The second largest of the Scottish islands, the Isle of Skye was bestowed with the Old Norse name sky-a – ‘cloud island’ – by the Vikings, an allusion to the mysterious mists that invariably envelop the Cuillin Hills. Stretching for 50 miles to the west of the Scottish mainland, Skye is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, featuring shimmering lochs, narrow peninsulas, spectacular mountains, and untamed moorland.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the scenery that draws visitors to Skye in their hordes – there’s something quite magical in an ethereal sense that connects the island with its Scandinavian neighbours as much as with the traditions and history of the mainland. It’s impossible not to be overawed but, the landscape aside, there’s more to Skye than hiking through the mountainous interior or strolling around the fringe of a loch as you unwind from the stresses of modern life.
The hidden gems are plentiful – stay for less than a week and you’ll barely have time to catch your breath – so arrive on the island with a patient, open mind and let a journey of discovery show you what many visitors fail to experience.