Isle of Skye
Scotland'S Largest Island In The Inner Hebrides, With The Jagged Black Cuillin, The Old Man Of Storr, The Fairy Pools, Quiraing And Neist Point Lighthouse. Single Track Roads, Midges In Summer And A Fast Growing Tourist Crowd, With Parking And Accommodation Under Pressure. The Weather Is The Main Variable · Portree, Scotland
The Isle of Skye is the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off Scotland's west coast, reached by the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh or by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. It is famous for the jagged Black Cuillin, the rock pinnacle of the Old Man of Storr, the ridges of the Quiraing, the Fairy Pools and Neist Point lighthouse on its western tip. Portree is the island's small main town, with a coloured harbour and most of the shops. Dunvegan Castle and the Talisker distillery add history and whisky. The scenery is superb, but Skye is also overcrowded in summer: roads are single-track with passing places, car parks at the big sights fill by mid-morning, midges bite from late spring to early autumn, and rain can close the views for days. Book beds many months ahead for July and August. The Cuillin ridge is a serious scramble for experienced climbers only. Skye is not a beach holiday island despite its category.
Portree and the Trotternish, Cuillin and Duirinish peninsulas, on Scotland's west coast, reached by the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh, Portree, Scotland, United Kingdom
The island itself is always open and walking the landscape is FREE. Sights run to their own timetables. Dunvegan Castle is commonly open daily in the main season and shut for much of winter, Talisker distillery tours run most days but need booking and the distillery is closed on some days outside summer, and Portree shops often close on Sundays in small villages. The Mallaig to Armadale ferry runs several times a day in summer and fewer in winter, and may be cancelled in gales. Car parks at the Old Man of Storr and Fairy Pools are open all day but charge a fee. The castle interior, distillery tour and ferry are paid and CLOSED outside their hours. Confirm all times before you go.