Two days on Skye: your choices?

[CameronCat]

Hi

Our upcoming trip to Scotland (mid Sept) includes two full days on Skye. We have almost nothing firmly planned so I'm taking suggestions for things to see. We will have a car.

I know there's a couple touristy places on main roads, but I'd like to hear about your hidden gems, must-sees, don't-miss-these's, and definitely have-a-pint-heres. For reference, Dunvegan Castle is already a must see for Mrs Cat so that's sorted. Also, I've been through the Clan Donald Centre in the south but many yrs ago. (It's a definite maybe, but there's not a lot else down south.)

So, what'cha got for ideas? I'm figuring two or three stops/sites/events per day plus meals should fill the diary nicely.

And thanks in advance. Can't promise I'll use everything but it will be considered.

Peace

[Ron Abbott]

Talisker - the distillery

and of course....

the wee fish n' chip shop in Portree. Proper, good food.

Then get across to Uig and take the ferry over to Harris.

By far, my favourite of the isles. And from there just another ferry over to Berneray/N Uist/Benbecula/S Uits/Eriskay.

But wherever you go on Skye, unless it has had millions of dollars being refurbished and a change of management avoid the Dunollie Hotel like the plague.

[John_Carrick]

If time permits drive to Elgol take the ferry to Loch Coruisk but do dress warmly and be waterproof.

[John_Carrick]

But wherever you go on Skye, unless it has had millions of dollars being refurbished and a change of management avoid the Dunollie Hotel like the plague.

Where I stayed last time. Grim!!! Coach parties and sing songs. Beam me up Scotty.

[creagdhubh]

Wait for Orionson to chime in. He lives there!

[Nathan]

You could stay at Kinloch lodge and have dinner with Lord and Lady Macdonald.

[Grizzly]

Take the road north from the Skye bridge through Broadford and Portree, stop at kilt rock on the coast road. Continue north past the Old Man of Storr and at the top of Skye is a place called Kilmuir. Visit the churchyard to see the grave of Flora Macdonald. Follow the road south and head for the Talisker distillery and the Faerie Glen. While in the northern part of Skye take in the scenic splendour of the Quirang with views across to the Cuillins. The trip down to Elgol is nice and has views from the harbour across the sea to the Cuillins again but from the south, but if memory serves me right it's single track road with passing places.

All in all you need more than 2 days to soak in the atmosphere and ambience of Skye, and you will find many art/pottery studios as you drive round. As others have mentioned Orionson (John) lives on Skye. If he doesn't chime in here, it would be worth dropping him a PM.

[Calgacus]

A small correction to Grizzly's post, it's the Old Man of Storr you are thinking of, it would be quite a trek to get to the Old Man of Hoy from there!

If mountains are your thing then in addition to the suggestions above, splendid views of the Cuillin can be had by taking a drive down Glen Brittle.

Some of the best food on the island can be had at the Three Chimneys restaurant, near Dunvegan-

http://www.threechimneys.co.uk/

It's almost Michelin Star standard, but you would need to book in advance. They have rooms too.

There is a Michelin Starred restaurant at the Kinloch Hotel, though I've never eaten there myself.

http://www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk/

The pub with the most/best atmosphere (at least when I was there last some years ago) is remote, but no too far from the Three Chimneys. It's the Stein Inn-

http://www.steininn.co.uk/

Again, they have accommodation.

Here's some more contacts for accommodation-

http://skyeguides.co.uk/accommodation/

Feeling adventurous? How about Spar Cave?

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/sparcave.shtml

Or Prince Charlie's cave?

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/...ies-cave.shtml

Plenty other walks and recommendations for accommodation at the main site-

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/

[John_Carrick]

How could I forget the Old Man of Storr. Its like being in Star Trek. Not that far beyond Portree and about a 2-3 hour round trip from the car park once you get there as I recall. The views of the other islands are stunning.


I agree its great to get local insights from people who actually live there.

Enjoy your trip.

[Ron Abbott]

I have to say that I've always thought Skye was over-rated. Too many of the Wallace Arnold, 70+ sett with blue rinses from Yorkshire or wherever visiting.

I far prefer Harris, the Uists or Mull.

However the Indian restaurant just a mile or so from the bridge is worth a visit for dinner as is the chippie in Portree.

The ferry from Skye to Mallaig is a nice journey and when you arrive in Mallaig, you''ll possibly hear more Tagalog (Filipino) spoken than the Gaelic nowadays.

I've already mentioned the (horrible) Dunnolie Hotel and I note that my views have been corroborated by another of our members, however if you do go to Skye and are looking for somewhere that doesn't cost the earth to stay, but is in a handy location; then I've also stayed at the following B&B which is about a 20 minute walk outside Portree but which is clean, the owners' honest and which is good value:-

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R..._Scotland.html

Doesn't look anything great from the outside and when you arrive it looks like an ordinary modern house but we were looked after by the owner.....whose husband is ex British Army.