Day Trips to the Isle of Skye

Luxury Tours of Skye from Armadale Visiting the best of the island and returning for the ferry back to Mallaig and Fort William in time for your evening meal.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

1. CLAN DONALD CENTRE: Armadale headquarters of the MacDonald Clan.
2. SABHAL MOR OSTAIG: Only Gaelic college in the UK and soon to have universily status.
3. TOCAVAIG: Dunsgaith Castle ruins can be seen - home to the father of Ramsay MacDonald; first Labour Prime Minister.
4. ORD: Mecca to thousands of geologists.
5. ISLE ORNSAY: Where Gavin Maxwell, of otter fame, lived for a while at the lighthouse.
6. KINLOCH LODGE HOTEL: Home of Lord & Lady MacDonald; High Chief of Clan MacDonald.
7. BROADFORD CROSS ROADS: Right leads to Skye Bridge but we go left towards Portree and the north of the island.
8. Journeying north of BROADFORD we see the first of the RED CUILLINNS; Beinn na Caillich, Passing through the majestic mountains we head for the old Inn at Sligachan.
9. Before Sligachan we pass SCONSER LODGE where in 1745 the Chiefs of MacDonald and MacLeod met and decided not to support Bonnie Prince Charlie. From Sconser the ferry leaves for the island of Raasay from where MacLeod of Raasay sent an ill-fated 100 men to support the Prince and subsequently paid heavily. His lands being plundered; cattle stolen and boats destroyed. Many of his clansmen were captured and starved to death by the infamous Duke of Cumberland.
10. At SLIGACHAN we reach the end of the Red Cuillins (rounded granite) and the start of the BLACK CUILLINS (Jagged, dangerous and composed of gabro rock) and home to golden eagles amidst 14 Munros (mountains over 3000'). Here the last clan battle between the MacLeods and the MacDonalds took place.
11. Turning left at Sligachan we travel towards CARBOST where the famous Talisker whisky is distilled and on towards the Castle of Dunvegan, the home of the MacLeods of MacLeod who cleared over 2000 clansmen from their land to make way for SIX sheep farmers from the lowlands.
12. Before reaching DUNVEGAN we pass through STRUAN and see on the right, up the hill behind, one of the best remaining examples on Skye of a 2000 year old BROCH. On to CAROY we pass the ancient and ruinous Church of St. John the Epistle where lies the body of Flora MacDonald Swire, tragically killed in the Lockerbie plane disaster In 1988. Flora, daughter of Dr. Jim Swire, was a direct descendant of the Flora MacDonald.
13. On approaching the TOWNSHIP of DUNVEGAN we see the two flat topped basalt peaks: MACLEODS TABLES, whereupon in ancient times the Clan Chiefs sat in judgment of their inferiors.
14. After lunch at the castle we head for PORTREE. This journey of some 20 odd miles will be broken up with tales of the history of Skye from the dark and forgotten past to present day. The Picts, Celts and the Vikings will all be put in context together with the Lordship of the Isles, The BATTLE of CULLODEN in 1746 and the massacre of Bonnie Prince Charlie's supporters and the subsequent saga of Flora MacDonald's flight with the Prince as he sought to escape the vengence of the pursuing English. Also the sad stories of the Clearances where an ancient people were forced from Skye to new lives in lands afar, or to die in deep waters betwixt.
15. In the event of the Tour taking in the NORTH END of SKYE as an alternative, you will hear further epic tales of Flora and visit her grave at Kllmuir. Also the 'Last Good-byes' to Charlie at the MacNabs Hotel (now the 'Royal') in Portree; The BATTLE of the BRAES; CROFTING HISTORY and its present day context; AND MUCH MORE..

LORD MACDONALD, HIGH CHIEF OF THE CLAN DONALD has contributed the following: This tour is a must for any MacDonald returning to Scotland for a holiday. Peter's knowledge and enthusiasm of Clan lands is unrivalled and I know of no better guide in Scotland and Skye to show you around on this truly authentic trip.

Isle of Skye Tour Guide Co.

Owned and operated by Peter MacDonald, direct descendant of the Isles and the Macdonald Chiefs.  Skye's number one tour guide, Peter is a local historian and gives lectures on the true story of Flora MacDonald, Highland heroine of the 1745 rebellion.  Every detail of island life is told, its history, its culture, its people, the mountains and wildlife from ancient times to the present day.  Tours are conducted in the luxury of a 7-seat Zafire People Carrier.  Peter also acts as a driver/guide in client's own vehicle or courier in a coach.  Mrs MacDonald runs an excellent B&B establishment and we can arrange free trout fishing and guided mountain walks.

DETAILS OF THE TOURS

We are based at Armadale in the South end of the Island and normally the tours commence at the ferry terminal, Broadford and Kyle of Lochalsh railway station.  Outwith these areas, such as Portree and the North of the Island, there is a surcharge of £15 to cover extra time and mileage.

There are two(2) 6-hour tours and one(1) 8-hour tour.  The 6-hour tours cover 130 miles and cost £140.  The 'A' tour goes to Dunvegan Castle, home to the MacLeod Clan and the 'B' tour goes to the North end of the Island to the Kilt Rock and the Museum of Island Life.  The 8-hour tour goes to both venues and costs £170.  All three tours spend some time at Portree the capital of the Island.  There is a 10% discount for groups numbering 3 or fewer.

The Zafira takes between 1 and 6 people, who must be of the same party or group of friends.  Stops are made frequently to allow for photographs.  By leaving your car in Mallaig you will save £26 in ferry fees, but will be back in time for your evening meal at your hotel on the mainland.  The tours are designed to coincide with ferry and train times.

BOOKING THE PREVIOUS DAY IS ESSENTIAL (9PM THE VERY LATEST)
TOURS WILL OPERATE FROM 1 MAY UNTIL 1 OCTOBER
for a minimum of 2 days per week in the low season

(This tour will save you the £26 car ferry fee)

NEW FOR 2007 - Shorter Day Tour to PORTREE

 

* Leave Mallaig on foot on the morning Ferry.

* Peter MacDonald will pick you up at Armadale and take you on a 40 mile tour to Portree, stopping at various places en route, to see magnificent scenery and listen to the history of the area, its culture and much more.

* Lots of time for photography and strolls.

* Return to Armadale for 3:15 pm ferry or spend time at the Clan Donald centre and catch the 4:25 or 5:35 pm ferry to Mallaig.

* Visitors in Fort William can catch the 8:30 am train to Mallaig to connect with the ferry, do the tour, and return to Fort William by the 6:15 pm train from Mallaig

 

TOUR MUST BE PREBOOKED AND BE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 6 PEOPLE OF THE SAME PARTY OR GROUP.

COST IS £72 PER TOUR, PER GROUP

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Page last updated: December 2006
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