Dunvegan

United_Kingdom

Dunvegan (Gaelic: Dùn Bheagain) is a small village on Skye in the Scottish Hebrides. The main draw is the castle. Dunvegan is also a base for exploring Duirnish, the peninsula to the west.

  • Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, Dunvegan IV55 8WF (A mile north of village off jcn A850 & A863. Apr-mid-Oct daily 10:00-17:30. Ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, built in 13th C but much altered and prettified in 19th C. The "Fairy Flag" is an ancient silk heirloom, steeped in hoaky legend and tenuously-connected miracles; it's probably from Syria and may date back to the Crusades, though family tradition puts it much earlier. Other heirlooms are the Dunvegan Cup, dating to 1493, and Sir Rory Mor's Horn which may be 10th C Norse. Adult £14, child £9, senior £11.
  • Giant MacAskill Museum. Daily (Easter - end Oct) 9.30am - 6.00pm. Small museum about a giant (an ancestor of the owner) from Berneray, who emigrated to Canada. Giant MacAskill, (Angus Mor MacAskill, 1825-1863) was known as the world's largest "true" giant (normal proportions, no growth abnormalities), reaching a height of 7 ft 9 in. £2.
  • Neist Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a half-mile walk from the road end, along a well-paved but initially steep path. A longer walk leads to the Point.

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, Dunvegan IV55 8WF (A mile north of village off jcn A850 & A863. Apr-mid-Oct daily 10:00-17:30. Ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, built in 13th C but much altered and prettified in 19th C. The "Fairy Flag" is an ancient silk heirloom, steeped in hoaky legend and tenuously-connected miracles; it's probably from Syria and may date back to the Crusades, though family tradition puts it much earlier. Other heirlooms are the Dunvegan Cup, dating to 1493, and Sir Rory Mor's Horn which may be 10th C Norse. Adult £14, child £9, senior £11.

Giant MacAskill Museum. Daily (Easter - end Oct) 9.30am - 6.00pm. Small museum about a giant (an ancestor of the owner) from [[Berneray]], who emigrated to Canada. Giant MacAskill, (Angus Mor MacAskill, 1825-1863) was known as the world's largest "true" giant (normal proportions, no growth abnormalities), reaching a height of 7 ft 9 in. £2.

Neist Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a half-mile walk from the road end, along a well-paved but initially steep path. A longer walk leads to the Point.

  • Hike to MacLeod's Maidens. These sea stacks are near the south tip of the peninsula, a 5 mile / 9 km hike each way, see Walkhighlands for a description.

Hike to MacLeod's Maidens. These sea stacks are near the south tip of the peninsula, a 5 mile / 9 km hike each way, see Walkhighlands for a description.

  • Fasgadh Stores. M-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 11:00-17:30. General store & grocer.

Fasgadh Stores. M-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 11:00-17:30. General store & grocer.

  • Old School Restaurant, Dunvegan, +44 1470 521421. mid Mar-mid Oct daily 12:00-15:00 & 18:00-21:00. In the old school house, serves modern Scottish seafood, beef & game; limited vegetarian choice. Mains from £16.

Old School Restaurant, Dunvegan, +44 1470 521421. mid Mar-mid Oct daily 12:00-15:00 & 18:00-21:00. In the old school house, serves modern Scottish seafood, beef & game; limited vegetarian choice. Mains from £16.

  • Dunvegan Hotel (see "Sleep") has a lounge bar upstairs and the Cellar Bar below, both open daily 11:00-23:00. There's often live music downstairs Thurs & Sat.

Dunvegan Hotel (see "Sleep") has a lounge bar upstairs and the Cellar Bar below, both open daily 11:00-23:00. There's often live music downstairs Thurs & Sat.

  • The obvious onward route is towards Portree, taking in the other peninsulas of northern Skye.
  • You can also wind along the west coast, passing near Carbost (for the Talisker distillery) and rejoining the main road at Sligachan.