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The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye Skye (Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach) is the largest and most northerly of the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland, linked to the mainland by a toll-free bridge. It's a rugged mountainous island with spectacular scenery. Portree is the main village, with a tourist infomation centre, and the main concentration of accommodation.

Gaelic is spoken by 30% of the population, and there's a college teaching entirely in Gaelic in Sleat. On road signs in Skye, the Gaelic version of the place name is given first followed by the English version.

Sleat is the gently rolling southern part of Skye where almost all visitors first arrive. Most use the road bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin.. Once the main ferry port, it's now a quiet place with a small castle. Towards the southern tip of Sleat, Armadale. has ferries from Mallaig on the mainland. Both routes converge on Broadford..

Minginish is the central body of Skye, grouped around the dramatic Cuillin mountain range. A lane runs west from Broadford to Elgol. from where you can take a boat to Loch Coruisk and walk to the fine beach at Camasunary. The main road hugs the north / east coast, passing through Sconser (with ferries to Raasay) and Sligachan.. From here a road branches west towards Carbost. on Loch Harport, home of the Talisker whisky distillery. Side lanes wind inland to Glenbrittle., a good base for climbing the Cuillin.

Portree. is the main village of Skye, and has the most accommodation and other amenities. North of here, the island breaks into three stubby fingers.

Trotternish is the largest and most frequently visited of these, having the stunning rock formations of the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. The A855 (and buses) circumnavigate this beautiful area, with plenty of options for walking and climbing. You also come this way to reach Uig., ferry port for the Outer Hebrides. Uig has a notable brewery, the Fairy Glen and the Skye Museum of Island Life.

Waternish in the middle has some pretty villages, especially Stein., but is often overlooked by tourists. See also the ruins of Trumpan church.

Duirnish is the peninsula west of Dunvegan., best known for Dunvegan Castle. Further up the lane are Glendale and Colbost.. The lane ends at Milovaig but you can hike to the lighthouse at Neist Point.

Minginish is the central body of Skye, grouped around the dramatic Cuillin mountain range. A lane runs west from Broadford to Elgol. from where you can take a boat to Loch Coruisk and walk to the fine beach at Camasunary. The main road hugs the north / east coast, passing through Sconser (with ferries to [[Raasay]]) and Sligachan.. From here a road branches west towards Carbost. on Loch Harport, home of the Talisker whisky distillery. Side lanes wind inland to Glenbrittle., a good base for climbing the Cuillin.

Portree. is the main village of Skye, and has the most accommodation and other amenities. North of here, the island breaks into three stubby fingers.

Waternish in the middle has some pretty villages, especially Stein., but is often overlooked by tourists. See also the ruins of Trumpan church.

Castle Moil, Kyleakin Kilt Rock and Waterfall

Rock formations and sea-stacks:
The Old Man of Storr is a rocky outcrop north of Portree. Take the Trotternish road anti-clockwise for the best view.

Kilt Rock and waterfall are along the Trotternish road between Portree and Uig.

Macleod's Maidens are sea-stacks near Skye's west tip. They're reached by a long hike from Dunvegan, but more usually seen by boat trip.
Castles:
Dunvegan Castle is the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod, just north of Dunvegan village and open April-Oct.

Armadale Castle is a ruined mansion and you can't go in, but see the gardens and museum. It's near Armadale village and open Mar-Nov.

Others that are little more than picturesque ruins are Dunscaith a few miles north of Armadale, Castle Moil at Kyleakin, and Duntulm north of Uig.
Neist Point Lighthouse is a one mile walk along a firm path above Colbost.
Loch Coruisk is a scenic loch near the west coast, usually reached via Elgol.
Skye Museum of Rural Life and Flora Macdonald's grave are north of Uig.
Nearby islands: Raasay is a short ferry ride from Sconser. Rona just north is sometimes visited by boat trips from Portree.

Rock formations and sea-stacks:

The Old Man of Storr is a rocky outcrop north of [[Portree]]. Take the Trotternish road anti-clockwise for the best view.

Kilt Rock and waterfall are along the Trotternish road between [[Portree]] and [[Uig]].

Macleod's Maidens are sea-stacks near Skye's west tip. They're reached by a long hike from [[Dunvegan]], but more usually seen by boat trip.

Castles:

Dunvegan Castle is the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod, just north of [[Dunvegan]] village and open April-Oct.

Armadale Castle is a ruined mansion and you can't go in, but see the gardens and museum. It's near [[Armadale_(Skye)|Armadale]] village and open Mar-Nov.

Others that are little more than picturesque ruins are Dunscaith a few miles north of [[Armadale_(Skye)|Armadale]], Castle Moil at [[Kyleakin]], and Duntulm north of [[Uig]].

Neist Point Lighthouse is a one mile walk along a firm path above [[Colbost]].

Loch Coruisk is a scenic loch near the west coast, usually reached via [[Elgol]].

Skye Museum of Rural Life and Flora Macdonald's grave are north of [[Uig]].

Nearby islands: [[Raasay]] is a short ferry ride from [[ Sligachan | Sconser]]. Rona just north is sometimes visited by boat trips from Portree.

Learn Scottish Gaelic at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye's Gaelic college. Attend one of their short courses or do a full degree.
Go walking in the Cuillin, Skye's most famous group of mountains, or enjoy the coastal treks elsewhere on the island. Visit Walkhighlands (Isle of Skye walks), a free and independent guide to walks on the island.
Bag all the Munros, the mountains over 3000 ft / 914.4 m in Scotland. By far the most difficult is Sgùrr Dearg above Glenbrittle, as it's topped by a sharp blade of rock rightly named "The Inaccessible Pinnacle", requiring rock-climbing skills and gear to surmount.
Boat trips mostly sail from Portree, with some from Uig and elsewhere. The visit to Loch Coruisk is usually done as a boat trip from Elgol.
Events: live music, ceilidhs and concerts are held year round, but mostly July-Aug.

Learn Scottish Gaelic at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye's Gaelic college. Attend one of their short courses or do a full degree.

Go walking in the Cuillin, Skye's most famous group of mountains, or enjoy the coastal treks elsewhere on the island. Visit Walkhighlands (Isle of Skye walks), a free and independent guide to walks on the island.

Bag all the Munros, the mountains over 3000 ft / 914.4 m in Scotland. By far the most difficult is Sgùrr Dearg above Glenbrittle, as it's topped by a sharp blade of rock rightly named "The Inaccessible Pinnacle", requiring rock-climbing skills and gear to surmount.

Boat trips mostly sail from Portree, with some from Uig and elsewhere. The visit to Loch Coruisk is usually done as a boat trip from Elgol.

Events: live music, ceilidhs and concerts are held year round, but mostly July-Aug.

Fill the car tank before you leave central Scotland, and drive cannily. You'll do a lot of mileage just to get here, with not many refueling options en route. The filling station at the south end of Portree has fuel for only a few pence more than city supermarket prices.

Most of the larger villages on Skye have some kind of small shop, but don't expect a broad range or supermarket prices. Portree has the biggest selection of shops, including two Co-op supermarkets. Broadford has a few shops including a small Co-op supermarket.

Woollen goods are a noted product of Skye. Look for them at the gift shop at the Clan Donald Centre (above) or in Portree or Armadale.

Neist Point Lighthouse

Cuillin Brewery in Sligachan is a micro-brewery that offers tours.
Isle of Skye Brewing Company in Uig has brewery tours and a shop. Their most popular bottled beers are Black Cuillin (a dark porter), Red Cuillin (an amber) and Hebridean Gold (a golden ale), available in many pubs across the island.
Whisky distilleries: Talisker in Carbost is the best known, but there's also Torabhaig in Sleat, plus Raasay an easy day-trip from Sconser. All three can be toured; Raasay whisky won't go on sale till Dec 2020, but While We Wait is an ersatz offering meanwhile.
Isle of Skye Whisky is perfectly quaffable, but it's a blend of whiskies produced at Broxburn near Edinburgh, with no base on the island.

Cuillin Brewery in [[Sligachan]] is a micro-brewery that offers tours.

Isle of Skye Brewing Company in [[Uig]] has brewery tours and a shop. Their most popular bottled beers are Black Cuillin (a dark porter), Red Cuillin (an amber) and Hebridean Gold (a golden ale), available in many pubs across the island.

Whisky distilleries: Talisker in [[Carbost]] is the best known, but there's also Torabhaig in [[Armadale (Skye) | Sleat]], plus [[Raasay]] an easy day-trip from [[Sconser]]. All three can be toured; Raasay whisky won't go on sale till Dec 2020, but While We Wait is an ersatz offering meanwhile.

Return to the mainland via the bridge to see Plockton, Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie, and Loch Ness.
Or return via ferry to Mallaig to visit Glenfinnan, Ardnamurchan and Ben Nevis above Fort William.
The Small Isles are Eigg, Rum, Muck and Canna, reached by ferry from Mallaig; in summer a day-trip may be possible.
Outer Hebrides: ferries sail from Uig on Skye to Tarbet on Harris and to Lochmaddy on North Uist.

Skye

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