5 Days Walking in Skye (+ a few in October)
 

As a regular visitor to the wonderful Isle of Skye, I thought I'd post some recent experiences in case they are of interest to anyone planning a visit (or recalling a previous one.) Yes, Skye gets very busy in peak season but to me, it's always worth it.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0767252a65.jpg
Old Man of Storr
These were very quickly planned trips which we were luckily able to make given a family home on the island. In August, getting accommodation on Skye is nigh on impossible unless it’s booked a fair way in advance. In October, not so bad though the island feels quite busy all year round these days.

Our objective (myself, husband in our late 60s and oldest adult son) was to do some enjoyable walks, ticking off some of Skye’s most famous ones given we hadn’t enjoyed several of them for a few years.Big improvements re parking at them too, albeit you pay now for the privilege.Much better all round though.

Our weather was a bit overcast in August, though largely dry apart from one fairly dreich day when we did a hike up to a famous lochan below the Black Cuillin (it was still magnificent in a brooding, intimidating sort of way!)

We are fairly fit for our age and do regular hiking and hill walking. My son walks at an incredible pace so we mostly let him power on! He's also a big whisky fan and wanted to visit Talisker too.

This was our plan:

August Itinerary: Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Oronsay Tidal Island, Talisker Distillery, Neist Point, Coire Lagan, Camasunary Bay. Seeing the Jacobite Steam Train going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

October(just my husband and myself) : Glen Sligachan walk, Glen Brittle and the Loch Coruisk boat trip

Day 1: Travelling to Skye

From Glasgow, we had a 5.5 hr or so journey to the family house which sits north of Portree. To cut the road mileage, we decided to go via the Mallaig – Armadale ferry and I booked a late afternoon sailing about a week out. This route takes the same time as going via Glen Shiel and the Skye Bridge and although not quite as dramatic as the latter, it’s still very lovely, getting us to the open sea more quickly. Plus, if it’s a sunny day (which it was), a stroll along the white sands of the Camusdarach beaches is an unbeatable stop and one I can’t resist.

We reached Fort William in about 2hrs 40 - a beautiful drive from Loch Lomond onwards – and stopped at the Larder Café within Highland Soaps, right beside the ruins of old Inverlochy Castle. This has become a firm favourite with a good menu and tasty food. Tomato and Basil soup with Cheese Scones for all of us! The café also has the best loos ever, plus a really beautiful shop and probably smells the nicest of any café I know given their gorgeous soap products.

We had another hour or so until the ferry, giving us plenty time to visit the beaches.They’re only a 5min detour along the B8008 at the lovely Silver Sands of Morar (these also make for a fine stroll.) The beach car park is tiny and fills up quickly but luckily, someone was leaving and we got their space.This gorgeous area was used in the film 'Local Hero' (for those that remember it!)

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...916daf730a.jpg
The white sands of Camusdarach

Spent 40 mins or so just exploring the various sandy coves and admiring the views to the Small Isles (Rum and Eigg.)


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7457140883.jpg
The Cuillin peeping up above south Skye


The Black Cuillin were peeping up above the peninsula of Sleat on Skye, known as the Garden of Skye as it’s relatively lush. A very under-rated part of the island and far less visited.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b253a08cfb.jpg
The 4th beach

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7f4d7f16b0.jpg
Rum and Eigg on the horizon

We were still too early for our sailing from Mallaig and decided to see if we could get on an earlier one so we pulled up into the standby queue.The CalMac chap (they are always so helpful and friendly) said the ferry was 'technically' full but fingers crossed; as we were No 1 on standby I knew we had a good chance of getting on but still...In fact, as is often the case, ourselves and about 4 other unbooked cars got on ok.Relief although it wouldn't have been too much of a hardship to stroll the small town itself.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7ce160f0c5.jpg
Mallaig

It was a truly beautiful sail with the wilds of remote Knoydart and Loch Hourn looking fantastic. Layer upon layer of mountains. Watched a school of dolphins on the hunt, jumping spectacularly.They are so quick, it's not easy to get a good shot! They are so much more common now than they ever used to be.Global warming perhaps, bringing more fish in? Not sure. Humpbacks are much more common too.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c3cd0997c6.jpg
Dolphin jumping


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...74d5359bd4.jpg
Knoydart from the ferry

From Armadale (a tiny place) it’s another 1 hr to the house but it's a very pretty area to arrive at on Skye. We were all ready now for a much needed tea stop at An Crubh. This is a local shop and cafe with panoramic windows overlooking the mainland mountains.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bf17d6aaad.jpg
View from the cafe

Sat in their outdoor terrace in the sunshine, happy to finally reach wonderful Skye!

I never tire of the same fantastic sights on that drive north to the house. A shot below of the Trotternish ridge , though not taken on this trip.It's a view I often pull in for, just to admire in the ever changing light.Our first destination tomorrow, the Old Man of Storr walk was up that way and below the highest cliffs in the photo.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9ae873d94.jpeg
North to the Trotternish ridge

The Black Cuillin were looking good at Sligachan too...Sgurr nan Gillean below.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d6e3810a8.jpeg
Black Cuillin

Picked up supplies in Portree’s Co-op and settled in for dinner at home – sautéed spicy chicken, broccoli and home-made potato salad. A very brief look at Portree harbour before we headed for home.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8caf0d262.jpeg
Portree harbour

TOMORROW : OLD MAN OF STORR AND QUIRAING HIKES