Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
13
dated depending on your view.
Bun
ks are i
n m
ixed dorms
or a family/group lodge. Dorms
£16
; twins
£42
Rubha Phoil
Entry at ferry terminal, Armadale
T
01471 844700,
W
skye-permaculture.org.uk.
Just ten
pitches plus two cute cabins in a 16-acre woodland
campsite a
liated to an organic nursery. Alongside green
credentials, you get eggs from free-range hens (with
honesty box), yoga classes, communal ca
mpfires
and, for
early birds, asto
undi
ng sunrises. Camping
£7.50
/person;
cabins (for two)
£30
Kyleakin
he
Skye Bridge
that rendered the ferry crossing redundant has been a mixed blessing for
the old port of
KYLEAKIN
(pronounced “ka
la
kin”, with the stress on the second syllable).
On the one hand it's now bypassed and on the other, that leaves its neat centre that bit
quieter, even in high season. Bizarrely, it's also evolved into a backpackers' hangout.
he bridge has been less kind to
Eilean Bàn
, an island from which the bridge leapfrogs
to cross Loch Alsh. From 1968 to 1969, its lighthouse keeper's cottage was briefly the
home of Gavin Maxwell, author of
Ring of Bright Water
and
Tarka the Otter
. he island
now serves as a nature reserve and can be visited on tours booked through the Bright
Water Visitor Centre (see below) in Kyleakin.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
KYLEAKIN
By bus
There are buses from and to Kyle of Lochlash
(Mon-Sat hourly; 10min) and Portree via Broadford
(1 daily; 55min).
Tourist information
Available in the Bright Water Visitor
Centre, The Pier (Easter-Sept, generally 10am-4pm but
phone for times;
T
01599 530040,
W
eileanban.org).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Saucy Mary's
Kyleakin
T
01599 534845,
W
saucymarys.com.
The largest hostel in the village has
loch views and is popular with backpackers for its location
above the pub - quieter accommodation for families is in
an annexe, a
nd the s
ame ow
ners
also manage a B&B next
door. Dorms
£18.50
; doubles,
£49
Broadford
Skye's second-largest village,
BROADFORD
(An t-Àth Leathann), strung out along the
main road, has a tra
c problem and a charm bypass. hat said, Broadford is handy for
its full quota of facilities - not least a large supermarket and 24-hour fuel - and has one
of the island's few wet-weather retreats. he
Skye Serpentarium
(Easter-Oct Mon-Sat
10am-5pm; July & Aug daily; £4.50;
W
01471 8222209
W
skyeserpentarium.org.uk),
just off the main road, has around fifty reptiles on display, all abandoned or rescued,
ranging from tiny tree frogs to large iguanas. here's usually a snake to handle too -
handy if you have children to entertain when the heavens open.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
BROADFORD
By bus
Broadford is served by local buses from and to
Kyle of Lochlash (Mon-Sat hourly; 25min),
Kyleakin
(Mon-Fri 1 daily, Sat 2 daily; 15min) and Portree (Mon-
Sat 5-6 daily; 40min).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Berabhaigh
3 Limepark
T
01471 822372,
W
isleofskye.net/berabhaigh.
This relaxed B&B behind
the Serpentarium, run by a hugely hospitable couple,
represents great value for money considering the
spotlessly cl
ean
en-suite rooms, both with loch views.
March-Oct.
£76
Broadford Hotel
Torrin Rd
T
01471 822372,
W
broadfordhotel.co.uk.
A rather smart four-star
hotel with tweedy carpets, russet- and chocolate-toned
fabrics and neat extras like iPod docks in the rooms. Its
Spinnaker
restaurant serves mains like sea trout on
baby leeks (£13), while the bar offers pub food under
£10 and
Skye B
rewery beers.
Daily noon-3pm & 5.30-
9.30pm.
£130
Tigh an Dochais
13 Harrapool,
Broadford
T
01471
820022,
W
skyebedbreakfast.co.uk.
Jaw-dropping views
down Broadford Bay through walls of glass are the draw at
this striking B&B, although streamlined contemporary
style and a calm, grow
n-up
vibe are just as good reasons to
check in.
March-Nov.
£90
