33 years old (in body if not mind), and living in Edinburgh. A keen interest in cycling, cars, spor...
33 years old (in body if not mind), and living in Edinburgh. A keen interest in cycling, cars, sport, design, writing and movies. And marzipan. Can't get enough of that stuff...
Member since:03.11.2003
Reviews:64
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A trip to Skye has become something of an annual pilgrimage for us. Actually, we try and get there a couple of times a year, and after staying in hotelaccommodation the first time have discovered the real joy of the island by renting self-catered cottages since then. This way you can choose from almost any spot on the island, and decide whether you really want to be sitting separate from anyone else.
I could go on at length about the reasons we love Skye, and keep going back, but I thought here I would just share my five favourite spots and experiences on the island.
1. Elgol
Quite simply the best view of the Cuillin range out over the water. This tiny settlement about 10 miles or so from Broadford lies at the bottom of a remarkably steep hill and houses a couple of companies which sail out on wildlife spotting trips, and drop people off to walk round Loch Coruisk right in the heart of the Cuillin (very highly recommended). The walk into Loch Coruisk from Elgol is also absolutely superb, and Camasunary Bay on the way is a haven for mussels clinging to the rocks.
Also home to one of the best located schools in the country - looking out over the water classes stop periodically for whale shark watching apparently. And sitting above Elgol is Coruisk House where you will get one of the best (and friendliest) meals on the island.
2. Bla Bheinn
The last couple of times we've stayed on Skye it's been in Torrin, with a view over Loch Slapin to the distinctive double-top of Bla Bheinn. This Munro looks fantastic with the sun setting behind it, and is a great walk, with wonderful views of the rest of the Cuillin from the top.
3. The wildlife
Every time we go we see something different. Golden eagles and sea eagles when you're lucky. You'll be even luckier to see an otter (not managed that yet), but seals abound (especially on the Elgol boat trips). We spent an hour last trip watching two seals out in a sea loch while on a walk to an old, abandoned village. We had the cliffs, shore and the two seals entirely to ourselves. Bliss.
4. The food...
... but generally only if the restaurant owner knows a fisherman. It's criminal that most of the fantastic seafood from Skye is loaded onto refrigerated vans and sent straight away to the continent. The owners of Coruisk House have some contacts and serve up fresh langoustines and even lobster (you'll get taken through the kitchen to pick yours out). The Stein Inn does great things with langoustines and crab, and if you want true luxury head to the Three Chimneys (though after 4 or 5 meals there we've seen the prices start to rise...).
5. Neist Point
Head north and west past Dunvegan and take the short walk out to the Neist Point lighthouse. The views out to sea, and to the cliffs of Waterstein Head are superb. Look out for the little Black Guillemots as well with their distinctive bright red legs. This is a very brief walk, but a quick and easy way to appreciate some of the landscape of Skye.
It's hard to distil the best parts of Skye down into a list of five (which is why things like 'Elgol' include the boat trips and the view of the Cuillin). There is so much to see, and if you love the outdoors you will never tire of the walks and landscape that you get to wander through. I even find driving round the tight, twisty roads a joy, and cycling on them just as pleasurable.
Oh, and a final word for the Isle of Skye brewery. The brewery shop in Uig is rather depressingly poorly stocked and dull, but the likes of the Co-Op in Broadford carry their full range and I would recommend you try the Porridge Oat Ale. Trust me, it's fabulous.
Pictures of Isle of Skye (Scotland)
On top of Bla Bheinn
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Advantages: beautiful scenery, peaceful, silent Disadvantages: Very dependent on the season and the weather. And the weather is often fickle with tourists.
Nov 20th, 2007
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