What to see in just two days on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. What not to miss, where to go, why sleep in Portree and much, much more, read the whole post.
THEIsle of Skye is a natural wonder, and during a tour in Scotland you can't miss a stop in this almost fairytale place. Reaching it is easy because it is connected to Scotland by a bridge. After having been there, my advice is to stop at least two nights to have enough time to visit it and go hiking.
For the overnight stay you can opt for the town of Portree which is located on the sea and also offers various restaurants and pubs where you can eat. Characteristic for the row of colorful houses overlooking the sea, Portree is a strategic point to visit the island as it is located about half of it. In my opinion the most beautiful attractions are found mainly in the north where the island divides into two peninsulas, on the left Duirinish Peninsula and to the right that of Trotternish, both will not disappoint you.
In the first, the main points of interest are the Neist Point and the Dunvegan Castle. Neist Point is a spectacular cliff on which there is also a lighthouse; I highly recommend you park your car and walk to the top of the cliff via the special path, the view from there is breathtaking. You will really feel like you are in an enchanted place, especially if going at sunset you will be lucky like me to admire a sky full of fiery colors that, seen in an outline of green cliffs overlooking the sea, will make you feel out of the world and civilization.
The memory that this place left me is truly unique and indescribable. As you approach east you can stop at Dunvegan Castle, the famous castle of the MacLeod clan (who is fond of Highlander will know very well what I'm talking about). The entrance ticket (13 £ for adults and 9 £ for children) also includes access to the surrounding garden; if you are a flower lover like me you will be amazed to see how many varieties there are.
Let's move now to the Trotternish Peninsula, where you will find the most beautiful landscapes of Skye (and perhaps Scotland). From Portree part one ring road which runs along the peninsula and along which you can admire, traveling counterclockwise, the Old Man of Storr, the Kilt Rock, the Quiraing, the Duntulum Castle and the Faerie Glen. L'Old Mann of Storr it is a rocky pinnacle whose base can be reached on foot from the parking lot (about 5 km there and back); the only negative note of this place visited in August was the onslaught of midges (unfortunately also present in other places, but here in particular), equip yourself with repellent sprays or even better with retinas to put on your head, it is true it can make people laugh but you will see a lot of people wearing them and so you will know why.
Little anticipation, when I wanted to visit this site I had to wait for the afternoon as in the morning they were filming Transformers: The Last Knight, due out in 2017. Continuing, take a quick stop in Kilt Rock, park and go and admire the mighty cliffs and waterfall. Continue the tour of the peninsula by car until Quiraing, the most fabulous place on the island; I literally fell in love with this place made of green expanses and rocky pinnacles, carpets of pink and purple heather and slopes.
Obviously the best way to experience it is not to look at it from the parking lot (from where, however, you can already enjoy a beautiful view) but to explore it with a walk; I state that to see it well the "walk" to do is quite demanding, then it always depends on the training one has, however the almost complete tour lasts about 3 hours and I would do it another hundred times.
Before starting the descent to Portree, at the tip of the Trotternish peninsula is the Duntulum Castle; do not expect a castle like that of Dunvegan still intact and majestic, but the ruins of an old fortress located right on top of a cliff (in my opinion perhaps more fascinating); from the nearby red telephone box in typical British style, a path leads to the northernmost point of Skye.
The last recommended stop going south is the Faerie Glen, a valley (glen) characterized by many green hills that make the crossing by car in this place very suggestive. If you have time, go to the top of a hill to better see all those around, you will see a truly different landscape than usual. For whiskey lovers, and not only, on Skye you cannot miss a visit to the only distillery on the island, the Talisker. You can take the guided tour (7 £) lasting about an hour that will introduce you to all the processes and phases of the production of the water of life with free final tasting. What better experience to end the visit on this wonderful island?
