Skip to Navigation Skip to Main Content
Back to Navigation
Skye and Lochalsh
Skye and Lochalsh

Skye and Lochalsh

An ideal holiday destination on the West Coast offering stunning scenery, beautiful coastline, places of interest and things to see and do nearby. A great location for outdoor activities with the spectacular rocky mountain range of the Cuillin Hills.

Search





 

Skye is the most northerly and largest of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland covering some 1,656 km2 (639 square miles), and the second largest island in Scotland after Lewis with Harris. The island is 50 miles long with hundreds of miles of coastline.

Marys Cottages, Isle of Skye

The Gaelic name for the island is An t-Eilean Sgitheanach meaning ‘winged isle’ because of its shape. Perhaps more apt is the Norse name which means ‘isle of the mist’ or ‘misty isle’.

Skye is a magical island, with a diversity of landscapes that is quite remarkable for such a relatively small area. It is hardly surprising it is the haunt of geologists, photographers, mountaineers, walkers, canoeists, the list goes on. Skye is quite simply a wonderful place for anyone who wants to escape from it all. But it is not just the landscape that makes Skye so special, it is steeped in history, very often violent history. It has a legacy of clan warfare, and deeper into history the Vikings settled on Skye, further back still the remains of ancient fortresses can still be sound such as at Dunringil just off the road to Elgol.

Featured video: by Achachleat Holiday Cottage, Elgol, Isle of Skye 

Skye is linked to the mainland by the Skye bridge, which opened in 1995. However, it is still possible to travel to Skye by ferry, the main one being from Mallaig on the mainland to Armadale on the Sleat peninsula of Skye. A small ferry also runs the short from Glenelg on the mainland to Kylerhea, and for those wishing to take an ‘off the beaten track’ scenic route although it should be noted that this does not operate through the winter months.

Island hopping can be achieved by reaching the Outer Hebrides from the north end of Skye a ferry runs from Uig to Tarbert on Harris, and Lochmaddy in North Uist. There is also a ferry which runs from Sconser on the eastern side of Skye to the island of Raasay.

Isle of Skye Landscape:
 
The crowning glory of Skye are the Cuillin, a stunning and dramatic group of mountains providing some of the most challenging terrain in the United Kingdom for walkers and climbers. There are two Cuillin ranges; the Red Cuillin and the Black Cuillin. The Red Cuillin get their name from the redish tinge in the granite.
 
The Red Cuillin are lower, less rocky, have fewer scrambles or climbs, but are still superb for hill walkers. Despite being overshadowed by the mighty Black Cuillin to the west, the views from the Red Cuillin are quite outstanding, not just of the Black Cuillin, but there is a fantastic panorama to the east of the mainland mountains, some 60 miles of mountain skyline.
 
The more rugged and higher of the ranges is the Black Cuillin made up of basalt and gabbro, the latter being a very dark rock, giving rise to the ‘black’, and provide outstanding friction and grip making it ideal for mountaineers. The Black Cuillin are quite outstanding mountains in terms of their rugged beauty, and their geographical proximity to the sea makes for some stunning atmospheric effects as the air rises off the Atlantic straight up the very steep mountain sides that rise straight from the waves to 993 metres (3,257 feet) in attitude.

Some of our favourite escapes...

  • Holiday Apartment in The Highlands, Scotland
    Taighali Apartment Self Catering Wester Ross Scottish Highlands

    Holiday Apartment in Aultbea, The Highlands, Scotland

    It is a one bedroom first floor apartment suitable for a couple, with views across Loch Ewe and the Torridon mountains. Situated about 200 yards from a sandy beach so come and see ...

    Pet & Dog Friendly Online Payment Accepted  

    £ 450.00 - £ 530.00 per week

  • Holiday Cottage in The Highlands, Scotland
    Vindolanda Self Catering Holiday Cottage Scottish Highlands

    Holiday Cottage in Applecross, The Highlands, Scotland

    Poised on a hill overlooking Loch Torridon, and the Torridon Mountains, this delightful family cottage provides cosy self catering accommodation for 4 and immediate access to a saf...

    Family Friendly Online Payment Accepted  

    £ 635.00 - £ 795.00 per week

  • Holiday Cottage in The Highlands, Scotland
    Applecross Manse

    Holiday Cottage in Applecross, The Highlands, Scotland

    Applecross Manse is a listed Victorian villa set in 5 leafy acres on an elevated position over-looking Camusterrach Bay with views to the Cullen of Skye and to the Inner Isles.

    Family Friendly Online Payment Accepted  

    £ 1,255.00 - £ 2,005.00 per week

  • Holiday Cottage in The Highlands, Scotland
    Fearnmore Church Applecross

    Holiday Cottage in Applecross, The Highlands, Scotland

    A unique romantic hideaway on the spectacular Applecross Peninsula, set in 12 acres which extend to the sea with expansive views from it to the towering Torridon Mountains. An...

    Online Payment Accepted  

    £ 645.00 - £ 865.00 per week

  • Campsite in The Highlands, Scotland
    Aultbea Caravans Loch Ewe Scottish Highlands

    Campsite in Aultbea, The Highlands, Scotland

    Two self catering caravans, one six berth and one 5 berth, situated on private crofts overlooking Loch Ewe in Aultbea Ross-shire, North West Scottish Highlands.Both caravans have o...

    Pet & Dog Friendly Family Friendly Online Payment Accepted  

    £ 380.00 - £ 430.00 per week

  • Loch, Lake, Waterfall in The Highlands, Scotland
    Misty Isle Boat Trips on the Isle of Skye

    Loch, Lake, Waterfall in Elgol Isle of Skye, The Highlands, Scotland

    Sail into the most spectacular mountain and seascape in Britain. See the wildlife and scenery of the Isle of Skye including the Cuillin mountains with your local guide from Elgol.

    Lochs Lakes and Waterfalls, Tours and Trips, Childrens Attractions, Boat Trips, Guided Tours and Day Trips

  • Tour and Trip in The Highlands, Scotland
    Misty Isle Tours Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands

    Tour and Trip in Kyle of Lochalsh, The Highlands, Scotland

    At Skye Luxury Tours each tour is carefully planned ad customised to show you the best scenery... But it’s the features beyond that which make each tour special as we give you uniq...

    Tours and Trips, Taxi Services, Guided Tours and Day Trips, Car Hire, Group Travel

  • Stately Homes in Edinburgh Region, Scotland
    Scotland Golf and Scenic Tours

    Stately Homes in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Region, Scotland

    Based in Edinburgh, we have been arranging Golf and Scenic tours for the last 11 years. We use our extensive knowledge of Scotland and Scottish golf to arrange highly tailored and ...

    Historic Buildings and Monuments, Lochs Lakes and Waterfalls, Tours and Trips, Golf, Guided Tours and Day Trips

  • Cafe, Coffee Shop or Tea Room in The Highlands, Scotland
    Sammys Fish and Chip Shop Fort William

    Cafe, Coffee Shop or Tea Room in Fort William, The Highlands, Scotland

    We take great care in sourcing only the finest local and seasonal produce and you can rest assured that our fish is of the finest quality available, and is only sourced from sustai...

    Cafes Coffee Shops and Tearooms, Restaurants

  • Loch, Lake, Waterfall in The Highlands, Scotland
    Seaprobe Atlantis Wildlife Cruises Kyle of Lochalsh

    Loch, Lake, Waterfall in Kyle of Lochalsh, The Highlands, Scotland

    Scotland's only 4 star semi-submersible glass bottom boat offers an experience no other boat can match. Enjoy all the scenery and wildlife above and below the waves as you cruise i...

    Lochs Lakes and Waterfalls, Aquariums, Sailing and Watersports, Boat Trips, Guided Tours and Day Trips

  • Late Availability Special Offer - The Old Croft House Self Catering Sleat Isle of Skye
    Late Availability Special Offer - The Old Croft House Self Catering Sleat Isle of Skye

    The Old Croft House Self Catering Sleat Isle of Skye

    The Highlands, Scotland

    Last minute availability at The Old Croft House for 9-16 March - now reduced to only £550 for the week! The Old Croft House is the perfect holiday cottage to use as your base to e...

    Last Minute Deal expires 22 Mar 2024

  • Summer short break launch offer  for Coillabus Eco Luxury Lodges Islay Scottis Hebrides
    Summer short break launch offer for Coillabus Eco Luxury Lodges Islay Scottis Hebrides

    Coillabus Eco Luxury Lodges Islay Scottish Hebrides

    Argyll and Bute, Scotland

    To celebrate the launch of our all year short break availability with flexible start days we’re offering an extra night on all 4 night min stays in March and April ( if available) ...

    Last Minute Deal expires 16 Apr 2024

Back to Navigation Back to Main Content Back to Top Back to Top