What to see and do
Tokavaig has woodland of ash, silver birch, hazel, bird cherry and hawthorn. In May, the banks are speckled with pretty primroses. A few minutes from The Cottage is Tokavaig Bay, which has the stunning backdrop of the Cuillin mountains. The shore leads down to Loch Eishort and the interesting spectacle of Dunscaith Castle where a circular gap remains underneath what was a walled bridge to a drawbridge.
The 18th C Armadale Castle was the seat of Clan Donald of Sleat until 1925. It now houses the Clan Donald Centre, Museum and Gardens. There is a Gift Shop and Restaurant with ample parking. (www.clandonald.com)
The Gaelic college – Sabhal Mr Ostaig – near Kilmore in Sleat often hosts workshops and short courses for visitors besides hosting musical and cultural events.
Elgol has a natural harbour where you can watch the trawlers bring in their days’ catch. It is also where the Bella Jane Boat Trips, www.acquaxplore.co.uk and Misty Isle Boat Trips are located. They will take you to one of the most spectacular, world-renowned views at Loch Coruisk and to see the seals on the smaller islands.
Isle Ornsay has a natural harbour and pier. Once a thriving herring fishing port, the iconic lighthouse was built by David Stevenson, the Grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Portree is the main town on the island and has the Aros Heritage Centre and Cinema, plus restaurant and Gift Shop. www.aros.co.uk Cycles can be hired for the day www.islandcycles-skye.co.uk or, closer to home, bikes can be hired and repaired
1km from Armadale Pier (armadalebikes@gmail.com 01471 844421) There is a castle at Dunvegan, the seat of the Clan MacLeod since the 13thC. It has been in the same family for longer than any other house in Scotland. Guided tours are available of the castle and there are Gardens and boat trips to see the seals.
The Trotternish Ridge, Quirang and famous Old Man of Storr provide spectacular rock formations and climbs for the more expert and there are countless ‘easy’ strolls all over the island. www.walkhighlands.co.uk / www.skyeguides.co.uk
If you enjoy a wee dram then Skye has two distilleries. There is one at Talisker on the shores of Loch Harport www.discovering-distillaries.com/talisker whilst, in Sleat, the Torabhaig Distillery is due to open in 2017. A further distillery, on the Isle Of Raasay, is under construction. Whisky tastings also take place at the Whisky Shop at Hotel Eilean Iarmain.
Island-hopping is highly feasible from Skye as ferries run from Uig to Tarbet on Harris and to Lochmaddy on North Uist. There is a ferry from Sconser to the Isle of Raasay.
There are an abundance of artists, potters, photographers, sculptors and crafts people on the Isle of Skye. You will discover their galleries and shops in every nook and cranny, far and wide.
If you haven’t come to rock climb a Munro, or to stroll along a shore, maybe you’ve come to kayak or pony-trek, maybe to fish or play golf but, at the end of the day, the Isle of Skye has some renowned restaurants for fine dining. There’s Lord and Lady MacDonald’s ‘Kinloch Lodge Hotel’ where Marcello Tully has a Michelin star .
Lady Claire MacDonald conducts cookery courses and has written many books. The famous ‘Three Chimneys Restaurant’ at Carbost has international acclaim. The ‘Hotel Eilean Iarmain’ at Isle Ornsay, ‘Toravaig House Hotel’ and ‘Duisdale House Hotel’ all have 2 AA Rosettes.
The 18th C Armadale Castle was the seat of Clan Donald of Sleat until 1925. It now houses the Clan Donald Centre, Museum and Gardens. There is a Gift Shop and Restaurant with ample parking. (www.clandonald.com)
The Gaelic college – Sabhal Mr Ostaig – near Kilmore in Sleat often hosts workshops and short courses for visitors besides hosting musical and cultural events.
Elgol has a natural harbour where you can watch the trawlers bring in their days’ catch. It is also where the Bella Jane Boat Trips, www.acquaxplore.co.uk and Misty Isle Boat Trips are located. They will take you to one of the most spectacular, world-renowned views at Loch Coruisk and to see the seals on the smaller islands.
Isle Ornsay has a natural harbour and pier. Once a thriving herring fishing port, the iconic lighthouse was built by David Stevenson, the Grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Portree is the main town on the island and has the Aros Heritage Centre and Cinema, plus restaurant and Gift Shop. www.aros.co.uk Cycles can be hired for the day www.islandcycles-skye.co.uk or, closer to home, bikes can be hired and repaired
1km from Armadale Pier (armadalebikes@gmail.com 01471 844421) There is a castle at Dunvegan, the seat of the Clan MacLeod since the 13thC. It has been in the same family for longer than any other house in Scotland. Guided tours are available of the castle and there are Gardens and boat trips to see the seals.
The Trotternish Ridge, Quirang and famous Old Man of Storr provide spectacular rock formations and climbs for the more expert and there are countless ‘easy’ strolls all over the island. www.walkhighlands.co.uk / www.skyeguides.co.uk
If you enjoy a wee dram then Skye has two distilleries. There is one at Talisker on the shores of Loch Harport www.discovering-distillaries.com/talisker whilst, in Sleat, the Torabhaig Distillery is due to open in 2017. A further distillery, on the Isle Of Raasay, is under construction. Whisky tastings also take place at the Whisky Shop at Hotel Eilean Iarmain.
Island-hopping is highly feasible from Skye as ferries run from Uig to Tarbet on Harris and to Lochmaddy on North Uist. There is a ferry from Sconser to the Isle of Raasay.
There are an abundance of artists, potters, photographers, sculptors and crafts people on the Isle of Skye. You will discover their galleries and shops in every nook and cranny, far and wide.
If you haven’t come to rock climb a Munro, or to stroll along a shore, maybe you’ve come to kayak or pony-trek, maybe to fish or play golf but, at the end of the day, the Isle of Skye has some renowned restaurants for fine dining. There’s Lord and Lady MacDonald’s ‘Kinloch Lodge Hotel’ where Marcello Tully has a Michelin star .
Lady Claire MacDonald conducts cookery courses and has written many books. The famous ‘Three Chimneys Restaurant’ at Carbost has international acclaim. The ‘Hotel Eilean Iarmain’ at Isle Ornsay, ‘Toravaig House Hotel’ and ‘Duisdale House Hotel’ all have 2 AA Rosettes.
