Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ISLE OF SKYE
POP 9900
The Isle of Skye (an t-Eilean Sgiathanach in Gaelic) takes its name from the old Norse
sky-
a,
meaning 'cloud island', a Viking reference to the often mist-enshrouded Cuillin Hills.
It's the largest of Scotland's islands, a 50-mile-long smorgasbord of velvet moors, jagged
mountains, sparkling lochs and towering sea cliffs. The stunning scenery is the main attrac-
tion, but when the mist closes in there are plenty of castles, crofting museums and cosy
pubs and restaurants in which to retire.
Activities
Walking
Skye offers some of the finest - and in places, the roughest and most difficult - walking in
Scotland. There are many detailed guidebooks available, including a series of four walking
guides by Charles Rhodes, available from the Aros Experience (
Click here
) and the tourist
office in Portree. You'll need Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:50,000 maps 23 and 32. Don't at-
tempt the longer walks in bad weather or in winter.
Easy, low-level routes include: through
Strath Mor
from Luib (on the Broad-
ford-Sligachan road) and on to Torrin (on the Broadford-Elgol road; allow 1½ hours, 4
miles); from
Sligachan to Kilmarie
via Camasunary (four hours, 11 miles); and from
El-
gol to Kilmarie
via Camasunary (2½ hours, 6.5 miles). The walk from
Kilmarie to
Coruisk
and back via Camasunary and the ' Bad Step' is superb but slightly harder (11
miles round trip, allow five hours). The Bad Step is a rocky slab poised above the sea that
you have to scramble across; it's easy in fine, dry weather, but some walkers find it intim-
idating.
SKYE WALKING HOLIDAYS
( 01470-552213;
www.skyewalks.co.uk
;
Duntulm Castle Hotel, Duntulm)
Organises three-day
guided walking holidays for £400 per person, including four nights of hotel accommoda-
tion.
| Walking
Sea Kayaking
The sheltered coves and sea lochs around the coast of Skye provide water lovers with mag-
nificent sea-kayaking opportunities. The centres listed here can provide kayaking instruc-
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