Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Broadford
Skye's second-largest village,
BROADFORD
(An t-Àth Leathann), strung out along the
main road, has a traffic problem and a charm bypass. That 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. The
Skye Serpentarium
(Easter-Oct Mon-Sat
10am-5pm; July & Aug daily; £4.50;
W
01471 822 2209,
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. There's usually a snake to handle too
- handy if you have children to entertain when the heavens open.
5
ARRIVAL AND INFORMAT ION
BROADFORD
By bus
Broadford is served by local buses from and to Kyle
of Lochalsh (Mon-Sat hourly; 25min),
Kyleakin (Mon-Fri
1 daily, Sat 2 daily; 15min) and Portree (Mon-Sat 5-6
daily; 40min).
Tourist information
A friendly independent info point
is by the 24hr garage and supermarket in the centre (May-
Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm, April till
4pm; no tel).
ACTIVITIES
Skyak Adventures
Lower Breakish
T
01471 820002,
W
skyakadventures.com.
Based outside Broadford at
Lower Breakish, this experienced company runs sea-
kayaking trips and courses for all abilities.
ACCOMMODAT ION AND EATING
Berabhaigh
3 Limepark
T
01471 822372,
W
isleofskye
.net/berabhaigh.
This relaxed B&B behind the Serpen-
tarium, run by a hugely hospitable couple, represents great
value for money considering the spotlessl
y cle
an 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. Its
Spinnaker
restaurant
serves mains like sea trout on baby leeks (£13), while the
bar offers pub food under £10 an
d Skye
Brewery beers.
Daily noon-3pm & 5.30-9.30pm.
£130
Creelers Seafood Restaurant
Lower Harrapool
T
01471 822281,
W
skye-seafood-restaurant.co.uk.
No
fuss, no highfalutin' foams, this wee restaurant is all about
local seafood simply but superbly prepared - a rich bouilla-
baisse or mussels in dry white wine, butter, garlic and parsley
(mains average £17).
March-Oct Mon-Sat noon-9.30pm.
Ì
Tigh an Dochais
13 Harrapool
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, grown-u
p vib
e are just as good reasons to
check in.
March-Nov.
£90
The Cuillin and Red Hills
They have razor-edge ridges, the slopes plummet in scree fields and the lonely lochs
are imbued with an almost tangible magic. Small wonder that for many people, the
spectacular
Cuillin
range is the sole reason to visit Skye. When - if - the cloud disperses,
these spectacular peaks dominate the island. There are three
approaches
: from the south,
by foot or by boat from Elgol; from
Sligachan Hotel
to the north; or from Glen Brittle to
the west of the mountains. Glen Sligachan is one of the most popular routes as it divides
the granite of the round-topped
Red Hills
(sometimes referred to as the Red Cuillin) to
the east from the Cuillin themselves - sometimes known as the
Black Cuillin
on account
of the colour of their coarse-grained jagged gabbro. With twenty Munros between them,
these are mountains to take seriously. here are around five fatalities a year here and
many routes are for experienced climbers only. If you're unsure, hire a guide.
Elgol, Loch Coruisk and Glen Sligachan
he road to
ELGOL
(Ealaghol) at the tip of the Strathaird peninsula is one of the most
impressive on Skye, swooping into the heart of the Red Hills to culminate in beautiful
views of the Small Isles above Elgol pier.
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