The Isle of Skye

After your scenic journey along the Road to the Isles, take the vehicle ferry from Mallaig over to Armadale on the magical island of Skye. One of the largest and best known Scottish islands, Skye is well worth a visit of at least 2 days. This page provides a guide to the southern region, Sleat (pronounced 'slate'), also known as the Garden of Skye.

Busy in summer with ferry passengers and sailing boats, Armadale is a small port surrounded by green fields and thick woodlands. A bus service meets the ferry and takes travellers eastwards to Kyleakin, Broadford, Portree or Uig.

Ardvasar is a scattering of white-washed houses dotted around the bay and up the green slopes. It is the largest village in Sleat with a good selection of amenities and just a short walk or drive from Armadale pier. Facilities in Armadale and Ardvasar include accommodation, a garage, youth hostel, cafe, food and craft shops.

Driving along the main road eastwards out of Armadale you will come to the Armadale Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles (formerly called the Clan Donald Visitor Centre). Together with the genealogy research study centre, there are historical exhibits and video show, plus a gift shop, restaurant and 40 acres of gardens to explore.

Take a detour from the main road at Ostaig, where the side road heads off over the hill past Glen Dalavil and Loch Dughaill to the crofting villages of Achnacloich and Tarskavaig. Skye stretches into the distance with the spectacular ridge of the Cuillin mountains, a backdrop for stunning sunsets.

Along the coast at Tokavaig is Dunsgaith Castle, an ancient and crumbling ruin which in the legend of Cuchuillin, the third century Irish warrior-hero, was built in a single night by a witch, and was also associated with the warrior queen Sgathaich. Meaning 'Dun of the Shadow', Dunsgaith was in fact originally held by the MacAskills, then the MacLeods and later the MacDonalds who abandoned it around 1618 when they moved to Duntulm in the north of Skye.

Back on the main road from Armadale after the Museum of the Isles, visitors pass Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic College which holds courses on music, language and culture.

Further along is Kilmore, the religious centre of the parish of Sleat. The first church was established in the 13th century, the present ruins in 1681 and the modern church in 1876. Amongst some very old gravestones are memorials to local worthies and recent Macdonald chiefs.

From a cliff-top viewpoint the ancient stronghold of Knock Castle (or Caisteal Chamuis) guards the seaways. Now in ruins, it is said to be haunted by a 'Green Lady' and was owned by both the MacLeods and MacDonalds at various times.

The woodlands of Duisdale, a pretty church and a scattering of white houses surround the sheltered bay of Iselornsay, known in Gaelic as Eilean Iarmain. It is a picturesque stop for travellers and sailors, with hotels, a shop and an art gallery. Beyond are magnificent views across the Sound of Sleat to the deep lochs and high mountains of the mainland.

In the 19th century it was a busy herring port, full of sailing boats. In the 1960s, Gavin Maxwell, famous for his books about otters, lived here. Today you can visit the otter reserve at Kylerhea where a small ferry sails over to Glenelg on the mainland.

There are many local amenities at Kyleakin, where the Skye Bridge crosses over to Kyle of Lochalsh. Boat trips are available during the summer. The ruins of Castle Maol still stand guard over the straits between the island and the mainland.

This is just a glimpse of what is on offer in southern Skye, but there is much more to see north of Broadford including the capital Portree, museums and heritage centres, castles such as Dunvegan and Duntulm, plus spectacular cliffs, the Cuillin mountains and views of the Outer Hebrides.

Things to see and do Loch Bay Seafood Restaurant at Stein, Waternish. Luxury Guided Tours to the Isle of Skye - ideal for visiting the island just for the day. Depart on the 10.35am ferry from Mallaig and return there on the 5.30pm ferry.

Accommodation Henderson Cottage (self catering) Disclaimer notice

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