The Skye Trail

This guidebook describes The Skye Trail, a challenging week-long trek across the largest island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Skye. From Rubha Hunish in the north, the Skye Trail heads along the Trotternish Ridge and past the Cuillin to Broadford in the south. Suitable for experienced backpackers and mountain walkers.

Seasons

spring and summer are likely to be the best months for walking on Skye, with early May being popular to avoid the midges; longer daylight hours also make it possible to cover large distances

Centres

begins at Rubha Hunish at the northern end of Skye; passes through the island capital - Portree - after three days; finishes at the large village of Broadford

Difficulty

a week-long route for experienced backpackers; self-reliance, fitness and good navigational skills will all be called upon

Must See

the stunning headland at Rubha Hunish, the Trotternish Ridge, the spectacular rock scenery of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, picturesque Portree, walking in the shadow of the mighty Cuillin, the abandoned village of Boreraig

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Overview

This guidebook describes the challenging 80-mile (128km) Skye Trail, a week-long trek across the magical Isle of Skye, the largest island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides. As yet unwaymarked, the route demands navigational skill, fitness and self-reliance and is therefore suitable for experienced backpackers and mountain walkers.

The trail is presented in 7 stages of between 7¼ (11.5km) and 17¾ miles (28.5km), plus an alternative stage to include an ascent of Bla Bheinn. Alongside detailed route description, 1:50,000 OS mapping and stunning photography, the guide provides a wealth of information about Skye’s rich history, culture, literature, geology, wildlife and plants, as well as practical advice such as when to go, what to take and where to stay. Blending information with inspiration, the result is an ideal companion to trekking this magnificent route.

From the headland of Rubha Hunish, through Portree to Broadford, the Skye Trail provides the walker with a tour of Skye's most iconic landforms - including the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr and the Cuillin - as well as of its turbulent history, from Iron Age forts to the ruins of Clearance villages. Whether making use of island hospitality or opting for the freedom of a tent, completing the continuous route represents a real challenge and a fitting match for the epic landscapes found on Skye.

Contents

Contents
Introduction
Early history
The MacDonalds and the MacLeods
Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald
The Highland Clearances
The crofters’ struggle
Skye today
The Cuillin pioneers
Geology
Wildlife and plants
Culture, music and language
Preparation and planning
When to go
Travel
Money and communications
Accommodation
What to take
Navigation and maps
Access
Weather
Midges and ticks
Safety and emergencies
Using this guide
The Skye Trail
Stage 1 Rubha Hunish to Flodigarry
Stage 2 Flodigarry to the Storr
Stage 3 Storr to Portree via the coastline
Stage 4 Portree to Sligachan
Stage 5 Sligachan to Elgol
Stage 6 Elgol to Torrin
Stage 6B Bla Bheinn alternative – Camasunary to Torrin
Stage 7 Torrin to Broadford

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Glossary of Gaelic words
Appendix E Further reading

Updates

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May 2019

page 102 Elgol - Rose Croft B&B now closed but there are a number of alternatives:

Self-contained accommodation : contact Suilven B&B, Elgol,Suilvenelgol@btinternet.com, Tel: 01471 866379

or

Glasnakille Wigwams has no website or phone only FB https://www.facebook.com/glasnakillewigwamelgol

July 2018

The map on p81 shows the position of the old bothy (now a private dwelling), the new one is on the eastern side of Camasunary, beyond the private house as you head towards the sea.

Sept 2017

page 102 Elgol

Rose Croft B&B now closed but there is an alternative self-contained accommodation available : contact Suilven B&B, Elgol, Suilvenelgol@btinternet.com, Tel: 01471 866379

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