The prettiest villages on the west coast of Scotland

The west coast of Scotland is known for its small, exuberantly painted towns, and it’s no surprise that when Dulux named Britain’s most colourful streets recently, two of these towns featured in the top ten. The region also offers a number of more traditional whitewashed villages which, while not as vibrant as their colourful cousins, are every bit as beautiful in their simplicity. Here’s our pick of the prettiest.

The west coast of Scotland’s loveliest villages

Plockton, Loch Carron

Plockton is a National Trust for Scotland conservation village. It has featured in dozens of films and television series yet still manages to maintain the feel of a quaint fishing village, albeit one crossed with a sub-tropical island, thanks to the cabbage palm trees planted here in the Sixties. There are a number of shops and art galleries as well as great places to stay, including the waterfront Plockton Hotel, Plockton Inn, and self-catering accommodation in the old station buildings above the village. Dine out on freshly caught langoustine, lobster and King scallops at The Shores Seafood Restaurant.

The Allt a Choire Mhoir mountain stream flowing towards Loch LongLoop Images/Getty Images

Dornie, Loch Long

Dornie is a quiet village on the banks of Loch Long. It became even quieter in 1990 when the main road to Skye, which once passed through the village, was diverted over a new bridge. Those who make the short detour from the main road today are well rewarded with a string of pretty whitewashed and painted houses stretching for half a mile or so along the sparkling loch. There’s a hotel and the popular Clachan pub, as well as a shop and a gothic revival church. Its pièce de résistance, though, is Eilean Donan Castle, set on its own tiny island. Picture a Scottish castle, and it’s almost certain to be this medieval beauty.