As you travel north west from Edinburgh in search of the edge of the country, you will come across a small isle, about 50 miles in length with a patchwork of velvet moors, jagged mountains, sparkling lochs and towering sea cliffs. It’s the second largest of Scotland’s islands. It’s the Isle of Skye.
It’s beauty is legendary, sceneries are breath-taking and the landscapes are unforgettable. It even boasts of the discovery of Dinosaur footprints recently and is a window to the prehistoric times.
And when did a Bengali need so many reasons to travel ! So pack your bags and off you go, because you are missing out on one of the most sumptuous treats that UK has to offer your senses.
How to Reach
By car – Isle of Skye is about 216 miles from Glasgow and the drive is one of the most scenic road trips you will do in your life. It takes about 5-6 hours to reach Portree, the capital.
By Train – Skye doesn’t have a train station and you have to travel to the nearest stations on the mainland and travel by bus.
You can travel from Glasgow to Mallaig and then take a ferry to Skye or you could take a train from Inverness to Kyle and then take a bus ride to the island.
When to Visit
Although the island is never inaccessible to visitors, but owing to it’s notoriously famous weather, it’s best suggested to visit it during the safest months of summer. But weather can never be predicted on the isle. In the summer of 2016, it rained for 45 consecutive days. The sun and rain are inseparable friends who play hide and seek in tandem. And then there is the famous gale that never stops blowing.
Where to stay
If you don’t plan to have your own transport book somewhere, stay in one of the larger villages such as Portree, Broadford or Dunvegan.
If you would like privacy for a quiet holiday, choose a more remote corner of the Island Such as Ord in Sleat, Elgol by Broadford or Waternish.
What to do
The famous Talisker Skye distillery!!! We already gave you a big reason to book your trip.
Skye is dotted with beautiful villages all throughout and they are all worth a visit.
The fairy pools, the Old man of Storr, the Clan MacDonald and Clan MacLeod castles, the village of Staffin, Dunvegan should be all on your list.
For the more adventurous types, you can go on hikes and walks in the Quirang range, the Trotternish ridge. After Staffin, the island is a perfect getaway for enjoying the hills and lochs on complete peace and tranquillity with almost nobody around you and with only the sound of the wind over the mighty Atlantic.
pic source: Google
IBUK says
IBUK had asked fellow Bengalis about their experiences in Isle of Skye and here is what we came up with –
Souvik Pal suggests an excellent Tours agency to visit the isle with. Here is what he had to say –
“Been there in 2008. We took a tour operator called Rabbies Trail Burners of Edinburgh who showed almost wholeofIsle of Skye in their 16 seater coach. Actually the trip was called Highlands of Scotland including Isle of Skye and it was for 5 days. Was a lovely trip and they showed some rare places where big coaches cannot go because of size. They are the best https://www.rabbies.com/en”
Mohua and Arijit suggests an Indian restaurant in Portree that goes by the name of ‘Taste of India’. We hope the food is more imaginative than the name !
Sarbani writes her own experience –
“Amazing place. Went there on a family holiday many years back. Stayed in Portree. It was a really good summer and peak holiday season. All the hotels and B&Bs were all full as it is such a popular destination in Scotland. There were 6 of us. We had to stay in separate hotels. It was a really good holiday. Amazing scenery and lovely place to visit. The only problem was we had dinner at a pub and were sitting outside. We were bitten by midges all evening!!!!!”
Rahul went there for solo wild camping and has a completely offbeat take on the island. His blog on Isle of Skye is an engrossing read –