Revealing how accessible Skye is For All
Looking across Portree Harbour from the village there is a pristine piece of green land. Usually adorned with a flagpole which sadly broke in a early winter storm of 2020. This area is home to the Nicolson Clan Memorial. The walk from the village centre (Somerled Square) to the memorial is approximately 2.5km or 1.5 miles . Walking halfway on the footpath and halfway on the pathless Scorrybreac Road. Sarah found it quite tricky in places which we will describe at length below.
The Marble Line just outside Broadford is the route of the old marble quarry train. It was in use in the early 20th Century. In more recent times it has been lovingly restored by Broadford and Strath Community Company into an accessible footpath. Linking to other paths in the area the Marble Line is a popular way to see Strath Suardal, the deserted villages of Suishnish and Boreraig and Old Corry. For our walk we simply concentrated on the Marble Line itself.
Continue reading “The Marble Line”Amy’s Place, formerly The Blue Shed Cafe at Torrin, is run by Mark and Alison not Amy. The Tea Room is named after their daughter, Amy, who suffered from Lupus and epilepsy and sadly died in December 2018 aged only 23. In honour of her Mark and Alison have painted the cafe purple and decorated it with butterflies. Inside they tell Amy’s story in their menus and have a collecting tin for Lupus UK. There is a bookcase of second hand books available for a donation to Lupus UK.
Spring is coming to Skye so we went to the snowdrop day at Dunvegan Castle . It may be later than elsewhere in the country but after a stormy winter it is very welcome. The yearly snowdrop days at Dunvegan Castle are a chance to celebrate these first signs of life. As well as a chance to raise funds for local charities.
The Ord Coral beaches are a hidden gem on the Sleat Peninsula of Skye. You can truly appreciate the coral beaches at low tide so check the tide times before you go. The lower the tide the more exploring you can do. It is a short walk of approximately 3km or 1.8 miles but you can explore further if you wish. Not suitable for wheelchair users but a gentle walk for folks who don’t want to over exert themselves.
Dunscaith Castle or Dun Sgathaich in Gaelic is a ruined fortification of the Clan MacLeod. The ruins still sit atop a large rock on the edge of Loch Eishort near the small township of Tokavaig. It is a short walk to Dunscaith Castle, approximately 2km or 1.25 miles in all and the views are tremendous. Underfoot the ground is quite rough with no discernable path after the cottages & a cobbled beach area. Not a walk for everyone but achievable for many.
It is a short walk to the ruins of Dun Fiadhairt just north of Dunvegan. Here you find the remains of an Iron Age Broch some 17 metres in diameter. The structure reveals internal and external broch walls and doorways. Not a walk for wheelchair users but only a mile or so for those wanting to stretch their legs. If there has been heavy rain the ground is very very boggy so maybe visit in drier weather.
The Fingal Centre is situated in the same building as the library and the school. The access is through the library. There are two sides to the centre, the wet side and the dry side. The wet side is of course the swimming pool, sauna and steam room. And the dry side contains the gym and sports halls and courts. This is where team games are played and classes are held. The doors are not automatic and quite stiff but the staff are very helpful.
Continue reading “The Fingal Centre”The walk to Hugh’s Castle or Caisteal Uisdein in Gaelic is a hidden gem on Skye. On the Trotternish Peninsula just south of Uig. This walk is not suitable for wheelchair users due to the terrain near the castle . However it is an easy 3 mile walk with little undulation and fairly good underfoot after rain. Good for gaining a bit of fitness or simply enjoying your surroundings. Off the beaten track and a beautiful spot to find yourself exploring.
The Old Moll Road is a single track road which bypasses the A87 between Sconser and the lower end of Druim na Cleochd. It was always a quiet road on Skye but during a storm in September 2018 a huge chunk of the road was washed away. The road is unlikely to be repaired so it has become a bit of a peaceful walking haven. The landslip is closer to the Druim na Cleochd end so our walk starts at Sconser.
