Beyond Sleat

During your stay in Sleat the days will not be long enough to complete all the things you plan to see and do but  from the cottage you are ideally situated to explore a little further afield:

The Road to the Isles, from Fort William to Glenfinnan and Lochailort, through Arisaig and Morar ending at Mallaig is a route steeped in history where Bonnie Prince Charlie found safety in this lovely area of the Scottish Highlands. 

Take the CalMac ferry, to Mallaig then onwards on the Loch Nevis ferry to the Small Isles of Rhum, Eigg and Canna.  These waters are home to dolphins, whales and basking sharks during the summer months so keep a watchful eye.

On a sunny day, you can't beat a drive over to Glenelg, Arnisdale and 'the road end' at Corran where a cup of tea and homebaking is a must at Sheena's Tearoom.  Gaze at the views from Mam Ratagan to the Five Sisters of Kintail, visit the ancient brochs and then return by the Skye Ferry over the narrows at Kylerhea where you may see an otter or two.

Just a few miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh at Dornie you will find Eilean Donan Castle, the ancient seat of the Clan Mackenzie and now the home of the Macrae family.  You will instantly recognise the castle as it is said to be the most photographed castle in Scotland.

If you want to mark a celebration or special occasion during your time on Skye, you cannot beat lunch or dinner at the Three Chimneys restaurant in Colbost, by Dunvegan.   The Three Chimneys is a world-renowned, award winning restaurant which is always heavily booked so if you plan to visit you will need to plan and book ahead.  Well worth the wait!

Near the Three Chimneys is Dunvegan Castle, home of Clan Macleod, where you can view the famous Fairy Flag, visit the gardens and take a boat trip to see the local resident seals.

Further north at the very top of the Trotternish Peninsula at Kilmuir is the Skye Museum of Island Life, a  fascinating and unique insight into life in Skye at the end of the 19th century, through a collection of thatched cottages and buildings.  A  great place for adults and children alike, amid beautiful scenery with wonderful views ( on a clear day ) to the Western Isles.

You may have recently seen the BBC television programme featuring Monty Halls in Applecross which is only a 2 hour drive away.   A long drive you may think but the experience of driving over Bealach na Ba, the highest mountain pass in the UK at 626 metres, followed by a sea-food lunch at the Applecross Inn far outweighs the effort.

A visit to the area would not be complete without spending time in Plockton, where you might recognise scenes from the BBC's Hamish MacBeth programme. Good restaurants, palm trees, pretty views, warm hospitality and, of course, Calum's Seal Trips are all trade marks of the village. Calum's trips really are 'free if no seals' and you can be assured of a magical time especially if you go on his new themed trips including sail and rail, an evening cruise from Plockton to Stromeferry and back by train.

Whatever you do, you will enjoy!