our location
The small crofting township of Duirinish is found just under 4 miles north-east of Kyle of Lochalsh and just under a mile south-west of Plockton.
You are unlikely to find a better-preserved crofting township anywhere in Scotland. The township stands a little back from both the north and south banks of the Allt Dhuirinish. The result is what can at first appear like a village wrapped around its village green, though here the “green “ is part of the pasture and the little river is in a beautifully natural state. Highland cattle can frequently be seen here grazing at will.
The main road is carried over the river by an impressively engineered stone bridge built in 1826 by Thomas Telford.
In 1897 the railway arrived in Duirinish en route from Inverness to its eventual terminus in Kyle of Lochalsh.
The population declined throughout most of the 20th century, but despite this Duirinish today has the feel of a community which has retained its traditional character. In many parts of the Highlands somewhere as beautiful as this would have seen the resident population displaced by holiday homes or self-catering. Duirinish continues to support a resident population of 20 families while the neighbouring township of Drumbuie likewise adheres to its crofting roots.
Duirinish is one of those rare ‘catch it while you can’ places. It has a wonderful visual appeal and is a place that deserves to be cherished.