Edna's Guidebook
Sightseeing
These are some of our favourite places around this area, the mainland and the most popular tourist spots up the north end of the island. We hope you enjoy visiting them as much as we do.
Stunning beach at the end of our road.
Ashaig Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Skye. Situated 5 minutes walk from Bayview Lodge. Walk back up to the middle road, turn left and the beach is at the end of the road next to the old cemetery.
Connection with St Maelrubha
The old burial ground at Ashaig, which is still in use, reflects the site's ancient religious associations. By tradition, it is closely connected with St. Maelrubha (c.642-722), the apostle to Skye, who is said variously to have sailed over from Applecross (on a large flat stone) and to have occupied the small island of Pabay opposite the beach.
There are still to be seen the sacred spring that started when the saint tore a small tree from the ground and a rocky crag above the river, which he is said to have used as a pulpit (Creag an leabhair, "the rock of the book"). The saint's bell, which is supposed to have hung from a tree and to have pealed of its own accord in order to summon the faithful, is no longer in evidence.
Archaeological remains
The spring is covered by a stone-built well-house. Conservation work in 1994 revealed that it was fed by a channel from an earlier stone-lined spring. One of the lintels of the linking channel bore a lozenge 75mm long, and a cross-marked stone was found near the well-house. A neolithic axe was also found near the spring.
Within the burial ground, the remains of a mediaeval church were still in existence as late as the middle of the 19th century.
Ashaig
Stunning beach at the end of our road.
Ashaig Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Skye. Situated 5 minutes walk from Bayview Lodge. Walk back up to the middle road, turn left and the beach is at the end of the road next to the old cemetery.
Connection with St Maelrubha
The old burial ground at Ashaig, which is still in use, reflects the site's ancient religious associations. By tradition, it is closely connected with St. Maelrubha (c.642-722), the apostle to Skye, who is said variously to have sailed over from Applecross (on a large flat stone) and to have occupied the small island of Pabay opposite the beach.
There are still to be seen the sacred spring that started when the saint tore a small tree from the ground and a rocky crag above the river, which he is said to have used as a pulpit (Creag an leabhair, "the rock of the book"). The saint's bell, which is supposed to have hung from a tree and to have pealed of its own accord in order to summon the faithful, is no longer in evidence.
Archaeological remains
The spring is covered by a stone-built well-house. Conservation work in 1994 revealed that it was fed by a channel from an earlier stone-lined spring. One of the lintels of the linking channel bore a lozenge 75mm long, and a cross-marked stone was found near the well-house. A neolithic axe was also found near the spring.
Within the burial ground, the remains of a mediaeval church were still in existence as late as the middle of the 19th century.
This is a lovely short walk from the house. Turn right when you leave the house, follow the sign at the end of the road. Cross the small bridge. This path will take you to Waterloo where you can often see seals, and other wildlife.
Waterloo
WaterlooThis is a lovely short walk from the house. Turn right when you leave the house, follow the sign at the end of the road. Cross the small bridge. This path will take you to Waterloo where you can often see seals, and other wildlife.
Kylerhea is 7 miles over the mountains and down to the shore where you can cross the ferry to reach the mainland or just drive back round to Skye where you will have stunning views over the Five Sisters of Kintail and Loch Alsh. The cafe on the Glenelg side of the ferry is great for a cup of coffee.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Kylerhea
Kylerhea is 7 miles over the mountains and down to the shore where you can cross the ferry to reach the mainland or just drive back round to Skye where you will have stunning views over the Five Sisters of Kintail and Loch Alsh. The cafe on the Glenelg side of the ferry is great for a cup of coffee.
Isle Ornsay
The name ‘Eilean Iarmain’ is Gaelic for ‘Isle Ornsay’ and means ‘Ebb Island or tidal Island’. The lighthouse, the island and the hotel all share the name. Designed by David Stevenson and the lighthouse was built in 1857 and is actually on a separate island. It was owned for a time by Gavin Maxwell.
More accessible, the pretty and utterly genuine Eilean Iarmain hotel was built in the early 1800s. With delightful views over the tidal island ‘Isle Ornsay’ to Knoydart, it is surrounded by converted stables buildings, steadings and stone built piers. This was a herring port in 1820 so the buildings were most likely put to good industrial use, more recently they have been repurposed to house cutting edge tweed and knitwear, designer whiskey and an ephemeral art gallery. The stables have been turned into deluxe holiday accommodation. The Hotel is still a hotel and it is worth mentioning it’s excellent and reasonable bar meals and the fabulous ceilidh music they often have.
This hotel is the centre of the estate of the late Sir Iain Noble. In his lifetime he was passionate about the Gaelic language and its potential to turn the local economy around. His extreme views were not always popular but in his vision of Gaelic opening the door to economic recovery vision he was unequivocally successful. The presence of Iain Noble’s creation, Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College in Sleat has been the source of an economic bubble that has protected house-prices and ensured relative affluence. The new village of Kilbeg is further testimony to this success.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Isleornsay
Isle Ornsay
The name ‘Eilean Iarmain’ is Gaelic for ‘Isle Ornsay’ and means ‘Ebb Island or tidal Island’. The lighthouse, the island and the hotel all share the name. Designed by David Stevenson and the lighthouse was built in 1857 and is actually on a separate island. It was owned for a time by Gavin Maxwell.
More accessible, the pretty and utterly genuine Eilean Iarmain hotel was built in the early 1800s. With delightful views over the tidal island ‘Isle Ornsay’ to Knoydart, it is surrounded by converted stables buildings, steadings and stone built piers. This was a herring port in 1820 so the buildings were most likely put to good industrial use, more recently they have been repurposed to house cutting edge tweed and knitwear, designer whiskey and an ephemeral art gallery. The stables have been turned into deluxe holiday accommodation. The Hotel is still a hotel and it is worth mentioning it’s excellent and reasonable bar meals and the fabulous ceilidh music they often have.
This hotel is the centre of the estate of the late Sir Iain Noble. In his lifetime he was passionate about the Gaelic language and its potential to turn the local economy around. His extreme views were not always popular but in his vision of Gaelic opening the door to economic recovery vision he was unequivocally successful. The presence of Iain Noble’s creation, Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College in Sleat has been the source of an economic bubble that has protected house-prices and ensured relative affluence. The new village of Kilbeg is further testimony to this success.
Take the very scenic route south to the Mainland via the ferry. Make sure to book as it is very busy during the peak season.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Armadale Ferry Terminal station
Take the very scenic route south to the Mainland via the ferry. Make sure to book as it is very busy during the peak season.
Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles
Plockton
The famous Kilt Rock is a sea cliff in north east Trotternish.
It is said to resemble a kilt, with vertical basalt columns to form the pleats and intruded sills of dolerite forming the pattern.This is a popular stopping point on the road between Portree and Staffin and there is a large car park by the waterfall at NG508655, at Ellishadder.
You have to look north up the coast to see the Kilt Rock. Closer by is the Mealt Waterfall, which freefalls off the cliff for 60m into the Sound of Raasay below. Sometimes, when the wind is strong, the water is blown away and it doesn't reach the bottom at all.
Lives have been lost here. Today, the cliff edge is pretty well fenced, but do take particular care and keep to the designated viewpoint.
21 personas locales recomiendan
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls Viewpoint
A855The famous Kilt Rock is a sea cliff in north east Trotternish.
It is said to resemble a kilt, with vertical basalt columns to form the pleats and intruded sills of dolerite forming the pattern.This is a popular stopping point on the road between Portree and Staffin and there is a large car park by the waterfall at NG508655, at Ellishadder.
You have to look north up the coast to see the Kilt Rock. Closer by is the Mealt Waterfall, which freefalls off the cliff for 60m into the Sound of Raasay below. Sometimes, when the wind is strong, the water is blown away and it doesn't reach the bottom at all.
Lives have been lost here. Today, the cliff edge is pretty well fenced, but do take particular care and keep to the designated viewpoint.
Fairy Pools
Dunvegan Castle
Neist Point Lighthouse
Eilean Donan Castle
Stunning tour
The Cafe at Torabhaig Distillery
Lovely place to end your tour
Food scene
Here are some of our favourite eating places.
Red Skye Restaurant
Great food at the top of our road.
The Hebridean Inn
Fantastic food, reasonably priced, 2 miles away.
Claymore Restaurant
LowerGreat local produce and a friendly atmosphere
Siaway Fish & Chips
Shore RoadLocal fish and chips
Cafe Sia & Siaway
Ford RoadTake away or sit in
Taste Of India
Bank StreetAuthentic Indian restaurant five miles away
Hector's 2 Go
Main StreetGreat chip shop
Kyle Chinese Takeaway
Main StreetTasty Takeaway
Good pub food at reasonable prices. Great place for live music at the weekend.
7 personas locales recomiendan
The King Haakon Bar
Good pub food at reasonable prices. Great place for live music at the weekend.
Buth Bheag
Ferry RoadDelicious, fresh seafood
Pizza-Mia
Ferry RoadGreat pizza. No delivery but you can phone for collection
Marcello Tully, the only Brazilian-born chef in Britain to have held a Michelin star, continues to delight visitors to Kinloch Lodge with his fresh, locally sourced ingredients and multicultural flair
39 personas locales recomiendan
Kinloch Lodge
A851Marcello Tully, the only Brazilian-born chef in Britain to have held a Michelin star, continues to delight visitors to Kinloch Lodge with his fresh, locally sourced ingredients and multicultural flair
World famous award winning restaurant utilising premium local ingredients
68 personas locales recomiendan
The Three Chimneys and The House Over-by
World famous award winning restaurant utilising premium local ingredients
The Croft Cafe
Great food, staff and atmosphere
Best food in the village. Their seafood platter is amazing as is their steak plus their oyster shots!
48 personas locales recomiendan
Plockton Inn
Innes StreetBest food in the village. Their seafood platter is amazing as is their steak plus their oyster shots!
PizzaJo to Go
Bein ConchraGreat German Pizza
The Isles Inn
Somerled SquareGreat seafood at affordable prices.
Although it is in a hardware store, the food is tasty as is the coffee and cake!
16 personas locales recomiendan
Jans
6 Broom PlAlthough it is in a hardware store, the food is tasty as is the coffee and cake!
The food is locally sourced and delicious. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. Highly recommended
House of Juniper
The food is locally sourced and delicious. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. Highly recommended
The food is locally sourced and delicious. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. Highly recommended
House of Juniper
The food is locally sourced and delicious. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. Highly recommended
Supermarket
Our local supermarket where you can purchase goods and fuel.
32 personas locales recomiendan
Co-op Food - Broadford
Main StreetOur local supermarket where you can purchase goods and fuel.
Co-op petrol station
5 A87Local petrol station.
Activities
Skye Highland Adventures ltd
Explore the Sea, Cliffs and Caved of Skyr
A.C.E Target Sports
Fun activities for all the family
Misty Isle Boat Trips
Stunning scenery and wildlife
Quiraing
Worth a trip but beware it gets very busy in the peak season
Excellent trip around Kyleakin in a glass bottom boat
13 personas locales recomiendan
Seaprobe Atlantis
Station RoadExcellent trip around Kyleakin in a glass bottom boat
South Skye Sea Kayak
Sea Kayak Plockton