Attadale is surrounded by playgrounds and parklands making it perfect for families. The neighbourhood also has two primary schools and a range of childcare services.
Moovit makes it easy to get around Attadale. Use our comprehensive maps and live directions to find the best way to your destination. You can also see all available transit options.
1. Attadale Gardens
The world-renowned sub-tropical gardens of Attadale at Strathcarron offer an outstanding choice of walks and sights. Ancient paths wind through woodland and rhododendrons over bridges & waterfalls. See the large sculpture collection and discover a restored sunken garden, herb & vegetable garden plus a Japanese garden & geodesic dome filled with ferns.
There’s also a tree-house, visitor centre, rural skills and crafts demonstrations, woodland training, events and more. And a tea room serving locally-sourced food.
Dogs are welcome, but please ensure dogs are kept on a lead at all times. Take the scenic Inverness – Kyle line – the request stop at Attadale is only 200 metres from the garden entrance. Use our journey planner to help you plan your trip and remember you can bring bikes too. You can also drive up and park in the visitors car park free of charge. You can even visit the gardens and return on foot using our car-free guide.
2. Plockton Museum
Whether you’re looking for things to do with kids, free events or tickets, you can find them all here. There are also many options for activities in the surrounding area, including hiking trails, boat tours to see seals and nearby cafes where you can spot Highland cows.
The gardens are spectacular and offer jaw-dropping views of Skye. They are made up of water gardens, ancient paths winding through rhododendrons, sunken gardens and a geodesic dome filled with ferns.
Plockton is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Highlands’ and it’s easy to see why. The chocolate-box row of cottages is arranged around the curve of a small harbour and the sheltered bay of Loch Carron. It’s backed by high hills, majestic woodland and picturesque beaches. In high season, visitors fill the streets and a sea of yachts bobbing in the bay add to the scenery. The village is a photographers’ dream and painters can be seen dabbing at their easels.
3. The DIY Tearoom
Attadale Gardens was created by Nicky Macpherson after serious storms took down huge old trees at the end of the 1980s. Visitors can wander through a beautiful water garden, framed by mountains and giant gunnera plants; or admire ancient paths winding through woodland and rhododendrons to the ponds and a geodesic dome filled with ferns. The gardens also boast a peace garden and Japanese garden plus a polytunnel where plants are available to buy.
Take the train – Attadale station is a request stop on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh Line, just 200m from the gardens. The journey is spectacular and along the way you can visit the charming village of Plockton. Try the Victorian Afternoon Tea Presentation – a generous platter of tea sandwiches and desserts served on classic English bone china, with a pot of your choice. You can also book a stay in the cottages on the estate. By eating, drinking and staying locally you’re supporting local businesses and helping to reduce travel times.
4. Attadale Holiday Cottages
A mile up the glen from Lochcarron is Attadale Holiday Cottages. It’s a place where you can relax and be surrounded by nature. Sheep and cows graze in the fields outside the cottages while red deer wander in during the evening. There is no traffic on the road except for estate vehicles or people staying in the cottages.
The gardens at Attadale are a delight to explore. They started over a hundred years ago with ancient rhododendrons and azaleas and have since been filled in with many new plants including giant trees. The garden is designed with Monet bridges, waterfalls and paths to explore as well as a restored sunken garden, a vegetable and herb garden, a Japanese garden and a geodesic dome filled with tender ferns. Twenty sculptures are hidden throughout the garden providing kids with a fun incentive to explore. Entry to the gardens is free for guests staying in the cottages.
From Attadale you can walk or mountain bike to the ruins of Strome Castle and views over Loch Carron. Or take the famous Kyle Line train to Applecross, Torridon or Shieldaig. Or head further North to the spectacular landscapes around Kintail and Glenelg or South to the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle.
