Recently voted 4th best island in the world to visit by National Geographic magazine, first time visitors to Skye will return home with memories to last a lifetime and may well become one of thousands of previous visitors who return year after year…
Mountaineers come for the jagged Cuillins, the most challenging in Britain; beachcombers will find coral beaches. Indeed the Isle of Skye is a walkers’ paradise. From family walks on the spectacular coastline to dramatic scrambles in the Cuillin mountains, the island provides fantastic walking for everyone. Below is a list of walks Angus and I are gradually building up for you.
A Walk to Waternish Point
A Wander Along Carnach
A Quiet Walk to Loch Cuithir
Wildlife is abundant. In the sea: bottle nosed, common and white sided dolphins, porpoise, basking sharks, minke and sperm whales, grey seals, otters… Overhead: goldeneagles, sea eagles and hen harriers, take the leading roles among a huge cast of and sea birds and mammals which make our Highland area an ornithologist’s and photographer’s paradise.
The magical peninsula of Waternish is resonant with romance, history and legend whilst offering a variety of outdoor activities and places to see. The cottage overlooks the historic village of Stein, originally conceived in the eighteenth century by William Telford as a model fishing village on the shores of Loch Bay. Today it is home to the renowned Loch Bay Restaurant.
There’s plenty to do, with Waternish home to several popular visitor attractions such as Diver’s Eye Boat Trips and Dandelion Designs Gallery in Stein or Skyeskyns, a little further along the road.
From Auld Orwell Cottage you can also explore Dunvegan Castle and gardens, home of Clan Macleod, and continue along the road to the beautiful Coral Beach (both within a 20 minute drive) or travel into Portree and on to the Trotternish Peninsula with its fabulous walks, fantastical rock formations and stunning views. Alternatively, head to the magnificent Cuillin Mountains, Glendale and the lighthouse at Neist Point, or even take a ferry for a day trip to Harris or North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.
Whatever you seek, full days with long summer evenings and dramatic sunsets or a cosy fireside winter break in an unspoilt location with breathtaking dark skies and star-filled vistas, you will be a most welcome guest in our cottage.
Waternish itself has three Dark Sky discovery sites and has become an increasingly popular winter destination with many visitors coming for the stunning stargazing and aurora sightings. Skye has the darkest skies in the UK and Waternish is the darkest part of Skye.
For more information, please visit www.visit-waternish.co.uk
