Walk Across the Isle of Skye

Skye offers some of the best walking in Britain, with rolling hills, soaring crags and sleepy fishing villages to explore. This six-day self-guided walking tour will introduce you to the best of Skye, from the jagged crest of Black Cuillin ridge to the tranquil beauty of Loch Coruisk

The largest island in the Inner Hebrides and also the most northerly, Skye is like nowhere else in the British Isles. The island’s coastline is a series of bays and peninsulas emanating from a centre dominated by the Cuillin hills, leading one writer to describe it as the “lobster’s claw” of Britain! Skye offers some of the most dramatic and challenging mountain terrain in the UK. At the heart of the Black Cuillin ridge lies one of the longest rock climbs in Britain – the ascent of Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh. In the same ridge is Sgur Dearg (the Inaccessible Pinnacle), the only peak in Scotland that requires technical climbing skills to reach the summit. Skye’s not all soaring crags and superlative climbing though. There are plenty of charming villages, ancient monuments (including the storybook Dunvegan Castle) and whiskey distilleries to keep you occupied!

This six-day (seven-night) self-guided walking trip is a great introduction to the island, its landscape, history and culture. The route takes you from the quiet port of Armadale, over the green slopes of Sleat to the picturesque village of Tarskavaig. You’ll then head for the moors and the deserted hamlets of Suisnish and Boreraig, before taking in the spectacular Loch Coruisk. Keeping with Tolkeinesque place names, you’ll round off the trip with a hike to The Storr, the island’s most famous landmark, which serves as a sentinel marking the start of the Trotternish Ridge. If all this sounds bewildering don’t worry - you’ll be supplied with a detailed map and comprehensive guidebook, and there are also a handful of museums and archaeological sites en route where you can learn more about Skye’s fascinating history, from the Mesolithic to the Clearances. Then at the end of the day you can relax and enjoy some fine dining in the hand-picked bed and breakfasts, country inns and guesthouses dotted along the path – your bags will be waiting for you when you arrive.

This is an awesome trip, but it’s no walk in the park. For a start, there’s no waymarking – you’ll need to be competent at navigating as some of the route is through high mountain areas with only a vague suggestion of a trail. You’ll also need a good level of fitness and some experience of hill walking; if you lack either of these you’d be better off trying a shorter walk first, perhaps two to three days. Finally, there’s the question of midges. Not really a problem when you’re walking and the breeze is blowing, but these small biting insects will probably hone on in you at some point, especially if you’re near water. For most it’s only a minor annoyance, but if you really can’t tolerate itching then maybe Skye in summer isn’t the place for you! These walking holidays are best suited to adventurous lovers of landscape, those who prefer their paths unmarked and unpeopled. Foodies will enjoy the trip too – the hotels and guesthouse where you’ll be staying have been carefully chosen for their excellent dining (their rooms aren’t bad either!). And if you like whisky, well, think of this as a pilgrimage!