Skye
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-> SkyeSkye is Scotland's largest island and is dominated by the Cuillin Hills. It has a barren landscape and can be very wet but attracts hordes of visitors in the summer who enjoy the scenery, walking, climbing and watersports or just exploring the island's castles, museums and pubs. Access to the island is via the A87 which now passes over the new Skye Bridge replacing the ferry from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin, former home of the author Gavin Maxwell and where there is now the Bright Water Visitor Centre. There is also a car ferry crossing from Glenelg to Kylerhea where there is an otter hide.
There are ferries from Mallaig to Armadale in south-eastern Skye where there is the excellent Armadale Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles (set within the partly ruined Armadale Castle, former seat of the MacDonalds of Sleat) which is most informative about the clans and the Clearances.
The views of the mountains between Broadford on the east coast and Elgol on the west coast are magnificent and there are boat trips from Elgol to the remote Loch na Cuilce to view the seals, otters and porpoises. The Cuillin Hills can be accessed from Sligachan. To the west is the Talisker Distillery near Carbost where there is a wonderful sandy bay.
Portree is the main settlement on Skye. Its attractions include the Aros Experience, (which includes CCTV coverage of nesting eagles and herons, a theatre and cinema), an art centre and wildlife boat trips. The Isle of Skye Highland Games are held in the town in August. The 14th century Dunvegan Castle, on the north-west coast, is the seat of the chief of the clan McLeod. It has a dungeon and interesting displays of artefacts relating to Bonnie Prince Charlie and other Jacobites.
The Trotternish Peninsula north of Portree has magnificent scenery, including various geological features such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Quiraing and the Needle. The island of Raasay opposite Portree is the site of the ruins of Brochel Castle and has many good walks and an outdoor centre. Visitors are attracted to Kilmuir, north of Uig, for the Skye Museum of Island Life, the grave of Flora Macdonald and Macurdie's Exhibition. The area also provides opportunities for windsurfing, archery and kayaking. Uig is the terminal for ferries to the Outer Hebrides.
Information
There is a tourist office in Broadford (in the car park), at Lochside in Dunvegan and in Bayfield Road in Portree. Hotels on Skye include: the Ardvasar Hotel in Armadale; Isleornsay Hotel, Hotel Eilean Iarmain and Kinloch Lodge Hotel at Isleornsay; Sligachan Hotel; the Old Inn at Loch Harport; Cuillin Hills, Bosville Hotel, Portree House Hotel, Rosedale Hotel, Skeabost House Hotel and Royal Hotel in Portree; the Stein Inn at Dunvegan; Flodigarry Country House Hotel; and Isle of Raasay Hotel.
Restaurants on Skye include: Creeler's in Broadford; Cairidh Seafood Restaurant in the Sligachan Hotel; Harbour View Seafood Restaurant, Bosville Restaurant and Lower Deck Restaurant in Portree; Lochbay Seafood Restaurant, the Old Schoolhouse and the Three Chimneys in/near Dunvegan; and the Glenview Inn at Staffin Bay.
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