Day Itinerary
7 Activities
Day 3
52 mi
The Quiraing
In a land of stunning scenery, marvel at Skye's most dramatic landscapes on this journey, with massive landslips, giant fingers of rock, and towering waterfalls.
16.2 mi
30 min
Castle Ewen Fairy Glen
Scenic Lookout
Open Details
Castle Ewen, also known as the Fairy Castle, in the Fairy Glen, sits above a fantastic wonderland of lumps and bumps and crazy pinnacles. Though it looks like a fortified tower, Castle Ewen is a natural rock formation. Geologists have one view about this up thrust of rock, but everyone around Uig swears it was created by fairies. Park near, or just beyond a small lochan (on the right) and explore this amazing landscape.
8.2 mi
25 min
Skye Museum of Island Life
History Museum
Open Details
The Skye Museum of Island Life is an award-winning museum of seven thatched cottages where you can find out how islanders once lived. Explore the old croft house, byre and the village smithy. Visit the local shop or the weaver’s house. See a vast array of crofting implements and Highland history. Situated by the monument of the Highland Heroine Flora MacDonald, whose story is told in the museum.
2 mi
10 min
Open Details
Duntulm is believed to have been first fortified in the Iron Age, and the site continues to be associated with the name Dùn Dhaibhidh or "David's Fort". Later in life it was fortified by the Norse, and subsequently by their successors, the MacLeods of Skye. It would have been while it was under the MacLeod's tenure that James V visited the castle in 1540, where he was impressed by its strength and the quality of the hospitality on offer.
By the early 1600s the castle was controlled by the MacDonalds, and they abandoned the castle in about 1730 in favour of nearby Monkstadt House. Some say this was after a nursemaid accidentally dropped the baby son of the clan chief from a castle window above the cliffs. The ghost of the nursemaid, killed in retribution, is still said to wander the ruins.
4.4 mi
15 min
Flodigarry Country House Hotel
Lodging
Open Details
The SKYE Restaurant is part of the Flodigarry Hotel, with a glorious elevated setting looking over to Staffin Island. Flora Macdonalds actual cottage is adjacent to the hotel.
5 mi
15 min
Open Details
The Quiraing is a landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, the northernmost summit of the Trotternish. The whole of the Trotternish Ridge escarpment was formed by a great series of landslips; the Quiraing is the only part of the slip still moving.
Parts of the distinctive landscape have earned particular names. The Needle is a jagged 120-foot (37 m) high landmark pinnacle, a remnant of landslipping. Northwest of it is The Table, a flat grassy area slipped down from the summit plateau. Southwest is the Prison, a pyramidal rocky peak which can look like a medieval keep when viewed from the right angle. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse 'Kvi Rand', which means "Round Fold".
5.6 mi
15 min
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Other Great Outdoors
Open Details
Kilt Rock boasts a dramatic waterfall created from the outflow of Loch Mealt. Kilt Rock comprises spectacular sea-cliffs 55 metres (180 ft) tall, made of dolerite rock strata in many different colours (which makes the cliffs look like a kilt!).
10.8 mi
20 min
Open Details
There is a large well signposted car park at the base of the hill, just off the A855. The walk is steep in places and can require a little care near the summit. Also make sure you wear sturdy shoes.
The Old Man of Storr is a massive pinnacle and is in fact just one element in an array of fantastic rock features. The Storr is the rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula on which the Old Man resides. The Storr is prime example of the Trotternish landslip, the longest such feature in Great Britain. The area in front of the cliffs of the Storr is known as the Sanctuary.
Some of the opening scenes in Ridley Scott's 2012 feature film Prometheus were shot at the Old Man of Storr.