Craig

Settlement in Ross-shire

Scotland

Craig

Craig is a small village located in Ross-shire, a historic county in the Scottish Highlands. Situated on the eastern banks of the River Conon, Craig offers a picturesque setting with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The village is nestled within a rural landscape, characterized by rolling hills, lush green fields, and dense forests.

With a population of just over 500 residents, Craig retains a strong sense of community and tranquility. The village is predominantly residential, with a scattering of traditional stone cottages and modern houses. Despite its small size, Craig benefits from a range of amenities, including a local convenience store, a primary school, and a community center.

Nature enthusiasts are drawn to Craig due to its proximity to several notable landmarks. The nearby Blackmuir Wood provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. The River Conon is renowned for its salmon fishing, attracting anglers from far and wide.

For those seeking a taste of history, Craig is within easy reach of several ancient sites. The nearby Craig Phadrig Hill boasts the remains of an Iron Age fort, offering a glimpse into the area's rich past. Additionally, the village is conveniently located for exploring the wider region, with Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, just a short drive away.

Overall, Craig offers a peaceful and idyllic setting for residents and visitors alike, combining natural beauty, a close-knit community, and easy access to both recreational activities and cultural experiences.

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Craig Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.336228/-5.6178022 or Grid Reference NG8233. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Loch Carron

Matthew Chadwick

Eilean na Creige Duibhe

Matthew Chadwick

Eilean Lagach

Matthew Chadwick

Loch Carron

Matthew Chadwick

Plockton shoreline

Looking across the mouth of Loch Carron.

John Allan

Plockton Post Office

Open between 10:00 and 13:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Thursday is late closing day, when the Post Office trades until 14:00.

John Allan

Ob an Duine

A narrow inlet of the sea reaching towards the white painted houses on Harbour Street.

John Allan

Shore view near Craig from the Kyle to Inverness train

On the left is Eilean na Creige Duibhe and the line of the railway ahead is right beside the water.

Julian Paren

Plockton Bay and Harbour Street from Eilean nan Gamhainn

Most of the houses shown are Category C Listed. In 1801 Sir Hugh Innes drew up plans for a planned village and these plans were largely implemented over the next twenty years and by 1841 there were 537 residents.

Jo and Steve Turner

Duncraig Castle from Eilean nan Gamhainn

Category C Listed Scottish Baronial castle of 1866 by Alexander Ross (1834-1925). Built for Sir Alexander Matheson who made his fortune trading opium in China and went on to serve as a Member of Parliament and was created a baronet in 1882. With the onset of World War Two Duncraig was used as a Naval hospital. it was bequeathed to Ross & Cromarty County Council in 1945 by Sir Daniel and Lady Hamilton who had both died by this time and it became a home economics training college for girls. A modernist wing was added in 1969 and the college closed in 1989. Slowly decaying but used from 1995 to 1997 as the base for the BBC production of "Hamish Macbeth" it was rescued in 2003 by Perlin and Sam Dobson who bought it for £505,000. The Dobsons put it on the market at offers over £800,000 in 2009 after their efforts to refurbish the property featured in a BBC TV reality show "The Dobsons of Duncraig" in 2004. Duncraig Castle now belongs to Suzanne Hazeldine who is currently carrying out an extensive renovation and it is due to open in Spring 2016 as guest accommodation.

Jo and Steve Turner

Tullochard Black House, Rudha, Plockton

First mention of Plockton has been traced back to 1787 but before the 19th century there are no records of many people having lived here. It is probable that a small crofting community of three or four families did exist. Part of Tullochard this Category B Listed traditional West Highland house is 19th century and the last intact survival in Plockton. Converted from a store to a dwelling about 1998; see NG8033 : Tullochard Black House, Rudha, Plockton for a pre-conversion picture.

Jo and Steve Turner

Duncraig Castle from Harbour Street Plockton

Category C Listed Scottish Baronial castle of 1866 by Alexander Ross (1834-1925). Built for Sir Alexander Matheson who made his fortune trading opium in China and went on to serve as a Member of Parliament and was created a baronet in 1882. With the onset of World War Two Duncraig was used as a Naval hospital. It was bequeathed to Ross & Cromarty County Council in 1945 by Sir Daniel and Lady Hamilton who had both died by this time and it became a home economics training college for girls. A modernist wing was added in 1969 and the college closed in 1989. Slowly decaying but used from 1995 to 1997 as the base for the BBC production of "Hamish Macbeth" it was rescued in 2003 by Perlin and Sam Dobson who bought it for £505,000. The Dobsons put it on the market at offers over £800,000 in 2009 after their efforts to refurbish the property featured in a BBC TV reality show "The Dobsons of Duncraig" in 2004. Duncraig Castle now belongs to Suzanne Hazeldine who is currently carrying out an extensive renovation and it is due to open in Spring 2016 as guest accommodation.

Jo and Steve Turner

Malahide Trawler yacht Orcades Plockton

66 Ton 17.6m Orcades was built as a navigation training vessel in 1973 and rebuilt as an 11 berth private yacht in Stromness in 1997. In the interim period she was a private trawler in Orkney. I assume related to her, Orcades Charters Ltd was established in 2005 in Plockton and dissolved 2014. She was up for sale in 2013 at £280,000.

Jo and Steve Turner

British Rail Class 158 Express Sprinter on the Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh line

The Highland Railway opened the Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh line in August 1870 however the terminus was at Strome Ferry due to the cost of building a line around the coast to Kyle of Lochalsh. The line through Plockton to the Kyle was eventually opened in November 1897. The line was absorbed into the LMS in January 1923 until nationalisation in January 1948. Unstaffed Plockton Station had an estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets of 13,876 in the 2013/14 period, presumably largely due to tourists. From 1999 a fleet of DMU Class 158 'Express Sprinter' trains serviced the line.

Jo and Steve Turner

Duncraig Castle renovation

Duncraig Castle has been privately owned for a few years, offering bed and breakfast accommodation. It closed for renovation a couple of years ago. There appears to be some building work going on today, with a rubbish chute next to the entrance, and scaffolding on the right. The castle had previously been used as a home economics college, with a large extension built on the east side in the 1960s. It appears that extension has now been demolished. Compare with this photo from 2009: NG8133 : Duncraig Castle Plockton Duncraig Castle is due to reopen in Spring 2017.

Craig Wallace

Eilean na Creige Duibhe

Sarah Charlesworth

Waiting room, Duncraig station

A rather unusual octagonal waiting room at this small station. The station opened in 1897, and was originally a private station for Duncraig Castle. The station is a Category B listed building, see the Historic Scotland report: Link