| I last visited Skye more than ten years ago. Back | | | | you, you can take the ferry from here to Lewis and |
| then I was using public transport on rickety old buses | | | | the Outer Hebrides. Alternatively, stop at the Ferry |
| across single track roads. Recently I've been lucky | | | | Inn and sample some island hospitality, and more |
| enough to get a new car, and Skye has been the | | | | great beer. |
| beneficiary of upgraded roads courtesy of the EU. I | | | | The main road takes you back round towards |
| thought it was time to bring the two together. | | | | Portree, but at the crossroads, you should go right, |
| Using the aforementioned new roads it is perfectly | | | | heading for Dunvegan. Halfway there you could stop |
| possible to drive around Skye in a day. Personally I'd | | | | at Edinbane and visit the small pottery to see local |
| recommend taking more time over it, but a | | | | craftsmen in action, |
| whistle-stop tour does at least give you a flavour of | | | | Dunvegan itself is well worth a longer visit. The |
| the scope and grandeur of the island. | | | | castle, ancestral home of the clan McLeod, is a |
| I started in the obvious place. The new road bridge | | | | splendid mixture of architectural styles, the Fairy Flag |
| from Kyle of Lochalsh dominates the skyline, but its | | | | is worth of a column of its own, and the bay boasts |
| long sweeping modernist curve looks strangely | | | | boat trips to see the local seal colonies. There's more |
| appropriate and leads you across, island hopping on a | | | | beer and victals to be had in the village, and several |
| thin concrete strip. | | | | local craft shops dotted along the road south out of |
| At first the road is straight and relatively flat, giving | | | | town. |
| no warning of the views to come, but once you | | | | This road leads you back to the Sligachan Hotel, but |
| reach the village of Broadford and head for Sligachan | | | | do try to keep your eyes on the road. The views on |
| you are on a coast road that takes you along the | | | | this stretch are spectacular, and diverting. The Cuillins, |
| side of spectacular sea lochs underneath towering | | | | both black and red, jut starkly skyward, their peaks |
| hills. | | | | coated in snow even as late as June. Hardy walkers |
| Take a quick stop at the Sligachan Hotel. This | | | | climb the foothills, and seasoned mountaineers use |
| centuries old coaching inn is a favourite stop for | | | | these parts as training for bigger prizes in the Alps |
| ramblers and hill walkers and set in some of the most | | | | and Himalayas. Don't worry if you miss the view at |
| spectacular countryside in Scotland. As for me, I stop | | | | one corner - the next one is usually better, and there |
| there for the beer. They've recently revived the art | | | | are plenty of parking places at the side of the road. |
| of brewing on the island, and one of the new beers, | | | | Take a detour along to the Talisker distillery. The |
| the Red Cuillin, is among the best that Scotland has | | | | feiry, peaty whisky they make there is one of |
| to offer. | | | | Scotland's great treasures. It'll put hairs on your |
| From Sligachan, you follow the coast road alongside | | | | chest, man or woman! |
| more hills and more sea lochs to Portree, the main | | | | From Sligachan you head back to Broadford, and |
| town on the island. It's well worth your while to stop | | | | thence back to the bridge, but if you've got time, |
| here. There are several excellent seafood restaurants | | | | take a trip south on the Armadale road. |
| in the picturesque harbour, along with more inns and | | | | This road has been much improved thanks the EU, |
| hotels to restock the batteries. There's plentiful | | | | and once more offers stunning views of sea lochs |
| parking near the town square, and a short walk | | | | and hills, this time those of the mainland beyond. |
| south will take you to the Aros Centre where you | | | | There are several wonderful country house hotels |
| can watch live pictures of the recently reintroduced | | | | offering seclusion, hospitality and views. |
| sea eagles. | | | | Armadale itself has several good hotels, fine gardens, |
| From here you take the B855 north along the north | | | | or a ferry to take you over to the mainland, to |
| side of the island. This is a single track road with | | | | Mallaig and Fort William beyond that. |
| passing places, but it is well worth the trip. The road | | | | As for me, I return to the Isle Oronsay Hotel. I buy |
| runs beneath a long escarpment, above which Golden | | | | a beer and sit on the harbour wall watching the sun |
| Eagles soar and occasionally hunt. On a clear day the | | | | paint the hills in russets and reds as it goes down |
| views are stunning, and most likely you'll be the only | | | | behind me. It's about as close to heaven as you can |
| person there to appreciate them. | | | | get and still be alive. |
| Follow the road around to Uig. If the mood takes | | | | |