Here's some things you might like to do when visiting Skye, there are multiple guidebooks and info packs waiting for you inside the cabin, or, feel free to email/message, I'm always happy to talk about Skye.

There are so many ‘things to do’ on our amazing island, guests really are spoilt for choice; there is pretty much something for everyone. We are going to concentrate here on some lesser known things to do and highlight some of the things we love doing, if we get half a chance.

Walks

There are too many walks available to you on Skye to list them all, here's a few of our favourites - I have collated a folder listing lots of walks and heritage sites you might like to see, it is in the cabin waiting for you, with directions and suggested time frames and ability levels to make it easier to choose.

Leitir Fura Settlement - Kinloch, Sleat

The Plock - Kyle of Lochalsh

Fox Hill - Kyleakin

Balmacara Woodland Trust - Lochalsh

Point of Sleat & it's Coral Beach

The Fairy Glen - Uig

Irishman's Point - Broadford

Beaches

Our guests are lucky enough to be able to walk a few feet from the cabin and find themselves in the tidal estuary or Obbe, it is mainly mudflat and has a plethora of wildlife from otters and seals to sea and wading birds - that said we have two fantastic sandy beaches just a short walk away. Ashaig beach is the our own 'go to' beach, with Broadford beach coming a very close second, both have lovely silvery sand and shells a plenty.

Our guests are welcome to bring paddleboards, canoes or water sports equipment, they can even launch from the garden. We provide extra beach towels so you can dry off after a dook.

Broadford pier is also located on a shingle beach, with lots of exciting geology and fossils. Skye also has famous Coral beach, and Glen Brittle beach, not forgetting the beach at An Corran famous for dinosaur footprints - when you are up that way don't forget to visit the museum too, it is great!

Castles

There is Eilean Donan Castle to visit before you reach Skye - outside of Edinburgh it is the most photographed castle in Scotland and featured in many a movie !!

Armadale Castle and the Clan Donald Centre - a fantastic castle and museum and one of our regular haunts - it is set in amazing grounds which are again a favourite spot to visit.

Dunvegan Castle - in the north end of the island, this castle is spectacular in every way - from the imposing position, to the incredible garden, the museum collection inside even boasts the famous Fairy Flag.

The are multiple ruined castles and fortifications to visit as well, all mentioned in our cabin info pack, with directions.

Home - Misty Isle Boat TripsMisty Isle Boat Trips have ben running boat trips on the Isle of Skye from Elgol to Loch Coruisk for over 40 years.

Boat Trips

We are water people, we love living by the sea and when we aren't in it, we are on it. We know that many of you are water babies too, so feel free to bring your paddle boards, kayaks or canoes - you can launch straight from the garden, the Obbe estuary and surrounding sea inlet are excellent place to explore, as it is calmer than the Inner Sound, being protected by Ardnish Point - seal colonies and the otters both live in the Obbe and if you do venture out to the main Inner Sound you might even spot a porpoise or two, or if you are very, very lucky you could spot the notorious John Coe and Aquarius - two bull orca that often circumnavigate Skye and the other Hebridean islands.

A firm family favourite excursion is The Misty Isle Boat Trips from the village of Elgol, out to Loch Coruisk - it is by far the most spectacular place I have ever visited, and if I could convince the family (and the the council) to let us live out there my goodness I'd be there in a heartbeat. The area is a very special place and the boat trip with Sandy and his crew really isn't to be missed - what the MacKinnon's don't know about this area isn't worth knowing! Sandy's brother Stuart also runs Skye Local Tours, a luxury car tour round the island, so if you want a touch of luxury during your trip check out Stuart and Glenda's guided island tour.

There are other boat trips: from Kyleakin on the glass bottom boat Atlantis and a fantastic tour out of Portree, and there are the Red Moon Cruises from Plockton or Kyle, just don't miss The Misty Isle, ok !!!!

Drams

I wouldn't be Scottish if I didn't mention our national drink. So yes, of course there are a few wee drams made and drunk, on the island .

The most obvious thing to note, as Broadford is only 3 miles away, is this sleepy village is the source of the recipe for Drambuie - legend has it the recipe for this delectable dram was shared by the MacKinnon's in the Broadford Hotel, to non other than Bonnie Prince Charlie during his retreat after Culloden in 1746.

There are also the very delicious Talisker Distillery in Carbost, the unmissable Torabheg Distillery in Sleat, and, within walking distance from the cabin there is The Misty Bottle shop, selling a vast array of whiskies and gins, as well as the local beer.

If you want to have a dram inside, then look no further than the Sligachan Hotel which holds one of the largest collections of Whisky known to man and a microbrewery to boot - I highly recommend Skye Black !! I can also give you the number of a local taxi firm to get you home after your wee tipple!!

Gin

Ok, it is known as Mother's Ruin, but it happens to be a favourite tipple of mine, especially as we have fabulous gins produced locally. I'm planning a wee trip from Sconser to the majestic Isle of Raasay the home of the Raasay Gin Distillery - I'll report back, when the hangover allows !! There are, as I say, a plethora of gins available in the local shop - The Misty Bottle, within walking distance, so don't miss a visit to it. The Broadford Distillery - just passed the chemist on the corner, off the main road as you go through the village, it is another stop not to be missed, and has cafe Sia next door too for your designated driver!

Gardens

A delightful way to spend a day is to wander one of the many gardens around the region - one that tops the list is Attadale Gardens in Lochalsh. A super place, with lots of different walks and species of tree and plant. It also boasts a sculpture trail, which we love too.

There are gardens in the castles as already mentioned, but not so widely known is the Viewfield Garden Collective and nursery, opposite the petrol station as you enter Portree, this is a great wee spot, and a very worthy cause.

I'm a very keen gardener, as you will see when you visit - it's a constant battle with the elements and conditions here, the ground in winter is sodden, as it is heavy clay and we are on a slope, so the run off from the mountains behind means we are never really short of water. So, what I am trying to say is, you are very welcome to wander our garden, sample the veg in the polytunnel or raised beds and ask me about what I'm attempting to grow. I'm also growing a wee veg plot just for you, so hopefully, weather permitting there will be leafy veg, peas, tomatoes and strawberries for you !