Isle of Skye
Circle of Stones, Skye. Photo courtesy of Robert Lukeman on Unsplash.
Hills, History, and Hiking
Heading to the Highlands, and visiting the island of Skye in the Inner Hebrides? Here’s what to expect:
The Isle of Skye is connected to the mainland of Scotland by a bridge named, of course, “Skye Bridge”. Though it is the largest island ( except for Lewis and Harris) in the country, it is still only 639 square miles . The coastline is extremely irregular and the island’s backbone is a series of mountains called the Cullins.
Skye Bridge, gateway to the Isle of Skye. ( Image: Pixabay)
The Cullins are in two sections, the Black Cullins to the north and the more gentle Red Cullins to the south. In Scotland any mountain peak over 3000 feet is called a Munro. There are twelve such in the Black Cullins, of which one, called The Inaccessible Pinnacle, turns your mountain hike into a mountain climb. These hills are not for the first-time hiker. Routinely, hikers in the winter months overestimate their skills turning this sport into a call for rescue and sometimes, death. But for the beginning hiker with a guide, this can be a very enjoyable activity and an opportunity for observing the enchanting scenery and the variety of wildlife found on the island.
Old Man of Storr in the distance ( Image: Bigstock)
On Skye you may glimpse the local red deer, the hares and rarely, a wildcat. Overhead soar the eagles, golden and sea. ( You can see an exhibit on the sea eagles at the Aros Centre in Portree.) Off shore are seals, dolphins, and orca whales.
Orca whales (Image: Pixabay)
There is one major town on Skye: Portree. It is a busy port and tourist center with up to date amenities. Either it, or the village of Broadford, will likely be the base of any stay on the island. The only airstrip is located nearby the latter.
What is the chance you will encounter Gaelic speaking islanders? Perhaps one in three, or less, as this language is on the decline recently. There is a Scottish Gaelic College based on the island at Sleat ( a peninsula often called ” the garden of Skye”) and there are tours of the campus all year round if you are interested in this old, beautiful language.
Portree, the hub of Skye ( Image: Bigstock)
Dunvegan Castle in Dunvegan on the north west of the island is a popular excursion. It has been the home of the Clan MacLeod since the 1200’s, and houses three important heirlooms: the fairy flag which has many legends attached, the Dunvegan Cup from 1493, and Sir Rory Mor’s Horn, a drinking horn which could be up to 10 centuries old. Another castle, Armadale,once home to the Clan Donald is now a museum. And inevitably there are ruins on the island of other clan seats: Knock, Dunscaith and Caisteal Maol. Flora MacDonald of Bonnie Prince Charlie fame is buried at Kilmuir. The aforementioned Aros Centre hosts an excellent exhibition on the island’s dramatic and often tragic history.
Dunvegan Castle (Image: Bigstock)
Whether it is hiking, walking, salmon fishing, photographing wildlife, exploring historical points of interest or visiting cultural centers, Skye has a wide variety of activities to keep the visitor busy.
If you would like to visit the Isle of Skye on a cruise of Britain, there are many options including a pre or post stay on a British Isles cruise or a more comprehensive visit on a cruise of the Hebridean Islands. Contact your travel professional for expert, professional advice.
Article first appeared on Real Travel Experts. Feature image courtesy of Pixabay.