[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Skye & Lochalsh Front cover: Elgol, Loch Scavaig, Isle of Skye This page: Plockton, Loch Carron The turbulent history and majestic scenery of Skye and Lochalsh have combined to fashion one of Scotland’s most tangibly romantic destinations. From the delightfully situated Eilean Donan Castle and the picture-postcard village of Plockton to the soaring craggy heights of the Cuillin and the eerie pinnacles of Trotternish, the area is sure to leave an imprint on your heart. welcome BASE YOURSELF IN LOCATION MAP Duntulm Flodigarry Broadford Plockton Portree DON’T MISS £ Paid Entry Seasonal Disabled Access Dogs Allowed Tea-Room Gift Shop WC To find out more about accommodation in these areas, call 0845 22 55 121 or click on visitscotland.com Borreraig Edinbane IDEAL FOR Orbost Romance Sunsets Walking 1. One of the most picturesque – and most photographed – castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle sits in Loch Duich, beside the tiny village of Dornie. Stroll across the causeway that links it to the shore and explore it for yourself. For a panoramic view, follow the path from the village which leads up to the Carr Brae viewpoint. 2. On the Isle of Skye, you’ll never be far from a breathtaking view of the Cuillin Mountains, the most spectacular mountain chain in the UK. The jagged main Cuillin ridge, or Black Cuillin, sits side by side with the gentler, conical Red Hills to the south. Whether you walk one of the gentler routes or whether you’re an experienced climber, the Cuillin makes a truly memorable experience. 3. On the edge of a sheltered bay on Loch Carron lies the beautiful community of Plockton. You’ll undoubtedly feel that you’ve arrived in the Highlands when you see the local cattle happily roaming the streets. As a designated National Trust for Scotland conservation village, tranquillity and peace are the very essence of Plockton. Fans of ’90s TV series Hamish Macbeth will recognise the community as the fictional Lochdubh. (NTS) 4. The Three Chimneys Restaurant is known far and wide as one of the most romantic eateries in the land. The candlelit crofter’s cottage on the shores of Loch Dunvegan, voted 28th in the Restaurant Magazine’s ‘definitive list’ of the World’s Top 50 Restaurants, is an idyllic setting for a proposal, a honeymoon or any special occasion. Book ahead to ensure your table. 5. Take a boat trip from Elgol (B8083 from Broadford) to isolated and awe-inspiring Loch Coruisk. You will get up close to Britain’s most dramatic landscapes, while your local guide will make sure you don’t miss out on seeing the local wildlife – including the famous seal colony on the banks of the loch. £ HOW TO GET TO SKYE Most visitors now travel to Skye via the toll-free road bridge which opened in 1995. However, it’s still possible to travel by car ferry from Mallaig with Caledonian MacBrayne. The service runs throughout the year, with up to nine trips departing during summer and two departing from Monday to Friday during winter. CalMac services also link Uig in the north of Skye with Tarbert in Harris and Lochmaddy in North Uist. Call 08705 650000 for more information. A small, independently-run ferry service operates between Glenelg on the mainland and Kylerhea in the south of Skye between Easter and October. Call 01599 511302 to find out more. Principal photography © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint All information checked in August 2005. VisitScotland can accept no responsibility for errors. £ £ FCS: Forestry Commission Scotland NTS: National Trust for Scotland HS: Historic Scotland ESSENCE OF SCOTLAND HISTORY & HERITAGE GOLF WALKS FOOD & DRINK 6. Dunvegan Castle (follow A850 from Portree), Any visit to this enchanted Isle must be deemed incomplete without savouring the wealth of history offered by Dunvegan Castle & Gardens. Set in the stunning scenery of the Isle of Skye, Dunvegan is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years. Originally designed to keep people out, it was first opened to visitors in 1933 and has become one of Skye's most famous landmarks. Over time, we have given a warm Highland welcome to visitors including Sir Walter Scott, Dr Johnson, Queen Elizabeth II and the Japanese Emperor Akihito and we now look forward to welcoming you. For more information, please visit www.dunvegancastle.com 10. The Isle of Skye Golf Course at Sconser (A87 between Broadford and Portree) is a 9-hole course with views towards the Red Cuillin, the Isle of Raasay and Ben Tianavaig. For more information and to arrange tee times (advisable at weekends), call 01476 650414. This line may not always be manned. 12. Balmacara forest is 5 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh on the slopes above Reraig. From the A87, take the unclassified road to Balmacara Square. Follow either the red or the blue path through woodland and then open ground with amazing views towards Skye and the Sound of Sleat. (NTS) 15. Take the A855 north of Portree. From Brogaig near Staffin take the single track road for Uig. Walk along the tracks at the base of the cliffs to see one of the most astounding geological formations on Skye, the eerie Quiraing. The path continues until you reach the base of the tallest of the formations, known as the Needle. An adjacent formation known as the Table once played host to shinty (or ‘Highland hockey’) matches. Allow a couple of hours to explore. 17. Lady Claire Macdonald’s Kinloch Lodge Hotel in Sleat on the Isle of Skye is famed for its wonderful food. Lady Claire, a renowned cookery writer, likes to impart her culinary wisdom by inviting guests to cooking demonstrations. 18 £ 13. On Raasay, follow the road to Inverarish, heading straight through the village and turning left and immediately right. Where better to go than Temptation Hill for a beautiful walk with views to Skye and the Cuillin Hills and the rhododendron bordered Loch a’ Mhuilinn. It should take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. (FCS) £ 15 Eilean Donan Castle 7. Armadale Castle Gardens and Museum of the Isles are found on the Sleat Peninsula, Skye’s southernmost point. This area is known as the Garden of Skye due to its fertile and sheltered location. The forty acre woodland garden makes for a very peaceful and gentle stroll. 11. Skeabost Golf Course is part of the Skeabost Country House Hotel in Skye, off the A850 Portree to Dunvegan road. A parkland 9-hole course, it was constructed on the site of a feud between the clans MacLeod and MacDonald. Tee times can be booked through Skeabost Country House. Tel: 01470 532202 £ 18. The Great Taste of Skye and Lochalsh Festival is held in late June in Broadford. Spread over two nights it showcases some of the best produce from Skye and Lochalsh. Top chefs are invited to cook local produce while encouraging visitors to enjoy more of the fantastic fresh produce from the island. 19. On the B8009 at Carbost, the Talisker Distillery tells the history of local whisky-making and its role in the community. Its individual flavour can be attributed to its unique location and is said to be a combination of the Islay and Speyside malts. THE ROMANCE OF SKYE & LOCHALSH £ 8. Approximately 8 miles south-east of Kyle of Lochalsh, as the crow flies the Glenelg Brochs are two Iron Age towers standing 10 metres tall – Dun Telve and Dun Troddan. (HS) 14 This area is renowned as a place of unsurpassed mystery and romance, thanks to its combination of majestic scenery and tumultuous history. Few are left unmoved by the story of Flora MacDonald smuggling the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie, over the water from South Uist under cover of darkness to escape Hanoverian forces. This was the inspiration for The Skye Boat Song , one of hundreds of evocative tunes you may hear in local hostelries and concert venues throughout your stay. Said to be one of the great railway journeys of the world, take the West Highland Line over the remarkable Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig, from where the ferry sets sail to Skye, and relive a bygone era of romance. 9. The Skye Museum of Island Life in Kilmuir (A855 north of Uig) comprises a group of seven thatched-roof cottages depicting past life on Skye, including items used by Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora Macdonald. £ 14. For a longer and more challenging walk, drive 6 miles north from Portree on the A855, where you will find a car park. A path leads through woodland onto a steep climb to an area of geological formations. There are then a number of paths which can be followed to the base of the Old Man of Storr. Along the way, you can enjoy good views across the Sound of Raasay. This should take in excess of 3 hours. 16. Drive west from Sligachan on A863, then take B8009 and follow to Merkadale, then turn left onto Glenbrittle road. Start at the foot of Glen Brittle and climb to the small loch nestling below the cliffs of Corrie Lagan. Then return along the same route before taking the path branching off to descend via the waterfall Eas Mor. For those wishing to avoid the climbing and scrambling associated with the Cuillin, this route is a fantastic introduction. Allow 5 hours. 9 11 £ 20. The Plockton Hotel does its fine surroundings justice. Imagine opening your curtains to look out over Loch Carron and the Applecross hills. Then, after a good day’s walking, coming home to a plate of delicious fresh seafood. Dunvegan on Skye is home to the Giant Angus MacAskill Museum, celebrating the tallest ever Scotsman, who hit the dizzy heights of 7 feet 9 inches. Skye and Lochalsh 23 OUTSTANDING VIEWS 21. Cuillin Views There are many classic views of the Cuillin ridge. However, for sheer drama, few views in all of Scotland compare with the sight of Sgurr Nan Gillean rearing up behind Sligachan bridge, or the full mountain range rising almost sheer from Loch Scavaig, opposite the tiny village of Elgol, west of Broadford. 22. Wester Ross from Storr Quite apart from the rock formations at Storr, it’s worth the hike for the views of the western seaboard. The mountains and sea lochs of Wester Ross are perhaps more reminiscent of Norway than of Scotland. 23. Five Sisters of Kintail from Ratagan Pass Take the Glenelg road from Shiel Bridge on the A87. As you rise up towards Mam Ratagan, about a mile along, take a look back over Loch Duich, framed by the majestic peaks of Kintail. Simply stunning. Skye remains a hotbed of traditional Gaelic culture. The language has experienced a revival in recent years as a result of a progressive media and Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the celebrated Gaelic college on the Sleat peninsula. 24. Carr Brae viewpoint From the Dornie road – a little further along the A87 in the direction of Kyle – a small road is signposted as the Carr Brae viewpoint. From here, the spectacle encompasses Loch Duich to the south-east and the celebrated Eilean Donan Castle, commanding its surroundings to the immediate west. Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel, en route to Skye Mam Ratagan Pass to Five Sisters of Kintail 6 [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |