Boat Trip to Loch Coriusk and other Isle of Skye, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

A boat trip is a must whilst on Skye but there are just so many. We eventually decided upon the Misty Isle trip from Elgol (we were told it was the best and I believe this to be very true).

The 30 minute trip from the village of Elgol takes you out onto the Loch and past seal colonies to a breathtakingly beautiful bay where you are left to roam around on your own for an anhour and a half. You are left in probably the most gorgeous part of the island and you can climb, paddle, relax whatever... you'll be dissapointed when it's time to leave. You can stay longer and take a later boat back if you wish.

On the way back you'll be treated to tea and shortbread (although we never got given any shortbread) and you may be treated to a bagpipe recital from the captain's teenage son.

The trip costs £12.50 for adults, £5.50 children and under 4s are free. Boats sail monday-saturday from May to September at 11:00 and 14:15.

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Phone: +44 (0)1471 866 288
Directions: Elgol is at the end of a 16 mile single track road from Broadford. It is one of the most amazing roads I have driven down in my life.
Website: www.verdant.ltd.uk/mistyisle/

Skye is principally an island for walkers and climbers. If, like us, you were here for a more relaxing holiday but wanted to walk a little as well then the 2 mile round trip down to Neist Point light house is ideal.

This beautiful cliff gives a spectacular view out west and the steep descent then ascent towards the lighthouse will get your blood flowing.

At the lighthouse you'll just want to stop, take in the atmosphere and admire the absolutely fantastic vista before the walk back.

Unfortunately, the lighthouse is private and cannot be visited but this doesn't take away anything from the visit.

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Directions: The B884 road on the Duirinish Peninsula turns off to Waterstein and at the end of this road is a car park for Neist Point.

You should visit Trumpan for 3 reasons:

1- The view from here is absolutely amazing and at least once you should come and watch the sunset. It goes down in a blaze of glory over the Western Isles lighting the sky over Ardmore Bay pink.

It is both surreal and beautiful

2- The church ruins and cemetery here has a very significant history. In the 16th Century the Macleod Clan were taking refuge from fighting on the nearby Isle of Eigg and the MacDonalds sailed there, started a fire and burned to death the 395 people inside. In response the Macleod's sailed to Trumpan one sunday morning under the cover of fog and started their own fire at this church killing the entire congregation.

Fighting between the Western Highland Clans was so regular that it was accepted as part of life, despite being particularly grusome. It is said that fighting had been going on for so long that nobody really knew why they were even fighting.

3- Just by the Fairy Bridge before trumpan is the Isle's oldest pub in a village called Stein. It is cosy and the beer garden is picturesque.

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Directions: At the tip of the Waternish Peninsula at the end of the B886 road.

The Museum of island Life is essential in understanding the history of the island and crofting at the end of the 19th century. It is a worthwile visit if only for the thatched crofting cottages alone.

At the end of the tract running past the museum is a cemetery which has the grave of Flora MacDonald marked by the MacDonald Monument. Flora Macdonald was the Skye local who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape the Jacobites on the mainland dressed as an Irish Servant Girl on one of her boats. She was subsequently arrested and sent to the Tower of London for her part in the escape but was never executed. She returned to Skye after emigrating to the USA and her funeral in 1790 was the largest ever witnessed in the Scottish Higlands.

Entrance to the museum is £1.75 for adults and £1 for children. The memorial can be visited for free. The museum is open monday to saturday 09:30-17:00 from April to October.

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Phone: +44(0)1470-552206
Directions: Located in Kilmuir on the A855 road on the Totternish Peninsula.
Website: www.skyemuseum.co.uk/

Perched high on a cliff on the Totternish Peninsula is this ruin which was once a castle built on a Norse stronghold in the 15th Century.

Previosuly inhabited by the MacDonald Clan folk lore says it was abandoned in the 18th century when a baby heir was accidently dropped to his death from a window.

Entrance to the castle is free.

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Directions: Between Kilmuir and Kilmaluag on the North of the Totterninsh Peninsula. Off the A855 Road.

Angus MacAskill was the tallest ever Scotsman at 7ft 9in and was famed for touring the USA with Tom Thumb who was said to dance on his outstretched palm.

The museum is in a small thatched cottage run by Peter macAskill, who is from the same family tree. Inside are replicas of Angus' coffin, socks and bed which just bring home how large this man actually was. You can also stand next to the life size statues of Angus and Tom Thumb.

Peter the museum owner is extemely friendly and as you will most likely be the only visitor he'll sit with you, tell you stories about the giant and chat to you for as long as you like, he even took this photo.

Entrance to the museum is £1 and it's open 09:30-18:30 March to October. Ring the bell at the museum door and the owner will come down from his house to let you in.

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Phone: +44 (0)1470 521296
Directions: In the main town of Dunvegan.
Other Contact: Email: anniemac@annemacaskil.u-n

The main attraction on the Isle, Dunvegan castle is home to the Chiefs of the McCleod Clan who have inhabited this place since the 13th Century. The castle actually dates from the 15th Century and looks more like a stately home. However, inside there are genuinely interesting articles, multi-lingual tour cards and a mini-exhibition about the now uninhabited Isle of St Kilda.

The castle is still inhabited so it is not all open to the Public. You also get entrance to the castle gardens which are pristinely maintained and very pleasant to walk around.

Optional boat trips to the seal colonies also go from Dunvegan Castle but there are better boat trips available.

In the car park is the Gift Shop and Cafe. The cafe is overpriced but sells good quality soups and snacks. The gift shop is remarkably not at all tacky although a little expensive.

Entrance for castle and gardens is £6.50 (concessions £3.50) of £4.50 for entrance to the gardens only.

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Phone: +44 (0)1470 521206
Address: Dunvegan Skye
Directions: Just north of the town od Dunvegan at the base of the Waternish Peninsula.
Website: www.dunvegancastle.com
Other Contact: Email: enquiry@dunvegancastle.co

On the Sleat Peninsula on the flat and less picturesque (but still pretty) South of Skye, Armadale castle is now just ruins although rather ironically the servant's quarters is still in one piece. There is also a fantastic exhibition centre here as great views across to the mainland. You'll also see (and definitely hear) Royal Air Force fighter jets careering over from the nearby Airbase.

Bulit in 1815, Armadale castle was the residence of the MacDonalds of Sleat. surrounding the ruins of 40 acres of woodland, gardens and nature trails.

The exhibition centre takes a look at Skye history but seems to concentrate on emigration of ot's residents to the USA and Canada.

The castle, exhibition centre and gardens are open daily 09:30-17:30 April to October.
Entry is £4.50

Further down the road at the Point of Sleat there is a ferry terminal to the Mainland and a few shops and a cafe on the pier.

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Phone: +44 (0)1471 844305
Directions: On The A851 Road out of Broadford between Teangue and Ardvasar
Website: www.clandonald.com
Other Contact: E-mail: office@clandonald.com

The main town of Skye with lots of Cafe's, Restaurants, Local Shops and bars. This is also where the main tourist information centre is.

I would reccomend a walk along the harbour. Also, many of the pubs in Somerled Square have live music at night in the Summer.

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The village at the far north of the Isle on the Totternish Peninsula. There's nothing here to be honest apart from a few B&Bs and a ferry terminal to the Western Isles. Worth visiting for the photo opportunities alone though. You may also see armed convoys travelling from the British Army Base at Lewis. We saw one and it was quite surreal seeing lorries carrying heavy artillery travelling on single track roads.

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