Skye. Skye or the Isle of Skye (/skaɪ/; Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach or Eilean a' Cheò) is the largest and most northerly large island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. [Note 1] The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillins, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country.[9][10] Although it has been suggested that the Gaelic Sgitheanach describes a winged shape there is no definitive agreement as to the name's origins. The island has been occupied since the Mesolithic period and its history includes a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald.
The 18th-century Jacobite risings led to the breaking up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances that replaced entire communities with sheep farms, some of which also involved forced emigrations to distant lands. The main industries are tourism, agriculture, fishing and whisky-distilling. Etymology[edit] Skye Bridge. The Skye Bridge is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, Scotland, connecting the Isle of Skye to the island of Eilean Bàn. The name is also used for the whole Skye Crossing, which further connects Eilean Bàn to the mainland across the Carrich Viaduct.[1] The crossing forms part of the A87. Design and construction[edit] Toll controversy[edit] The first major capital project funded by the Private Finance Initiative, the bridge has been controversial since its construction was announced.
The tolls charged by the bridge concessionaire, Skye Bridge Ltd., were particularly unpopular. The campaign included mass protests and a prolonged non-payment campaign, and continued as long as the tolls. The bridge, and the toll protest, became a continuing political issue. The topic is explored extensively in George Monbiot's book Captive State in which he examines the merits and demerits of the Private Finance Initiative. External links[edit] References[edit] Coordinates: Historical perspective for Skye. A historical perspective, drawn from the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical, edited by Francis H. Groome and originally published in parts by Thomas C.
Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh between 1882 and 1885. Skye, an island in the W of the county of Inverness, of the whole area of which it forms a little more than one-seventh. It is the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, and the second largest of the whole group, as well as of all the islands lying off the coast of Scotland. It extends from N latitude 57 42 30' at Rudha Hunish in the extreme N-though the outlying islets of Trodday and Fladdachuain are respectively 2½ and 4 miles NE and NW of that point-to N latitude 57 1 12' at Point of Sleat on the extreme S, and from W longitude 5 38 50' at Rudha na Caillich at the S end of Kyle Rhea to W longitude 6 47 8' at Eist on the extreme W of Duirinish.
Coast, etc. The official website for Skye, Lochalsh and Raasay in the north west of Scotland. The Skye Guide - The independent guide to walking, eating, shopping, and things to see and do on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Skye Museum of Island Life. Skye & Lochalsh. Skye & Lochalsh Of all the variety of Highland landforms, the mountain profiles of Skye create the strongest sense of awe, and they have drawn visitors to the island since the days of Sir Walter Scott and JMW Turner. Skye is joined to the mainland by the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh and it also has two mainland ferry connections from Mallaig and Glenelg, the latter summer only. These offer flexibility for journey planning.
However, Skye has no monopoly on spectacular mountain scenery. The village of Plockton is famed for its mild climate and sheltered location. The Cuillin of Skye are certainly the island's best-known feature and though their tops are places only for experienced climbers, there are many viewpoints and island locations where excellent panoramas can be enjoyed. Skye and Lochalsh also have a good range of other places to visit, including castles and folk museums. For information on adventure activities in the Highlands see the VisitScotland Active website. Isle of Skye, Scotland. Guide to Accommodation, Activities, Attractions. Highland Council Archive Service - Skye & Lochalsh Archive Centre. As part of the Highland Archive Service, the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, Portree, is responsible for collecting, preserving and making available archives relating to the history of the Skye and Lochalsh area.
The archives date from the 17th century to the present, and consist of documents in different formats including minute books, correspondence, maps, plans, photographs, drawings and sound recordings. Contact details Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, Elgin Hostel, Dunvegan Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EE Map Tel: +44 (0)1478 614078 Fax: +44 (0)1478 614073 Email: skyeandlochalsh.archives@highlifehighland.com Opening hours Monday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Tuesday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Wednesday Closed Thursday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Friday 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Services available The public searchroom in Portree is open to all, free of charge. Moving to Skye. '...nobody born in any other parts of the worldwill choose this country for their residence...'Dr. Samuel Johnson, on the Isle of Skye - 1775 More and more people are choosing to make a move to live permanently on Skye. The population of the island is growing, and everywhere there are old houses being restored and new houses being built.
Such a move is often a considerable change in lifestyle. It is certainly not right for everyone - in fact it would probably be quite wrong for most. So, a move to Skye deserves plenty of consideration. If the idea appeals to you, here are a few pointers to finding some more information: Isle of Skye U3A: Isle of Skye. Select area The Isle of Skye is a walkers' paradise. From family walks on the spectacular coastline to dramatic scrambles in the Cuillin mountains, the most challenging in Britain, the island provides fantastic walking for everyone.
We help you find the best walking routes on Skye, from the classic outings to hidden gems not found in guidebooks. We've carefully researched each of the walks, giving up to date, reliable information to help you get the most from your visit to this beautiful island. You can view and book accommodation, find places to eat and things to see and do. Each route is available for free download to your gps or mobile phone. Map of Skye and Raasay is derived from SVG map of Scotland by Eric Gaba; licenced under CCSA. Skye Guides - The best mountain guiding for Skye and the Cuillin… Destination Skye & Lochalsh. The Skye Trail - a long-distance walk through the Isle of Skye. Skye Hi Cuillin Mountain Guide, Isle of Skye. Skye Mountain Rescue Team. Portree. Coordinates: Portree (Scottish Gaelic: Port Rìgh, pronounced [pʰɔrˠʃt̪ˈtʰɾiː]) is the largest town on Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.[2] It is the location for the only secondary school on the Island, Portree High school.
Public transport services are limited to buses. Portree has a harbour, fringed by cliffs, with a pier designed by Thomas Telford.[3] Attractions in the town include the Àros centre which celebrate the island's Gaelic heritage. The town also serves as a centre for tourists exploring the island.[4] The Royal Hotel is the site of MacNab's Inn, the last meeting place of Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746.[2][5] The town plays host to the Isle of Skye's shinty club, Skye Camanachd.[6] They play at Pairc nan Laoch above the town on the road to Struan. Around 939 people (37.72%) of the population can speak Scottish Gaelic. Etymology[edit] The current name, Port Rìgh translates as 'king's port', possibly from a visit by King James V of Scotland in 1540. Portree Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland. Portree is the main town on Skye. Its name comes from the Gaelic Port-an-Righ, which translates as "King's Port" and dates to a visit by King James V, plus a fleet of warships, in 1540, to persuade the island clans to support him.
It had earlier been known as Kiltraglen. The main street running parallel to the back of the harbour is Bank Street. This is perhaps best known for the Royal Hotel. Portree saw other sad departures later in the 1700s, when Skye folk, fleeing poverty and overpopulation, boarded ships bound for North America. More would have left had not an unusually enlightened laird, Sir James Macdonald, developed Portree as a fishing port from 1771. 1846 brought potato famine to Skye, and during the following fifty years clearance and emigration of a large part of the population, many through Portree, took place. Modern Portree offers visitors all the necessities of life, plus a great deal more. The centre of life in Portree has to be its harbour. Portree. Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye, is a bustling port and a thriving cultural centre. Set round its natural harbour and fringed by high ground and cliffs, the town is a popular tourists’ holiday destination and the harbour continues to be used by fishing boats as well as pleasure craft.
It boasts excellent leisure facilities including a swimming pool, pony-trekking and boat cruises plus plenty of shopping opportunities in addition to the great variety of accommodation ranging from upmarket hotels through guest houses, B&Bs, self-catering establishments and hostels. There is also a campsite nearby. Portree is also the cultural hub for Skye and one of its main attractions, the award-winning Aros Centre, runs regular theatre, concerts and film screenings. The town is a popular base for exploring the rest of the island. Cuillin. The Cuillin (Scottish Gaelic: An Cuilthionn or An Cuiltheann) is a range of rocky mountains located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
The true Cuillin is also known as the Black Cuillin to distinguish it from the Red Cuilin (na Beanntan Dearga, known locally as Red Hills) across Glen Sligachan. The Red Cuilin hills are lower and, being less rocky, have fewer scrambles or climbs. Black Cuillin[edit] The main ridge The peaks of the Black Cuillin are mainly composed of Gabbro a very rough black igneous rock which provides a superb grip for mountaineers and basalt, which can be very slippery when wet. The summits of the Cuillin are bare rock, jagged in outline and with steep cliffs and deep cuts corries and gullies. The scrambler can access most of the individual peaks by their easiest routes.
There are no natural sources of water on the ridge (except for winter snows and melt water): all water must be carried by the visitor. Climbing the Black Cuillin Traverse[edit] On the Cuillin Ridge. Overview of Cuillin, The. Overview of Inaccessible Pinnacle. The Storr. The Storr (Scottish Gaelic: An Stòr)[1] is a rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula of the Isle of Skye. The hill presents a steep rocky eastern face overlooking the Sound of Raasay, contrasting with gentler grassy slopes to the west.
Geology[edit] The area in front of the cliffs of the Storr is known as the Sanctuary. This has a number of weirdly shaped rock pinnacles, the remnants of ancient landslips. Ascent routes[edit] A well constructed path, used by many sightseers, leaves the A855 just north of Loch Leathan. Most day-trippers are content simply to wander around the Sanctuary, admiring the pinnacles and gazing up at The Storr's eastern cliffs. Another alternative route to or from the summit starts 500 metres (⅓ mile) south-west of the car park and heads north west to Bealach Beag, about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) south-west of the summit, following the course of a stream which breaches the cliffs.
Media and the arts[edit] Gallery[edit] References[edit] External links[edit] Coordinates: Overview of Old Man of Storr. Dunvegan. Coordinates: Dunvegan (Gaelic: Dùn Bheagain) is a town on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is famous for Dunvegan Castle, seat of the chief of Clan MacLeod. It is also the hometown of Celtic fusion band Peatbog Faeries. In The Norse Influence on Gaelic Scotland (1910), George Henderson suggests that the name Dùn Bheagain derives from Old Gaelic Dùn Bheccáin ([the] fort of Beccán), Beccán being a Gaelic personal name.
Dùn Bheagain would not mean 'little fort' as this would be Dùn Beag in Gaelic. The town is now home to four hotels/ B&B's, a bakery, a restaurant, a cobbler, two general stores, one filling station, a garage, tourist information, a gun shop, a fishing store and a fruit and vegetable shop. Dunvegan sits on the shores of the large 'Loch Dunvegan' and the Old School Restaurant in the village is noted for its fish, caught freshly from the loch itself. Dunvegan's permanent population is declining. Dunvegan castle, Scotland Map of Skye showing Dunvegan References[edit] External links. Dunvegan Castle. Untitled. Skye Birds - A Birding Guide to the Isle of Skye. West Highland Flora. Nature Notes. Revealed, the great barrier reef of Skye: 100million dazzling orange shellfish carpet seabed. Astonishing natural reef found near Isles of SkyeThe scallop-like species have glowing orange tentaclesThe living reef supports hundreds of other species By Jamie Beatson Published: 02:15 GMT, 27 December 2012 | Updated: 11:49 GMT, 27 December 2012 It is a newly discovered natural wonder, a living natural reef made up of 100million brightly coloured shellfish carpeting the seabed.
But while the spectacular colony of flame shells may look like something from tropical waters, it has actually been found off Scotland’s coast. A survey of Loch Alsh, a sea inlet between Skye and the mainland, uncovered what scientists believe could be the world’s biggest single population of the creatures. Loch and awe: The flame shells live in giant colonies The flame shells, or Limaria hians, form a large shellfish reef on the west coast of Scotland, which could be the biggest find of its kind in the world Flame shells build 'nests' by binding gravel and shells together with thin wiry threads.
Memory mapping the Isle of Skye, Scotland – in pictures | Travel. Artist J Maizlish Mole spent weeks walking the Isle of Skye, committing its roads and features to memory and collecting local oral histories along the way, to produce incredibly accurate maps that are also pieces of art. The Giant Angus MacAskill Museum, Dunvegan. Skye.