Skye Island

Old Jan 6th, 2017, 06:00 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Skye Island

We'll be in Skye Island for 2 nights at the end of May. We'll be driving there from Glasgow. We want to drive around and see the sites and enjoy the beautiful scenery. I'm looking for recommendations of for one place to stay for the 2 nights on Skye Island. From Skye Island we'll be driving to Inverness. Thanks!
yestravel is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 06:17 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,628
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Sligachan

For such a short visit it is the best located. The Isle of Skye is large and the driving is very slow. So Sligachan is good because it is sort of at the crossroads of all the routes to various parts.

A Lot of people recommend staying in Portree which can make sense because it is really the only town of any sort. And it is closest to the Trotternish Peninsula. But it is farther from other places you will want to see.
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 07:08 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And make sure to call it by its name: Isle of Skye. Terminology matters. The Subway in NYC is the local train system, in London it's the underground passages that enable you to cross busy intersections, in much of the USA a "Subway" is a sandwich chain.

You said "Skye Island" four times and the Scots don't call it that - might as well call Rhode Island "Isle of Rhode" or the DFW area the "Fort Worth Dallas Metroplex."
BigRuss is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 08:16 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'll be visiting the Island of Coney this summer and want to know which Sub of the Way I need to take.
dfourh is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 11:05 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks, janis for the suggestion for the ISLE OF SKYE. And thanks, Russ, for the lesson & I do know how important what you say is. I also know it's the Isle of Skye, but was rushing so not really thinking I guess. I was with my Scottish friend last night and she was correcting just about every pronunciation I made.--It's Glasgo (drop the "w") It's NewKEY etc etc etc.
yestravel is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 11:23 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,628
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
I just did it more subtly . . .

>> The Isle of Skye is large and . . .
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 11:35 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

Or Glesca (see Christopher Brookmyre) or Glezgo or Glesco depending upon accent strength. . .
BigRuss is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 11:40 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Much nicer, janisj. Thank you! And look at what spellcheck did to my Glasgow!
yestravel is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 12:59 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm really not ideological about slow travel or fast travel, but based on my experience of the Isle of Skye, I would suggest that if you want to get the best of the experience of it that you think less about driving around it than getting out of your car and taking some walks and hikes. If you really don't enjoy rough walking or hiking, and want to try to bomb around the island, then maybe you need to stay pretty much right in the center.

The island is really very beautiful almost everywhere you go, although the towns are more functional than charming destinations. So my recommendation, again, would be that you forego trying to see several different parts of the island and instead set out to enjoy one part of it.

I had a fair amount of time of Skye so I was able to see the northern and southern parts (and the middle and eastern & western coasts at a comfortable pace, with plenty of time for walks, usually twice a day. Were I going back (and I'd love to!), I think would head to the northern end, near the Trotternish, or to any part of the western coast, for the slightly wilder, less developed feel and the sunsets -- but I would suggest you do some detailed research to decide what spot appeals to you (if you like the idea of spending more time out of your car than in it).
frencharmoire is offline  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 01:25 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,628
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>>if you want to get the best of the experience of it that you think less about driving around it than getting out of your car and taking some walks and hikes. drive to various areas/footpaths/hiking trails.

Another thing to take into consideration is the weather. The weather is VERY unpredictable and it is never guaranteed. As I've posted previously, it was my third visit to Skye before I saw a darned thing. That third stay -- was oh so glorious!.
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 6th, 2017, 01:26 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
frencharmoire - Our plan is to do both -- some driving and some hiking/walking. "Bombing" around the island was never our plan. Of course we have done research -- how else would we pick, throw a dart? For me the usefulness of this board is the experiences and advice of other travellers. Research online or in books doesnt give you that. We all trael differently. For example I couldnt imagine doing a day trip from Porto to the Duoro Valley -- we spent days in the DV, but to each is own. Thanks for your suggestions.
yestravel is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2017, 09:38 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm bewildered by your reply, but will drop it.
frencharmoire is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2017, 12:35 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We ended up getting a B&B in Portree only because the place we wanted in Sligachan was booked and Portree had many more options for a family of four.
paulg is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2017, 12:58 PM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks, paulg-I'm really having a tough time trying to get a place to book. Everything is filled up or very expensive ~$300 a night. Do you recall the names of the places to which you refer?
yestravel is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2017, 01:17 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, we haven't had our trip yet (July 2017), so yes, everything is very fresh on my mind or in my email.

The Sligachan Hotel was booked and was 210lb/night (can't get the pound sign on my keyboard to work).

In Portree, we got the Drumorell B&B for 160lb/night in 2 rooms and also found accommodation at the Tigh Mo Chridh B&B for 140lb/night in 2 rooms.

Good luck!
paulg is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2017, 05:11 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,628
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
paulg: Just a hint - when you can't make a £ sign -- use GBP. Everyone will know what you mean. 160lb could cause - well . . . confusion
janisj is online now  
Old Jan 7th, 2017, 06:14 PM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks! Sligachan Hotel was also booked during our time. I'll look at the other 2.
yestravel is offline  
Old Jan 7th, 2017, 06:54 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Confusion is my middle name.
paulg is offline  
Old Jan 10th, 2017, 12:51 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,263
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 2 Posts
YT, we just booked two rooms at Cuillin Hills Hotel in Portree ...$233 a night including tax

maitaitom is offline  
Old Jan 10th, 2017, 01:27 PM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks, I had looked at that, also booked. I finally found a little cabin type place outside Portree. I dont know why everything was booked, I'm not even there on a weekend.
yestravel is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -