joel-and-rachel-walking-at-sligachan

2021 Skye Summer

July 2021

Rachel and I drove up from Edinburgh stopping at Callander, Kilchurn Castle, and Oban where we went up to the McCaig's Tower which offers panoramic views over the town.

McCaig's Tower in Oban The ferry from McCaig's Tower in Oban

We stayed the night in Glencoe, and the following morning we went for a walk in the local area (including up to the site where Hagrid's Hut was set in the Harry Potter films) we then drove around Kinlochleven and up to Fort William for lunch.

Boats on the bay at Kinlochleven

We got the ferry to Skye from Mallaig and checked into our Airbnb, the following day we explored Kyle, Plockton, and Eilean Donan Castle before heading out on a glass bottomed boat to see below the waves of Loch Alsh.

The next day I walked from Kyle to Kyleakin over the Skye bridge which gave a great view of the Kyleakin Lighthouse which is on a small island called Eilean Ban.

Skye Bridge Kyleakin Lighthouse

We travelled up to Sligachan to have some couples photos taken surrounded by the beautiful Cuillin mountains.

In the evening we drove around the "Ord loop" in the South of the Sleat peninsula. The South of Skye is described as "the garden of Skye" it has lush vegetation, rocky shorelines, and sandy beaches.

Joel and Rachel walking at Sligachan Joel and Rachel together at Sligachan Joel and Rachel together at Sligachan Ord loop Ord loop

The following day we drove up from the South of Skye all the way to the North. We tried to explore the sights on the slower A855 as we went stopping at Bride's Veil Falls, Rigg Viewpoint, Lealt Falls, and the Dinosaurs footprints at An Corran Beach. We checked into Abhaig Boutique B&B run by Viv and Steve staying in their lovely Bothy.

Bride's Veil Falls with the Old man of Storr in the background

After a wonderful breakfast we had a little nap and in the late morning we set off to the Fairy Glen. After we'd had a change of clothes we drove down to Edinbane Pottery and around the Waternish peninsula. We stopped by Dunvegan Castle where we saw a brilliant group of sheep on a rocky outcrop before we drop back North to Staffin where we got some takeaway from The Hungry Gull and ate it on An Corran Beach.

The Fairy Glen Rachel on a hill at The Fairy Glen A beautiful sheep at The Fairy Glen A group of sheep on a rock at Dunvegan Castle Joel and Rachel eating a takeaway on An Corran Beach

We chose a brilliant day to tackle The Quiraing which has some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland, our walk was about 9km but we took it very easy, starting with some low cloud, and finishing with bright sunshine.

The Quiraing in the fog The Quiraing The Quiraing
The Quiraing in the fog The Quiraing after climbing to the top

On the final day of our trip we stopped by Eilean Donan Castle and went around the inside before heading back home to Edinburgh.

Eilean Donan Castle viewed from the car park Eilean Donan Castle looking down the bridge Eilean Donan Castle from inside