Strathaird – The Isle of Skye’s most enchanting corner

Glasnakille is at the end of a long, beautiful road – breathtaking.

All photos taken from Strathaird peninsula – the most beautiful corner of Skye.

Wildlife outnumbers people!

Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his last night on the island before being spirited away with the help of Flora Macdonald!

Here, you can do the following:

• stunning coastal walks
• visit a ‘ghost village’
• observe the local wildlife

Glasnakille – a traditional highland crofting village

The village of Glasnakille is a traditional, working sheep-crofting community with views over the small islands (Rhum, Eigg and Muck). It sits opposite the Sleat peninsular.

On a clear day, you can see the Ardnamurchan coastline to the SW.  

You can explore more Strathaird activities in more detail below:

Around Glasnakille (1 mile or less)

Spar cave

Most recently visited by Bear Grylls and Ben Stiller (him from Hollywood!), the spar cave is world famous and justifiably so. Just remember to go when it’s low tide!

Dun Grugaig

An iron age fort perched on the cliff top it’s tricky to get to and is difficult to located during summer months when it’s obscured by foliage. Ask the locals to point it out to you.

Prince Charles’ cave

You can easily get to the cave from Elgol. Maybe you’d like to take it in, as part of a coastal walk from Glasnakille to Elgol? Its the place where the Bonnie Prince Charlie (heir to the Scottish throne) spent his last night on the island before fleeing Scotland for exile, never to return.

McAlister’s beach and tomb

A very pretty walk through Glasnakille towards Drinan will take you past McAlister’s beach and tomb. McAlister owned the local farm in Glasnakille. 

Drinan

The next village along the coast from Glasnakille is a beautiful stroll and allows you to get your bearings of this part of Strathaird. Just walk up to the T junction in Glasnakille and just  carry on! Once at Drinan, you can decide whether to turn back or carry on and complete the loop via Elgol.

Elgol and surrounding area (5 miles or less)

Elgol

One mile away,  has arguably one of the best view in the entire UK. The heart-stopping vista across Loch Coruisk to the majesty of the Cullin ridge.

From here you can take a boat trip (there are several to choose from) to the heart of the Cullin. Or visit Soay or Canna, Eigg and Rhum (The Small Isles). Several boat trips enable you to see seals, dolphins, basking sharks and other amazing wildlife nearby.

Within Elgol, there is a critically acclaimed restaurant, Coruisk House and a lovely bistro, The Elgol Bistro. Elgol also boasts two coffee shops and a village store (with wonderful cakes!). Elgol Village Hall is host to several ceilidhs and traditional (and not so traditional) concerts each year.

Camasurnary

A fantastic full day walk which takes you to the beach at Camasurnary then on to Elgol. Be sure to have a lift back to Kilmarie to pick up your car again.

If you start at Elgol (and do the reverse walk), the view is almost better.  You have the advantage of seeing the impressive Cullin peaks advancing towards you as you approach Camasurnary beach. Please note, the path between Camasurmany and Elgol is very tricky and potentially hazardous. Please take extra care.

Clearance or ‘ghost’ villages (Keppoch, Suisish or Boreraig)

I recommend a visit to a ghost village (forcibly emptied during the notorious highland clearances). It can be a profound experience. Suisnish or Boreraig are also stunning coastal walks.

Kilmarie beach and graveyard

Kilmarie House use to be the home of Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull fame. The beach and graveyard make an interesting visit and Dun Ringill, a small iron age fort (Broch) is nearby, as is a neolithic burial cairn.

Blaven – the mountain  Blà Bheinn

Called Scotland’s most magnificent mountain, is one of the most accessible Munroe on Skye on a good clear day. Park at the Blaven car park NG560215, walk back along the road and you’ll see the path on the left running up to the mountain.