          
Whether
you enjoy outdoor pursuits such as walking, climbing, fishing, sailing,
or pony trekking, or whether you simply like to marvel at magnificent
scenery, the Isle of Skye has it all aplenty.
We hope
you will find this section of our website interesting. There are several
photos on this page, so please be patient if you are viewing it over a
slow dial-up connection!
|
Approach to Skye
The scene is set by the approach to the island from
the mainland, the traditional route being via Cluanie, and Glen Shiel to Kyle of
Lochalsh, a superb road with magnificent views.
To the right
of the road as one descends
Glen Shiel are the Five Sisters of
Kintail; a few miles further, at the junction of Lochs Duich, Long, and Alsh,
stands the famous and imposing Eilean Donan Castle.
Shortly afterwards, the spectacular
arch of the new Skye Bridge comes into view, heralding the real beginning of
your adventure!
|
 |
 |
For those who prefer a more traditional approach to Skye by boat, a diversion
via the spectacular road over Mam Ratagan to the Glenelg to Kyle Rhea ferry is
very well worth the effort. The view above shows the 5 Sisters of Kintail as
seen from the viewpoint on this road.
If you have time, do make a visit to the brochs just
south of Glenelg village; a few miles further to the south is Gavin Maxwell's
Sandaig, home to the world famous otters.
|
|
|
 |
Portree
This
is the capital of Skye, and an ideal base from which to explore the island. The
town has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and lively bars.
The harbour is
busy with all sorts of boats and yachts - even the occasional cruise ship!
The photo to the right
shows Quay Street. |
The Cuillins.
These are the result of volcanic activity many millions of years
ago, are famous throughout the world. Most views of Skye from the mainland are
dominated by these spectacular mountains. The 18 peaks stand between 2,850 and
3,251 feet high and are the UK's greatest mountain range. A haven for climbers
and ambitious walkers, there are also many locations where those who are less
energetic can admire this magnificent range.
Raasay
This island lies just off the east coast of Skye, in the Inner Sound
between Skye and the Applecross Peninsula. It is easily accessible by ferry
(which, somewhat controversially, now runs a Sunday service), and
offers a delightful variety of experiences and landscapes. At the northern tip,
the island is only a few hundred yards wide, and there are superb views across
to Trotternish on Skye, and to the magnificent Applecross Mountains on the
mainland.
|
|
 |
Trotternish -
is the most northern peninsula on Skye, and has some of the most dramatic
scenery of all. From the west coast, there are superb views across to the
Western Isles - which can be accessed via the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from
Uig. Uig is also the home of the Isle of Skye Brewery, producers of superb
Scottish real ale; the brewery has a shop and tours around the brewery are
available by prior appointment. From the east coast, there are dramatic views across to the Torridon Hills
on the mainland.
Famous landmarks include the Old Man of Storr, and the
Quiraing. The ruins of Duntulm Castle stand right at the top of the Trotternish
peninsula; this was a stronghold of the Clan MacDonald and was abandoned by the
clan around 1730.
|
Minginish, on the west coast of Skye, is the location of the Talisker
Distillery, famous for its single malt whisky. The distillery, the only one on
Skye, is at Carbost on the shore of Loch Harport, whilst he superb bay at
Talisker itself is where the founder of the distillery used to live. The
distillery is open to visitors.
Duirinish is Skye's most western peninsula, on which lies Dunvegan
Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod for nearly 800 years. Dunvegan
Castle is open to visitors all year round. The MacLeod name features often
here - for example, the highest peaks in the immediate area are the flat topped
hills, Healabhal Mhòr and Healabhal Bheag, which are often called Macleod's
Tables, a description said to date from an occasion when the 8th Macleod Chief
entertained some guests from Edinburgh. Also, at the southern tip of Duirinish
are MacLeod's Maidens, majestic rock stacks standing in the sea.
|
Sleat.
This is the most southerly peninsula of Skye, and
has a generally softer, gentler, landscape than the rest of the island,
which will appeal to those who perhaps find the Cuillins a little
forbidding.
There are some
excellent views of the mainland to be seen from the A851 road which runs
down the peninsula - the one opposite shows the entrance to Loch Hourn
as viewed from Isleornsay.
Near the foot of the
peninsula is the little place of Armadale from which there is a
Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service to Mallaig on the mainland. Also here
is Armadale Castle, with its gardens and museum, which is part of a
20,000 acre estate, formerly the property of MacDonald of Sleat.
|
 |
There are
links to a number of websites giving more details about several of the
places mentioned above. Please have a look at our
"Useful Links" section for more information.
|
|
|
