Revealing how accessible Skye is For All
Neist Point is the most westerly point on the Isle of Skye. Located on the Duirinish peninsula it has been one of the must see places for visitors to the island. But be prepared for the journey there, as it isn’t for the faint hearted. You are sharing a single track road for 20 miles with everyone else trying to see this iconic view!
We visited The Noost just one day after it opened it’s window hatch for the very first time. Conveniently situated next to the ferry terminal at Sconser The Noost is a welcome addition to the area.
Continue reading “The Noost”Lealt Waterfalls are located on the A885, 13 miles north of Portree. In 2018 the Staffin Community Trust heavily invested in the Lealt Falls area, adding new car parking and a viewing platform. This has been a welcome addition to the Trotternish Peninsula and also makes the view of Lealt Falls very accessible.
Columba 1400 is located just off the A855 on the right hand side as you enter Staffin from Portree. Purpose built in 2000 it offers residential courses for disadvantaged young people. Columba 1400 also acts as a bit of a community hub as they have a restaurant, gift shop, library, and sports pitch that are open to the public.
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 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”Portree library is located in the Fingal Centre situated next to Portree High School.
There are two car parks, one off the Dunvegan Road just off the junction near the pedestrian crossing and one off Viewfield Road at the front of the school building. Both offer disabled parking spaces, there are 8 spaces in the rear car park. The one to the front is nearer the entrance but is often busier and as the outdoor facilities for the school are near here it may be difficult to find a space at certain times. The front doors are automatic doors and the library door has a push pad. I remember on one of my visits there as I headed towards the library door a helpful schoolboy pushed the pad for me so the door was open and waiting as I arrived there. Seems chivalry lives on in the Highlands.
Continue reading “Portree Library”Firstly the walk to Glamaig Waterfalls is not suitable for wheelchair users or rollator users. However it is a rewarding gentle walk of just under 2 km or 1.25 miles in old money! It is on a good path and very easy going. The Glamaig waterfalls walk would be perfect for anyone who is a little unfit or is looking to regain some fitness by starting with some gentle walks. Depending on how fast you walk it will take from about 40 minutes to go there and back. Maybe a little longer if you need to. Even after rain the path is a good surface to walk on, and the waterfall is even more spectacular. Don’t get this walk confused with the Allt Dearg Waterfalls on the opposite side of Glen Sligachan, we’ll cover that another time!
You can find the Isle of Skye Baking Company set back from the A87 Dunvegan Road on the way out of Portree. If you are heading out of Portree it is the turning just before the big Howden’s building. A real hidden gem. The building itself was formerly a Woollen Mill. There is no allocated disabled parking spaces but the car park is large, smooth and on a level with the front door.
The Aros Centre is now the Isle of Skye Candle Company Visitor Centre. Same building, same place but all new interior and offering.
The Aros Centre on the edge of Portree is home to so many different things for the local community and visitors to Skye. Primarily a tourist will see it as a visitors centre, with gifts, books and a cafe. For Skye it serves as a community hub, cinema, theatre and meeting place. Here we will explore what the Aros Centre Portree has to offer in terms of accessibility for the disabled.
Continue reading “Aros Centre Portree”