Area Guide - Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is a very popular day trip destination for many of our guests and we generally recommend that they head for the north of the island, particularly the Trotternish Peninsula in the north east, although this makes for a long day out. Alternatively we like to recommend a circular route travelling across on the Glenelg Ferry and returning across the Skye Bridge.

Northern Skye

The Trotternish Peninsula contains some incredible landscape features with The Quiraing and The Old Man of Storr being the best known. On the east coast of Trotternish is Kilt Rock where there is a popular viewpoint overlooking the 90m high striated cliffs which are said to resemble the shape of a kilt. Also here are Mealt Falls, not to be confused by the similarly named Lealt Falls which are a little further south but equally popular. Fairy Glen has an unusual landscape on a small scale but absolutely no fairies; if you visit please do heed the requests of the local landowners to treat the place respectfully and cause no damage.

In the far north of Trotternish can be found The Skye Museum of Island Life, nearby to which is the fascinating Kilmuir Graveyard which is dominated by a very tall celtic cross dedicated to the memory of Flora MacDonald who is buried here. Other notable graves here include fashion designer Alexander McQueen and that of a local clan chief, Angus Martin, whose grave slab is carved into the form of a knight in armour.

Also in the north of Trotternish is Kilvaxter Souterrain, an ancient underground passage which is easy to find and fully accessible, and Macurdie's Exhibition, probably one of the most eccentric tourist attractions you'll ever visit!

Skye is renowned for its wildlife watching tours and in the main town of Portree there are boat tours operated by Stardust Boat Trips and Brigadoon Boat Trips which offer opportunities for close encounters with Sea Eagles, dolphins, seals, the ocassional whale and other marine wildlife. Nearby to Portree is the AROS Centre, Skye's main arts venue with live music, comedy and cinema and which also incorporates a restaurant and large gift shop. A.C.E. Target Sports which offers a range of unusual activities such as axe throwing, archery and clay shooting is also just outside the town on the B885.

On the western half of northern Skye Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is the oldest continually inhabited castle in Scotland and offers plenty to see, including seal watching trips. Neist Point Lighthouse is one one of the most well know, and extensively photographed, lighthouses in the whole of Scotland.

Southern Skye

The southern half of Skye is mainly known for containing Skye's two mountain ranges, The Black Cuillin, the highest point being Sgurr Alasdair and The Red Cuillin, the highest point being Glamaig, making the area a popular destination for walkers and climbers. Amongst the mountains in Glenbrittle are the magnificent Fairy Pools which can get very crowded at peak times but are certainly worthy of a visit.

For less energetic pursuits, southern Skye has two whisky distilleries, the well known Talisker Distillery and the recently established much smaller and lesser known Torabhaig Distillery which can be conveniently combined with a visit to Armadale Castle & Gardens.

The coastline around Elgol is much photographed for its stunning views across the bay the the Cuillin mountains, and here there are yet mnore boat trips to be had with Misty Isle Boat Trips and Bella Jane Boat Trips, b oth of which offer, amongst others, trips into Loch Coruisk: a remote loch amongst spectacular scenery in the Cuillins that is otherwise only accessible via a long and arduous hike. On the east coast of the Elgol Peninsula is Spar Cave which is easily accessible with careful planning and a check on the tides!

In our opinion, no visit to Skye is complete without a trip on the Kylerhea to Glenelg Ferry! Not only is travelling on the ferry itself a rather unique experience - it's the last operating manual turntable ferry in the world - but the narrow crossing is abound with wildlife including otters, seals, sea eagles, dolphins, porpoises, ocassional whales and many others. In addition, Glenelg is in a stunningly beautiful location on the mainland side of the Kyle Rhea and the drive between Glenelg and Shiel Bridge is one of the most scenic in all of The Highlands.

Area Guides

Fort Augustus

Glenmoriston and Fort Augustus

A guide to the immediate surroundings and nearby facilities within the vicinity of The Bridge Suite including the villages of Invermoriston and Fort Augustus.

Loch Tarff

The Great Glen

The Bridge Suite is centrally located in this world renowned and much visited 62 mile slice of the Scottish Higlands that incorporates the very best that Scotland has to offer.

Inverness Pipe Band

Inverness

Explore the attractions, shops, restaurants, cultural highlights, events and surroundings of The Scottish Highlands' capital city located on the Moray Firth coast at the northern end of The Great Glen

Snow on Ben Nevis from Corpach

Fort William

Located at the south-western end of The Great Glen and at the base of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, there are many reasons why Fort William is known as the outdoor capital of the UK.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

Another world renowned tourist destination which is easily accessible as a day trip from The Bridge Suite, The Isle of Skye has a very different character from the mainland and many of our guests enjoy a day here.

Cairngorm Mountain Railway

The Cairngorms

The Cairngorm mountain range is at the heart of Britain's largest national park which has plenty to offer to visitors and can be reached, and explored, within a day trip from The Bridge Suite.