makes the boat trip one of the most unique outdoor experiences in Plockton. From April to October, this wildlife cruise is conducted daily. 

The crew always looks forward to welcoming new and old passengers on board. To reserve a place on the boat, you’ll have to register on their online pre-registration system. The busiest months are July and August. All the trips would be subject to weather conditions.

Shopping

With many elegant local shops selling lots of interesting things, you’ll have a memorable shopping experience in Plockton. Some of them stock excellent varieties of wines and whiskies. If you need wider range of items, you can visit the large supermarket located five miles away in Kyle. 

For souvenirs or gift items, you can visit the village’s own artist’s gallery called ‘The Studio’. It has an extensive collection of artwork, local jewellery, cards, and other items. Visit ‘Home in the Highlands’ for a wonderful range of clothing and accessories for the entire family. It also offers crockery, paintings, cushions, and throws. 

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It is owing to such spectacular natural features that it has been featured in many television series and films. The most well-known among them is the ‘Hamish Macbeth’ series produced by BBC. Over the years, Plockton has successfully preserved its rich heritage and a heart-warming hospitality. During your time spent in this beautiful Scottish village, you’ll get to know its interesting history.

The early days

In the early 19th century, the village was surveyed and planned by W Cumming. The purpose was to exploit the west coast fishing industry. A renowned civil engineer named Thomas Telford designed many structures of the village. They included the bridge at Duirinish, the Plockton Parish Church, and a few homes. To encourage local employment, the homes were given on lease for 99 years. 

By the mid-1840s, the population in Plockton rose to 547 with the presence of herring fishing. Although there was some hardship, this village fared better than the other villages during the highland potato famine. Herring fishing remained its major source of livelihood and additional support came from crofting in the late 19th century. 

The advent of railway

In 1870, the Dingwall and Skye Railway was started. It ran from Dingwall and was terminated at Strome Ferry. This was where the fish landed and some of them were processed to be sent to the London market. Towards the end of the 19th century, the railway was extended to Kyle of Lochalsh. 

This involved a major feat of engineering. It brought tremendous benefits to the locals as the fishing industry prospered. Kyle of Lochalsh became a major ferry port and railway terminus, laying the foundation for today’s tourism.

The World War days

With the beginning of the First World War, the local economy declined once again. This happened due to the fact that many of the men of Plockton had to serve in the war. The population of the village fell by significant numbers. Some of the house-building efforts and public works provided little support for the local economy. 

One of the major public buildings constructed around this time was the village hall of Plockton. It was built in 1934. Some of the major changes to the Highlands were brought by the aftermath of the Second World War. In the late 1940s, electricity arrived in the village. 

The local population increased during the 1960s. Plockton witnessed a growth in tourism with better roads and communications. This was instrumental in providing the required support for the community. 

The history of education in Plockton

Sir Alexander Matheson had built the first school on Innes Street in 1865. It began by providing primary education for the children of this village. Later, many rented rooms in the homes were used for providing primary education. 

For some time, the main school building was entirely used for higher grade education. In the 1960s the large Plockton High School complex was completed. Today, it is also home to the world-famous ‘National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music’.

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