Isle of Skye

jonnybgoode_2

Hello

Has anyone ever been? Good place for a weekend?

Thanks

J

Scubabe

I absolutely loved it! Did some great shopping at small local producers, saw a Basking Shark, seals, otters. Did a tour around the island and loved the scenery. Would go back there again in a heartbeat, it was absolutely gorgeous - would love to go back with hubby and dogs in tow and do a good few days walking on the Isle.

SP123_3

I know the island very well and love it dearly. I would highly recommend it. A car is essential - it's a big island, and takes about 1.5 - 2 hours to drive from the Skye bridge to Duntulm in the far north end. The weather can be unpredictable - when it's sunny it's absolutely glorious, however it also has mist like you've seen. Difficult to predict the best time of year - I've seen stunning weather in February and mist in July! May is often pretty good though.

Places to go - definitely driving to Elgol for spectacular views, there's boat trips across to Loch Coruisk (Misty Isle is recommended), also drive down to Sleat to Armadale Castle (if it's a nice day go round the Tarskavaig road for some gorgeous views). The main town, Portree is fairly functional but has plenty of hotels and eateries. Drive up the Staffin road to see the old man of Storr. Go over the Quiraing - there's a fabulous path out through the pinnacles from the car park which is flat and not too challenging but is exhilerating. If you head out to the west, from Portree or Sligachan, you can get to Dunvegan Castle and Neist Point where the Lighthouse is. There's also Talisker distillery, which is interesting. There's plenty of other things to do as well but that's just off the top of my head.

If you're into the great outdoors there's loads of walks, hikes, climbing, canoe trips etc. If you like wildlife there's loads of boat trips to do, hides you can visit etc. And if you want to go 'over the sea to Skye', I'd recommend driving to Glenelg (mainland) and crossing on the tiny 4-car ferry. On a sunny day, lazy around waiting for that ferry is fab - there's loads of seals around there.

Places to stay - Portee and Broadford are the main towns, and have larger hotels, but most villages will have B&Bs. For very posh nosh, there's the Three Chimneys Restaurant (expensive but wonderful, book well in advance). Otherwise there's plenty of places in Portree and Broadford. There's craft shops, galleries and the like all over the island.

You can also visit Eilean Ban (Gavin Maxwell's place), which is now under the Skye Bridge. If you've got a bit more time, there's some fabulous places off the island too. Plockton is a lovely village six or seven miles from the Skye Bridge (made famous by the Hamish Macbeth TV series), and I'd also recommend driving up and over the Bealach to Applecross, then continuing round the coast road to Torridon.

I don't know how to add a link, but if you google Skye you'll get plenty of websites which are pretty helpful.

SAMHP_2

If you're looking for somewhere to stay, Mary's Cottages on the Isle of Skye sound fab (KT Tunstall apparently honeymooned there and describes them as her "favourite place in the world". I don't have a connection with the place, but they are well recommended on The Real Visitors Book website and sound awesome. Definitely on our 'to do' list
Sam