Having being a feature of Skye since 1965 The Skye Museum of Island Life is a popular attraction on the island. It charts the history of life on the island during the nineteenth century. Despite it’s age it is still a reasonably accessible attraction and we enjoyed our visit. You can also link this visit to some other attractions in the area:
Duntulm Castle
Kilvaxter Souterrain
Kilmuir Cemetery
Location of The Skye Museum of Island Life
Take the A87 to Uig, then follow the A855 north for approximately 6 miles. There is a brown road sign at the junction for the museum on the right hand side. This is the same road you take for the Kilmuir Cemetery to see Flora MacDonald’s grave. There is parking on the right hand side of the road. If you need a disabled parking space look on the left just after the museum building. Just before the cattle grid you will see a couple of disabled parking spaces. This area is all tarmac so access is nice and smooth. Just follow the paved path to the left to enter the museum. Sarah managed our visits with just two walking sticks but you would manage with a rollator or standard self propelled wheelchair. The layout will be a bit small for a large powered wheelchair.
Inside the museum
Under 15’s are free and adult entry is £5 per person. You enter and exit the same way so if you see something interesting in the gift shop on your way in you can purchase it on the way out! We maybe did that on our visit…
The museum is outdoors and split into about 6 thatched cottages. Each cottage represents a phase of island life in the nineteenth century. A paved path runs between all the cottages. in places it is a little uneven but Sarah managed just fine. There is a steep slope down to one cottage so a handrail has been installed to assist you.
Space inside the cottages is tight, they do reflect the era in an honest way. But if you are patient you should be able to get through the doorways and see what is inside. It is a fascinating insight into island life and how tough it must have been. You will also see that many of the ways of life and traditions still survive on Skye today.
We visited on a rainy day so had to dodge the rain between the cottages. Make sure to wear a waterproof coat if it is raining as you will get wet whilst you enjoy your visit. You haven’t really had the true Skye experience if it hasn’t rained!
At the bottom of the car park is a toilet block which includes a disabled toilet. We didn’t use the facilities so can’t give any more information than that. The toilets are open during the museum’s opening hours.
After all the mountains you will have seen when driving around the island and the castles you may have already visited, the tiny croft houses are a stark contrast and give a very interesting insight into a completely different side of life on the island.