Isle of Skye

[drivin_me_nuts]

Has anyone been to Skye - primarily walking. If so, can you point me in a direction of a resources that will give me a little more information aboout the walks and more importantly the weather late March. Cheers

[DrTre]

I'm sure there are other members here who live there but maybe PM skyedriver?

Oh, and enjoy.

[YOF626]

Never been myself but this is the official website that will hopefully answer your queries.

http://www.skye.co.uk/



There's also a few walking websites for Skye.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/

http://www.skyewalks.co.uk/

[deevlash]

I was there in september last year for a day or so, lovely place, we went up the Cuillins. This website has loads of info on routes and walks.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/

[drivin_me_nuts]

Thanks - the walking site is ace. Just what I was looking for.

I promised my lass i'd scatter her ashes on high hills or mountains where you can see the sea. It's going to be a memorable trip.

[deevlash]

The weather will probably be wet in March. Its always wet on the west coast. That said you might get lucky and it'll snow instead.

[drivin_me_nuts]

deevlash said:

The weather will probably be wet in March. Its always wet on the west coast. That said you might get lucky and it'll snow instead.

... thanks i'll bear that in mind. I'd rather not go in the snow. I'm not a particularly great walker and I need to be a bit sensible about this. Cheers.

[hesnotthemessiah]

Amazing walking. Head for Elgol (East off the ferry). The walk from Elgol round the coast is fabulous. I think it was named best walk in the world at some point. There's a great B&B there as well that's pretty famous for it's seafood, can't remember the name, sorry.

A friend of mine is moving there this summer once his croft is finished.

Enjoy!

[caziques]

Can't offer any suggestions about walking on Skye, but I once took the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale and then drove up to Kyleakin. Then ferry back to Kyle of Localsh.

It must have been summer time in the early eighties, as we had the roof down on a Vitesse convertible.

Taking it easy we had a local in an Escort van following close behind for a mile or two, suddenly there was a rustling sound and a biscuit wrapper from the back seat flew out - and wedged itself under the wiper blade of the van. Next thing we saw was the local switching his wipers on in an unsuccessful attempt to get rid of it.

To avoid any further issues we pulled over to recover from laughing, and let him continue on his way with somewhat restricted vision.

I wonder if he relates the tale during those long winter evenings on Skye.

United wrapper BTW, can you still get them?

[Scraggles]

been there once, but only driving, early summer might be better, less chance of snow and midges won't be as bad either

[deevlash]

drivin_me_nuts said:

... thanks i'll bear that in mind. I'd rather not go in the snow. I'm not a particularly great walker and I need to be a bit sensible about this. Cheers.

The peaks will almost certainly still have snow on them even if the lower levels don't. There was still skiing in June last year in some parts of Scotland. Make sure you're well prepared with equipment, good boots, compass, maps, food etc and make sure you're in shape, do some training before you go. Walking is much more fun if youre not knackered and sweating!

[physprof]

if your wanting a base in a walking location try the Sligachan Hotel - alternatively stay in Broadford or Portree and drive in each day.

march is a lottery weather wise. can you hang on for late april / May? longer days for a start.

also don't forget to book the three chimneys near dunvegan.

if you get a chance visit soay (amazing 20th century history - mother's family were economically migrated in 1953, also recall gavin maxwell? ) from elgol for a view back to cullins.

GetCarter will be along shortly with stunning pics of Skye.....

[deevlash]

Oh yeah, the Talisker distillery does tours

[drivin_me_nuts]

physprof said:

if your wanting a base in a walking location try the Sligachan Hotel - alternatively stay in Broadford or Portree and drive in each day.

march is a lottery weather wise. can you hang on for late april / May? longer days for a start.

also don't forget to book the three chimneys near dunvegan.

if you get a chance visit soay (amazing 20th century history - mother's family were economically migrated in 1953, also recall gavin maxwell? ) from elgol for a view back to cullins.

GetCarter will be along shortly with stunning pics of Skye.....

Thanks for the reply. I am not familiar with the Cullins. DO you know if there is a reasonably easy part to take to get near the peaks of at least one of them. There are reasons why I need as close as I can, but I am not a climber so like I said before I need to be sensible how I do this.

I could wait until mid April, it's only a handful of weeks away. I would prefer it if it was a little warmer as well.

Thanks for the tips about places to stay. I am planning to stay for 2/3 days and then head off down to Glasgow and Aberdeen. There are people I want to meet along the way.

For me this is the first part in the final chapter of letting go of my soulmate and it's something that I realise will take time and be almost and for want of a word a pilgrimage. I am in equal measure both excited and terribly apprehensive.

I will also stop off at Tallisker. Any chance of a decent Whiskey and i'll be happy!

[deevlash]

Some pics of the Cuillins before the clouds came in and we couldnt see anything. The Cuillins are magnetic which can play havoc with your compass which is fun when you cant see anything!

[JM]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Thanks for the reply. I am not familiar with the Cullins. DO you know if there is a reasonably easy part to take to get near the peaks of at least one of them. There are reasons why I need as close as I can, but I am not a climber so like I said before I need to be sensible how I do this.

If you are not a climber then I wouldn't suggest you go to high up the Cuillins, they are pretty serious mountains, especially for the inexperienced. As has been mentioned before there is a great walk that takes you round the coast right into the heart of the mountains. From (near) Elgol to Loch Coruisk along the shore of Loch Scavaig (the sea) There is one exposed part of the path, but other than that it is an easy enough walk.



Pic of the loch from the top of the hills, looking out to sea towards Elgol.There are good veiws and paths of the hills from Sligachan (beside the hotel) and down at Glen Brittle (campsite, hostel)

drivin_me_nuts said:

I could wait until mid April, it's only a handful of weeks away. I would prefer it if it was a little warmer as well.

April can be as wet as March! Best time to visit would be May or early June. Usually decent weather, not many tourists, no midgies!

drivin_me_nuts said:

I am planning to stay for 2/3 days and then head off down to Glasgow and Aberdeen.

You realise Glasgow and Aberdeen aren't really near each other? Aberdeen is on the East coast 220 + miles (5+ hours) from Skye, and Glasgow is on the West side 150+ miles (3 hours) from Aberdeen.

drivin_me_nuts said:

I am in equal measure both excited and terribly apprehensive.

I hope it goes well and you enjoy yourself.

drivin_me_nuts said:

I will also stop off at Tallisker. Any chance of a decent Whiskey and i'll be happy!

Talisker do a good tour, do decent sized samples and have a well stocked shop, but check the local supermarket prices before spending big in the store!

[Fume troll]

Have you considered using a guide? It would take anypressure off you and let you enjoy a more challenging walk / climb without the worry of getting into bother.

http://www.skyeguides.co.uk/

Cheers,

FT.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Thank you for posting. I said to my missus that I would let ashes go where the mountains meet the sea. I think the picture you have included would be the perfect spot. Thank you very much indeed.

edit. I do realise how far apart Glasgow and Aberdeen are. There are people I would like to meet in both so I don't mind. Hopefully i'll be in a big wafty barge thing so the journeys themselves shouldn't be too much bother.

I did thnk about a guide - I really need to do this alone, hence my need for something reasonably easy and safe. I'll be as pragmatic as I can safety wise and I do need to invest in some stout walking shoes and waterproofs.

As much as I see the sense in going into May and June, I am very aware that I need to let go of my missus's ashes soon. It's now reached the stage where I need to let go and TBO I can't wait till June. It's proving to be quite literally unbearable and it is increasing day by day (if it makes any sense to you reading this).

Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Wednesday 2nd March 15:04

[JM]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Thank you for posting. I said to my missus that I would let ashes go where the mountains meet the sea. I think the picture you have included would be the perfect spot. Thank you very much indeed.

Two more views

[seebach]

Hello,
I used to live on Skye, if you want some local advice try going to Uig pottery (in Uig!) speak to Allen he was for many years part of the mountain rescue team on the island, so should be able to advise on a suitable spot.
If you do go to the pottery say hello to Allen for me (Dave formally owner of Orasay B&B)
Hope your trip goes well.

Dave
www.pension-williams.com
Seebach
Black Forest