My guide to the Isle of Skye

Updates

1 Mar

Written By Heather McDermott

Visiting Skye in 2022?
I always have people asking for tips and recommendations for visiting my island home, the Isle of Skye, and I thought for anyone heading north this year, here is a wee guide to some of my favourite places on the Misty Isle.

Firstly some tips:

Book your accommodation far in advance! Skye has become an incredibly popular destination and the provision for accommodation has also increased however give yourself time to book places.

Give yourself time - This is both for travelling and exploring. Skye is the second largest Island on the west coast with lots of nooks and crannies to explore, give yourself enough time to have a couple of wet days as the weather can be unreliable! There are lots of single track roads in the highlands which need a slower pace of travel especially in the busier months starting from March. SO give yourself plenty of time to travel.

Have a car - The best way to get to those hidden gems is with a car. Public transport on Skye is not the best but I would definitely recommend getting the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, one of the best ways to cross to the island.

Pack a variety of clothing - One thing Skye is really good for is its changeable weather. Unless there is a chance of 100% sunshine, pack a hat, good sturdy footwear that can get wet, every type of clothing including a pair of shorts! (as you can see below)

Recommendations:

Skye has gone through a massive change in the past 10 years, attracting thousands of people to its wild and beautiful landscape. The provision for visitors is the best it’s ever been in terms of world class food, unique accommodation and independent shops and makers dotted across the island.

Here are some of my favourite places to visit, eat and stay.

Beaches:

Talisker Beach - If you are heading to Talisker distillery or the famous Oyster shed in Carbost you HAVE to make a stop at the beautiful Talisker beach. Anyone heading this way always goes to the Fairy pools, which yes are lovely, but are overcrowded and I personally think there are better places on Skye to visit. Talisker beach is a short walk from where you park, which is limited so head early, and when the tide is out reveals white and black sand. So so beautiful!

Camasunary - Another peninsula to visit is to Elgol - a winding single track road weaves you round the red Cuillin and onto the wee township of Elgol which has one of the best views of the black Cuillin. Before you head over the brae there is a 9km round walk to Camasunary to add in. Up and over a hill and down the other side will take you to another glorious sandy beach. You can actually get a boat into Loch Coruisk and walk out however if you are looking for a day beside the beach, swimming in the clear waters and generally enjoying the magnificent views just go for the beach.

Camas Daraich - This beach is my personal favourite as it’s a 2 mile walk from where I grew up in Aird. Hidden in the depths of the south of Skye this walk and beach is a hidden paradise. When the tide is out the waters are so clear and perfect for swimming in the enclosed bay. I have been to this beach countless times, been proposed to on this beach and spent many happy memories with my dogs on this beach. Well worth a visit and on your way back to the car stop in at my parents’ Gallery and where my jewellery career all started at Aird Old Church Gallery. Again parking is limited but with our long summer days, its a lovely place to spend an evening!

Coral Beach - This is a popular beach which is publicised widely but a beautiful one all the same. North of the island and down a single track road from Dunvegan this beach is one of a few real coral beaches on the west coast. Seals are routinely spotted bobbing about in the inlet and when the tide is low you can easily walk in the sea to a nearby island. If you are heading here, the parking is limited so go early!

Landmarks:

Neist Point - This may be the most photographed lighthouse on Skye if not in Scotland, but I would still recommend for a visit. Situated on a curving cliff Neist post looks straight out to the outer Hebrides. My brother has been fishing from the rocks and basking sharks have swum past. You really feel on the edge of the world here.

Quiraing and Trotternish Ridge - Again this hairpin bend road is used so often for films, photoshoots, weddings etc etc and becomes incredibly busy in the summer however when the bracken is out and the hills are lime green it is a spectacular place to blow the cobwebs away.

Sligachan and the road to Dunvegan - If you are heading up the west side of the Island I think this is one of my favourite drives. The landscape changes so much from the leafy south of the island. Here it becomes barren with cliffs, small sea lochs with small townships hugging the road that weaves up the island and flat open spaces.

The Glenelg Ferry - This is technically a way you can leave Skye on one of the last turntable ferries. Crossing the narrow point between Kylerea and Glenelg, the ferry uses the strong current to reach the other side. Many seals, birds and sometimes the Sea Eagle can be seen on this crossing!

These are just some of my favourites but there are SO many more places to see on Skye. Whether its raining or glorious sunshine, it is a really magical place to explore and find your own wee hidden oasis.

Places to eat, sleep and shop!

Places to Stay:

The Crofters House - Braes - a beautifully converted crofters cottage in a really great location North of the island.

Kinloch Lodge - Sleat - situated on a wee sea loch this beautiful hotel is the perfect combination of highland charm and luxury. The food here is really great as well.

Edinbane Lodge - Edinbane - Run by a local couple who I went to school with, the food is fantastic and definitely worth a visit.

Skye Lair - Sleat - There is a huge pool of self catering houses to choose from on Skye but this is a particularly lovely one situated in the southern peninsula. Perfect for watching the weather and enjoying some down time.

Coruisk House - Elgol - Elgol is one of my favourite places - with the most amazing views to the Cuillin, its wild beauty is breathtaking. Coruisk House also do great food!

Places to Eat:

Skye has become a world class place to come and eat, with the abundance of seafood, game and wild foraged ingredients it’s a great place for a foodie. Just some of the places…also if you are on the hunt for a good coffee…

Deli Gasta - Situated in Broadford, great coffee!

The Oyster Shed - This has become more and more popular over the years! A local fisherman has cut out the middle man and serves fresh seafood (mainly with chips) from Loch Harport.

The Three Chimneys - World famous and you’ll be served by my brother! It’s in one of the most spectacular positions and well worth the single track road!

Cafe Lephin - Looking for a spot of lunch, this lovely cafe is on the way to Neist point.

Cafe Cuil - A new addition to Skye and has been a pop-up at Sligachan Hotel - well worth a visit

Edinbane Lodge - As mentioned above

The Single Track - Positioned in the far north east, a gem of a place - really great coffee!

Birch - Portree - Great coffee and perfect lunch spot in the heart of Portree.

Loch Bay - Amazing Michelin starred restaurant in Stein, north of the island

Makers and Shops…

Skye weavers - a pedal powered loom in a shed in Glendale creating beautiful woven fabrics - what more could you want!?

Or Shop - Portree - stocking some beautiful independent makers from across the UK and have been a stockist of mine since they opened in 2016.

Patricia Shone - Beautiful ceramics based in the the sound end of the island as well as…

Maggie Zerafa at Bay Pottery - Beautiful pottery situated near Armadale pier.

Aird Old Church Gallery - my parents gallery situated at the very end of the road in Aird, Sleat who also sell my jewellery

Skyeskyns - handcrafted sheep skins with an award winning visitor centre in the north of the island.

Liz Myhill, Dandelion Designs - Situated in Stein a lovely selection of artists in particular Liz Myhill.

How to split the Island…here’s a quick round-up of some of the things you can find in each corner of Skye…

PINK - SOUTH - SLEAT, KYLEAKIN, BROADFORD, KYLEREA

GREEN - SOUTH WEST - ELGOL, TORRIN

TURQUOISE - MIDDLE - CARBOST, SLIGACHEN

ORANGE - NORTH-WEST - DUNVEGAN, GLENDALE, EDINBANE, STEIN

RED - NORTH-EAST - PORTREE, STAFFIN, TROTTERNISH RIDGE, UIG

SOUTH - SLEAT - KYLERHEA

To stay:

Kinloch Hotel

Skye Lair

Eilean Iarmain Hotel

Hebridean Inn (food is great as well)

To see and shop:

Torabhaig Distillery

Handspinner Having Fun

Floraidh

Aird Old Church Gallery

Patricia Shone

Ragamuffin (clothing shop)

Ord Loop road

Walk to the point of Sleat (Camus Daraich)

Walk to Dunscaith Castle

Armadale Castle and Gardens

Ferry to Glenelg

To eat

Kinloch Hotel

Eilean Iarmain Hotel

An Crubh

Deli Gasta

Lean to Coffee

SOUTH WEST - ELGOL

To stay:

Coruisk House

To do:

Walk to Suisinish

Walk to Camasunary

Boat trip to Loch Coruisk

To eat:

Coruisk House

Amy’s Place Tearoom

MIDDLE -

CARBOST - SLIGACHAN

To stay:

Sligachan Hotel

Carbost Inn

To see and shop:

Talisker beach

Famous bridge at Sligachan

Talisker distillery

Fairy Pools (go early as it gets really busy)

Glenbrittle beach

Sgurr Alistair and Coire Lagan

To eat:

Oyster shed

Sligachan Hotel

Cafe Cuil

Caora Dubh (great coffee)

Carbost inn

NORTH WEST - STRUAN - EDINBANE

To stay:

The Three Chimneys

Hazeldean

Hillstone Lodge

To see and shop

Skye Weavers

Dunvegan Castle

Coral Beach

Neist Point (go early as it gets really busy)

Diana Mackie Artist

Orbost Beach

Skyeskyns

Dandelion Designs

To eat:

Cafe Lephin

The Three Chimneys

Loch Bay

Stein Inn

The Old Schoolhouse

Jans Bakery

Edinbane Lodge

Edinbane Inn

NORTH EAST AND PORTREE

To stay:

Boswell Hotel

Greshornish House

Monkstadt 1745

Stones B & B

The Crofters house

To see and shop

Staffin beach and the dinosaur footprints

Old Man of Storr (go early as it gets really busy)

The Quairaing (go early as it gets really busy)

Kilt Rock

Rubha Huinish

Trotternish ridge

Uig Bay

Uig pottery

OR shop - Portree

ACE adventure (target sports)

Portree Pier

To Eat

Scorrybreac

Dulse and Brose

Birch (great coffee)

Single Track (baking and coffee)

The Cowshed

My guide to the Isle of Skye

Visiting Skye in 2022?
I always have people asking for tips and recommendations for visiting my island home, the Isle of Skye, and I thought for anyone heading north this year, here is a wee guide to some of my favourite places on the Misty Isle.

Firstly some tips:

Book your accommodation far in advance! Skye has become an incredibly popular destination and the provision for accommodation has also increased however give yourself time to book places.

Have a car - The best way to get to those hidden gems is with a car. Public transport on Skye is not the best but I would definitely recommend getting the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, one of the best ways to cross to the island.

Pack a variety of clothing - One thing Skye is really good for is its changeable weather. Unless there is a chance of 100% sunshine, pack a hat, good sturdy footwear that can get wet, every type of clothing including a pair of shorts! (as you can see below)

Recommendations:

Skye has gone through a massive change in the past 10 years, attracting thousands of people to its wild and beautiful landscape. The provision for visitors is the best it’s ever been in terms of world class food, unique accommodation and independent shops and makers dotted across the island.

Here are some of my favourite places to visit, eat and stay.

Beaches:

Places to eat, sleep and shop!

Places to Stay:

Places to Eat:

Skye has become a world class place to come and eat, with the abundance of seafood, game and wild foraged ingredients it’s a great place for a foodie. Just some of the places…also if you are on the hunt for a good coffee…

Makers and Shops…

How to split the Island…here’s a quick round-up of some of the things you can find in each corner of Skye…

Would you like 10% off your first purchase?

Heather
McDermott
Jewellery

My guide to the Isle of Skye

Visiting Skye in 2022? I always have people asking for tips and recommendations for visiting my island home, the Isle of Skye, and I thought for anyone heading north this year, here is a wee guide to some of my favourite places on the Misty Isle.

Firstly some tips:

Book your accommodation far in advance! Skye has become an incredibly popular destination and the provision for accommodation has also increased however give yourself time to book places.

Have a car - The best way to get to those hidden gems is with a car. Public transport on Skye is not the best but I would definitely recommend getting the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, one of the best ways to cross to the island.

Pack a variety of clothing - One thing Skye is really good for is its changeable weather. Unless there is a chance of 100% sunshine, pack a hat, good sturdy footwear that can get wet, every type of clothing including a pair of shorts! (as you can see below)

Recommendations:

Skye has gone through a massive change in the past 10 years, attracting thousands of people to its wild and beautiful landscape. The provision for visitors is the best it’s ever been in terms of world class food, unique accommodation and independent shops and makers dotted across the island.

Here are some of my favourite places to visit, eat and stay.

Beaches:

Places to eat, sleep and shop!

Places to Stay:

Places to Eat:

Skye has become a world class place to come and eat, with the abundance of seafood, game and wild foraged ingredients it’s a great place for a foodie. Just some of the places…also if you are on the hunt for a good coffee…

Makers and Shops…

How to split the Island…here’s a quick round-up of some of the things you can find in each corner of Skye…

Spring edit

Bespoke Wedding Rings

Would you like 10% off your first purchase?

HeatherMcDermottJewellery

Visiting Skye in 2022?
I always have people asking for tips and recommendations for visiting my island home, the Isle of Skye, and I thought for anyone heading north this year, here is a wee guide to some of my favourite places on the Misty Isle.

Heather
McDermott
Jewellery