Isle of Skye
According to National Geographic Magazine, the Isle of Skye is regarded as being the fourth ‘Best Island’ in the world, which considering the competition is quite a feat. The island is breathtaking in its beauty and the landscape is almost that of a fantasy world, so really it is little wonder that it has proved to be so popular. You will find beaches that are covered in soft sand and a wealth of beautiful coves and inlets that give a lacework appearance to the coastline of the island. The villages on the island remain small and unspoiled and the history that makes this ancient isle such an intriguing place is still very much alive.
The Great Outdoors
The landscape is both beautiful and challenging and whatever your outdoor passion you are sure to be able to indulge yourself while you are here. The mountains and their pinnacles and ridges are not for the faint hearted, and along the coastal walks you can either test your endurance or simply escape and free your mind for a while. Are you up to the endurance test of the Five Sisters of Kintail? There is a walk, ramble, trek or climb here to suit all levels of skill and endurance.
Around the coast you will discover some of the largest sea cliffs anywhere on the coast of the British Isles. Where better to get the ultimate view of the impressive cliffs that jut out on the water? Here you have the opportunity to go sailing or kayaking or you could chose to journey below the waves and enjoy some scuba diving action. Taking to the water is the only way to access some of the most incredible coves on the island. Cyclists love the island too, and the enthusiastic fisherman can test his skills in some of the fastest flowing rivers in the whole of Scotland.
Places to Visit
While here you will find plenty of opportunities to dip into the history of the Isle. Iconic Eilean Donan castle is a must see attraction. The castle is perched almost precariously atop a rock promontory in one of the most impressive locations on the whole of the island. The Museum of the Isles is situated at Armdale Castle, and there is plenty more to see in the grounds and gardens of Dunvegan Castle that promises to keep the whole family entertained.
Discover what life was like as a crofter on the Isle and see how much has changed in the life of a modern day crofter. Try your hand at living and working in the conditions that residents here once had to face. There are a number of studios and craft centres that are keeping the crafts of the crofting community alive and you can watch demonstrations of everything from leather tanning through to stone carving.
The children that visit with you will also have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs in the islands dinosaur museum which houses all of the finds that have been discovered on the island, and if the dinosaurs are not enough there is also the toy museum which they are sure to love.
