I want to live here, in Scotland, in the Highlands, on the Isle of Skye. I travelled to Glasgow by train and rented a car for a couple weeks. I really wanted to go to the Isle of Skye and back to Inverness.
I began my Highland adventure by driving to the Isle of Skye. I did really well driving on the other side of the road and only lost my way once. There are 2 ways to get to the Isle of Skye – either by boat or over the bridge. My navigational system took me to the boat and I didn’t have a reservation and they were fully booked. I had to backtrack a couple hours and get on the right road to the bridge.
I enjoy long drives and this one was no exception. The views were fabulous! I kept stopping and taking pictures of the scenery.
“The Isle of Skye (an t-Eilean Sgiathanach in Gaelic) takes its name from the old Norse sky-a, meaning ‘cloud island’, a Viking reference to the often-mist-enshrouded Cuillin Hills. It’s the second-largest of Scotland’s islands, a 50-mile-long patchwork of velvet moors, jagged mountains, sparkling lochs and towering sea cliffs.” Lonely Planet
There are many references to the Isle of Skye in history, in novels and in song. I love the Outlander theme song and yes I do have it downloaded and listen to it!
There is a lot to see and do on the Isle of Skye:
Portree
Fairy Pools
Fairy Glen
Sligachan Bridge
Dunvegan Castle
Neist Point Lighthouse
Skye Bridge
Portree
I stayed at a beautiful spot just outside of Portree, centrally located in the Isle of Skye.
Dalzie Apartment ~ Peinmore House ~ Isle of Skye
With a population of a couple thousand people, Portree is the capital of Skye and the largest town on the island.
The Old Burying Ground in Portree has many old markers and Commonwealth War Graves. I’m fascinated by old cemeteries ~ headstones always have a story to tell.
The harbour!
The Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are located near Glenbrittle at the foot of the Black Cuillins mountains. They are beautiful rock pools of crystal clear spring water fed by a series of waterfalls.
I dodged sheep on the road and picked up a young couple hitchhiking ~ see you two on the PCT!
Of course there were pictures of my boots and I dipped my feet into the pool!
Fairy Glen
The magic of the fairies are in this beautiful glen located south of the village of Uig. I wanted to dance naked underneath the moon and I had a one-sided conversation with the fairies as I strolled through the glen. The glen looks like something out of Middle Earth and seems very mysterious.
Sligachan Bridge
Legend has it that if you dip your face in the river water by the Sligachan Bridge, you will be granted eternal beauty.
Dunvegan Castle
First built in the 13th century, Dunvegan Castle is the home of the Chief of Clan MacLeod. It overlooks Loch Dunvegan and is an occupied castle. It was closed for the season so I wasn’t able to get closer. I did have some fun on the banks of the loch posing!
I picked up another hitchhiker today, a young man from Russia who’s making a video of his travels!
Neist Point Lighthouse
Neist Point is on the most westerly point of Skye and the Neist Point Lighthouse has been there since 1909.
Skye Bridge
Connecting the Isle of Skye to mainland Scotland, this bridge opened in 1995.
More pictures of the beautiful Isle of Skye!
The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and I can’t wait to visit again someday! Go visit!
Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to all 7 continents and 93 countries and is always planning the next destination and adventure!
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