The North West Highlands of Scotland holds some of the world's best scenery as well as hundreds of plant and animal species. It also has a unique culture and although eveyone here now speaks English, the local language is the Gaelic (pronounced. Gaalik)
There is literally too much to see and do here that to show visitors what the area is like would fill a dozen websites and so we have included an area by area listing of local websites for you to explore.
View of Lochalsh
South Skye
It is almost impossible to spend a holiday on the island without visiting the small town of Broadford.
There is a good selection of interesting shops and museums as well as a bank, supermarket and 24 hour filling station.
Broadford bay boasts one of the finest sandy beaches on the island and you can take one of the boat trips which regularly leave from the pier.
When you visit Sleat, you will understand why this area of the island is called the garden of Skye. With its broad leafed trees and glorious flora this is a truly beautiful and verdant area.
The Clan Donald Centre is worth a visit and if you want to come 'Over the Sea to Skye' you can still do so on the Mallaig to Armadale Ferry.
Isleornsay in Sleat
North West Skye
It is easy to understand why this area attracts visitors from all over the world. Dunvegan castle is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland and is home of the Clan Chief Macleod. A visit to the castle and its gardens is a must. Its spectacular fireworks display is fast becoming the place to be on Guy Fawkes Night. Dunvegan has a variety of shops and restaurants and you can take seal boat trips, visit the Coral Beaches and enjoy all the visitors' attractions this area has to offer. Anyone interested in coastal scenery and marine wildlife including whales, porpoises and sea birds will enjoy Kildonan and Waternish. The visitor can enjoy boat trips, guided walks, craft shops and excellent restaurants. The oldest Inn on Skye is situated in the eighteenth century township of Stein and is well worth a visit.
Elgol
The road to ELGOL, fourteen miles southwest of Broadford at the tip of the Strathaird peninsula, is one of the most dramatic on the island, leading right into the heart of the Red Hills and then down a precipitous slope, with a stunning view from the top down to Elgol pier. The chief reason for visiting Elgol is, weather permitting, to take a boat across Loch Scavaig on the Bella Jane, past a seal colony, to a jetty near the entrance of Loch Coruisk. An isolated, glacial loch, this needle-like shaft of water, nearly two miles long but only a couple of hundred yards wide, lies in the shadow of the highest peaks of the Black Cuillins, a wonderfully overpowering landscape. Elgol is a delightful little fishing community and enjoys some of the most spectacular views on Skye.The CuillinView Gallery and coffee shops are well worth a visit for a cuppa or a light lunch while enjoying the stunning views. For everyday needs there is the Elgol shop and Post Office where you can buy the essentials as well as samples of local craft and cuisine.
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The Cuillin Hills at Elgol
Portree
Originally named Kiltarigan, Port-righe – meaning King’s Port in Gaelic – was renamed after a visit by King George V. Situated in a natural harbour, Portree is a delightful haven for visiting yachts and cruise ships which return year after year. On a summer’s evening you can watch the local fishermen landing their catch.
Boat trips leave regularly from the bustling harbour. You can try deep sea fishing or go for a leisurely cruise around the neighboring Island of Raasay. There are many fine seafood restaurants to be found in and around Portree. After a delicious meal why not take a stroll to the village square where The Isle of Skye Pipe Band regularly play on summer evenings. Street fayres are held in the summer months providing fun and games for all the family.
The island’s swimming pool offers regular fun days which the children will love. Local cycle hire is also available. There is a superb children’s playground at the Aros Experience – visitors will also enjoy the exhibition telling the full story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s famed visit to Skye.
The less energetic can while away the hours watching the local shinty team entertaining the crowd at their home park – Parc na Loch.
For many people Portnalong/ Carbost this is the most inspirational area of the island. The awe inspiring scenery provided by the magnificent Cuillins has attracted countless visitors for over a century. Climbers, walkers, artists and photographers are drawn by the wonderful panoramic views and the challenge to either capture images or conquer the mighty peaks and ridges. You can watch the local fishermen landing their catches at nearby Carbost and Portnalong. This area enjoys a good selection of pubs and restaurants and children are well catered for. The renowned Talisker Distillery offers guided tours for visitors and there are regular events held throughout the summer months which all the family can enjoy.
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Portree, capital of Skye as seen from the air
Dornie
This is a fascinating area for all the family, you cannot fail to be impressed by the awe inspiring scenery and the ever-changing views of mountains, sea and loch. Accept the challenge and climb one of the magnificent Five Sisters of Kintail, or for those with aspirations at lower altitudes take a walk along one of the many forest tracks or the super Woodland garden at Balmacara.
The charming village of Dornie offers good facilities for boat owners who will enjoy excellent sailing and fishing in Loch Duich, Loch Alsh and the sea beyond. Several hotels and restaurants provide a range of good quality food and refreshments, whilst Eileen Donan Castle 'the jewel in the crown' attracts artists and photographers from far and wide all anxious to capture its imposing grandeur for posterity. Eileen Donan is open to the public and has an excellent visitor centre and tea-room. Kyle of Lochalsh is only 8 miles away and offers a range of shops a golf course, swimming pool and banks.
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Young local piper practising beside Eilean Donan Castle
Lochcarron
This is an area of great scenic beauty with ever changing scenes of mountains, lochs and seas, the jewel in the crown being the much photographed Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie. This area has much to offer the visitor. There are excellent boating and sailing facilities on Lochcarron, Loch Duich, Loch Alsh and the sea beyond.
There are several good quality hostelries where you can enjoy an excellent meal or snack and dram whilst meeting some of the locals. There is a golf course not far from Lochcarron and also a delightful pottery and tearoom.
Eilean Donan castle itself is worth a visit. It has an excellent visitor centre with gift shop and tea room.
The village of Lochcarron
Plockton
View our Self Catering Holiday accommodation in the Plockton area by clicking on the images/links below.
What more can we say that hasn’t already been said about this picturesque little village? Once a fishing settlement, Plockton now attracts visitors from far and wide. It is a conglomeration of tiny cottages clustered around the shore looking east up Lochcarron with a blaze of colour from the rhododendron clad hillsides during spring. Palm trees growing along the tiny village street add to the unique almost continental atmosphere. This is where the village scenes for Hamish MacBeth were filmed so television aficionados will instantly recognise many of the shops and cottages. This is the ideal spot to bring your own boat. An excellent area for a highland holiday, there are many good restaurants and sea trips available in the area.
The Jewel of the Highlands, Plockton
North East Skye
Arguably one of the most spectacular areas on Skye, the dramatic scenery is ever changing. This is an area steeped in history – you can visit Flora MacDonald’s grave in nearby Kilmuir. Also worth a visit is the Skye Museum of Island Life where old thatched ‘black houses’ can be seen as they would have looked in the early part of last century. This part of Skye is a magnet for geologists and archaeologists. The rock formations date back to the ice age and dinosaur fossils were found here recently. The ferry to the Outer Hebrides leaves from Uig and you can visit the island of Harris with its white sandy beaches and Lewis with the famous Callanish Standing Stones. Gourmets are well catered for too – there are several quality restaurants and pubs in the area including an award winning country house hotel where visitors are made very welcome. Well stocked village shops are available in Staffin and Uig. Supermarkets, banks and a wider selection of shops are available in Portree
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