18 July 2018 Isle of Skye
Today we set off to explore the middle and north of Skye. Our journey takes us first to Sligachan where there is a another camp site that has views across the loch. However everyone stops here at this crossroads on the old road bridge to view the falls.
We take the road west from Sligachan leading towards Carbost and Portnalong where you can get marvellous views of the Cuillins. Just before these villages driving along a single track road on the flanks of the hills towards Glenbrittle you find the path to the famous Fairy Pools. The modest car park was full and today the road was packed with vehicles parked for over half a mile on the grass verges anywhere they could get a space. However before you turn the bend to drop over the hill to the car park is a cattle grid and there we found plenty of space to park albeit a longer and hilly walk to the footpath. it is quite a clim to get to the pools and the paths are uneven and worn due to the amount of footfall. Some intrepid youngsters were enjoying a shower under the falls and the deep pools. It is quite a fantastical place. You need to be fit and sure of your footing before you decide to explore the pools.
Not being alcohol drinkers we bypass the Talisker Distillery and had visited one in the past. We follow the road to Drynoch and then north to Dunvegan taking in the views on the way. Dunvegan Castle was the home of the chiefs of McLeod for almost 800 years. The harbour is pretty with small boats and yachts but no longer provides a ferry service. We then head east to Bernisdale and then north to Uig, which has a pier which had allowed the steamers to sail between Skye and other ports in the Western Isles. From Uig we head further north and stop to view Flora McDonald’s Monument a collection of traditional thatched blockhouses which showed how islanders used to live.
Nearby is the actual monument to Flora who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from his enemies.
Passing through Duntulm and Flodigarry and Staffen. We stop off to view Kilt Rock Waterfall a 200’ vertiginous falls into the sea, so called because they resemble the pleats of a kilt. There is a small car park and a coffee wagon for visitors. Our next main stop is the Old Man of Storr, a few miles north of Portree and is a huge pinnacle of rock standing in front of the Store Ridge which rises to 2,300’.
The story here is similar to that of Fairy Pools with lots of visitors wanting to see the rock. Again cars and coaches parked for half a mile along the road. The path again is steep and uneven and you can walk a long way to see this rock.
We then visit the main town of Portree which is bustling with tourists.
Looking for somewhere to park the motorhome seemed not to be until we spotted the long term car park and plenty of room with marked bays for motorhomes. A walk up the steps into the town we were soon climbing down more steps to view the picturesque colourful houses on the waterfront. The town has banks and ATM’s and a Coop store which was full to capacity when we went in for some supplies with the queue to pay half way round the store. The town has spectacular mountain sceneries but where hasn’t on Skye.
We enjoyed walking around this vibrant little town full of restaurants and gift shops. We head for our base at Broadford Camping Skye to a welcome haddock and chips from the local chippy and a well earned rest. we will carry happy memories of Skye, its ruggedness, mountains, scenery
Today we set off to explore the middle and north of Skye. Our journey takes us first to Sligachan where there is a another camp site that has views across the loch. However everyone stops here at this crossroads on the old road bridge to view the falls.
We take the road west from Sligachan leading towards Carbost and Portnalong where you can get marvellous views of the Cuillins. Just before these villages driving along a single track road on the flanks of the hills towards Glenbrittle you find the path to the famous Fairy Pools. The modest car park was full and today the road was packed with vehicles parked for over half a mile on the grass verges anywhere they could get a space. However before you turn the bend to drop over the hill to the car park is a cattle grid and there we found plenty of space to park albeit a longer and hilly walk to the footpath. it is quite a clim to get to the pools and the paths are uneven and worn due to the amount of footfall. Some intrepid youngsters were enjoying a shower under the falls and the deep pools. It is quite a fantastical place. You need to be fit and sure of your footing before you decide to explore the pools.
Not being alcohol drinkers we bypass the Talisker Distillery and had visited one in the past. We follow the road to Drynoch and then north to Dunvegan taking in the views on the way. Dunvegan Castle was the home of the chiefs of McLeod for almost 800 years. The harbour is pretty with small boats and yachts but no longer provides a ferry service. We then head east to Bernisdale and then north to Uig, which has a pier which had allowed the steamers to sail between Skye and other ports in the Western Isles. From Uig we head further north and stop to view Flora McDonald’s Monument a collection of traditional thatched blockhouses which showed how islanders used to live.
Nearby is the actual monument to Flora who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from his enemies.
Passing through Duntulm and Flodigarry and Staffen. We stop off to view Kilt Rock Waterfall a 200’ vertiginous falls into the sea, so called because they resemble the pleats of a kilt. There is a small car park and a coffee wagon for visitors. Our next main stop is the Old Man of Storr, a few miles north of Portree and is a huge pinnacle of rock standing in front of the Store Ridge which rises to 2,300’.
The story here is similar to that of Fairy Pools with lots of visitors wanting to see the rock. Again cars and coaches parked for half a mile along the road. The path again is steep and uneven and you can walk a long way to see this rock.
We then visit the main town of Portree which is bustling with tourists.
Looking for somewhere to park the motorhome seemed not to be until we spotted the long term car park and plenty of room with marked bays for motorhomes. A walk up the steps into the town we were soon climbing down more steps to view the picturesque colourful houses on the waterfront. The town has banks and ATM’s and a Coop store which was full to capacity when we went in for some supplies with the queue to pay half way round the store. The town has spectacular mountain sceneries but where hasn’t on Skye.
We enjoyed walking around this vibrant little town full of restaurants and gift shops. We head for our base at Broadford Camping Skye to a welcome haddock and chips from the local chippy and a well earned rest. we will carry happy memories of Skye, its ruggedness, mountains, scenery
and waterfalls.
