History of Isle of Skye

The largest of the inner isles, Skye, was known to the Vikings as "Sküyo" ("cloud island"), while in Gaelic it became known as "Eilean Sgiathanach" ("winged island") because of the irregular coastline. Thanks to the prevailing weather conditions it was also termed "Eilean a Cheo" ("misty island"). The attractions of Skye are its unspoiled natural environment, the wild, romantic mountain scenery and the green valleys, caves and attractive glens, magnificent waterfalls and sandy beaches. It measures about 50mi/80km in length and between 4 and 15mi/6.4-40km in width with many inlets reaching deep inland. To the south of the island lie the remains of primeval oak forests interspersed with birch, mountain ash, holly and hazel.The wildlife includes otters, seals, salmon and trout and well over 200 different species of birds such as red-throated divers, corncrake, solan geese and a few pairs of golden eagles.

Tourist Attractions in Isle of Skye

Armadale - Castle & Clan Donald Centre
Armadale at the south end of Skye is often a starting point for touring the island as ferries arrive here from the mainland port of Mallaig, but it can also be reached via the A851 from Broadford. The castle that was built between 1815 and 1819 by Gillespie Graham and the Clan Donald Centre are well worth a visit. A museum illustrates thrilling tales of the "Lords of the Isles" who during the 15th century dominated the region between the Outer Hebrides, the northern coast of Antrim in what is now Northern Ireland and Easter Ross. An attractive garden is laid out in the castle grounds.

Broadford
Broadford (pop. 1,250) 8mi/12.8km to the west of Kyleakin is the second-largest settlement on the Isle of Skye and a good base for tours.

Dunvegan Castle
Dunvegan (pop. 250) lies by the loch of the same name to the west of the Isle of Skye. It is noted mainly for its castle, one of the last inhabited seats of a Scottish clan, namely the MacLeods, who for centuries fought bloody battles against the MacDonalds of Armadale for supremacy of the island. The original building dates from the 13th century, but the keep was added in the 14th century and the Fairy Tower at the southeast corner of the rock was built ca. 1500. Norman, the 23rd clan chief, converted the building into a comfortable Victorian-style residence in the 19th century. Legends about fairies and crusaders surround the Fairy Flag (Am Bratach Sith), a piece of silk that originated in Rhodes or Syria and is said to date from between the fourth and seventh century. This ancient banner became a talisman for the MacLeods in battle and, according to legend, twice saved the clan from disaster. Of special interest in the castle are the family portraits which include work by Ramsay and Raeburn, letters from Sir Walter Scott and Dr Samuel Johnson who stopped off here on his Hebridean journey with companion James Boswell in 1773, an exhibition about the music and poetry of the MacCrimmons, old bagpipes, works by the Gaelic poetess MacLeod of Rodel (d. 1710) and the harp-playing bard Ruaraidh Dall Morrison.

Piping Centre
The first school for pipers is said to have been founded ca. 1500 by the MacCrimmons, the legendary pipers for the MacLeod clan in Boreraig, and to have survived until 1800. Opposite the ruins of the old piping school, the Skye Piping Centre traces the history of the bagpipe and the traditions of the old clans right up to the present day.

Canna / Volcanic Island
The small volcanic island of Canna probably ranks as the prettiest out of the small islands south of Skye. Compass Hill in the northeast was regarded with suspicion by mariners as the high iron content in the rock distorted compass readings and ships unwittingly took a wrong course.

Balmacara Estate and Lochalsh Woodland Garden
The Balmacara Estate is a crofting estate of 5,616 acres, located in Lochalsh. From the estate visitors are offered outstanding views of Skye and Applecross.The Lochalsh Woodland Garden offers sheltered walks amidst mature Scots pine, oaks and beeches and developing flowers and ferns, along the shores of Loch Alsh.

Isle of Skye - Museum of Island Life
 The A855 cuts off the northern tip of the Trotternish Peninsula before reaching the seven cottages which make up the Skye Museum of Island Life. The thatched huts give an insight into the rural life of crofters in the mid-19th century.

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