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Sleat - Caisteal Maol
Caisteal Maol is a prominent ruin, sitting on a small hill just east of Kyleakin. This walk is short and straightforward, though you will cross a beach which is best avoided at high tide, and the last section up to the ruin is on steep grass. Its name, which translates as 'bare castle', was given to it after it became a ruin. Formerly it was Dunakin - the castle of Haakon.
Edinbane Pottery
The pottery at Edinbane produces and sells high quality, handcrafted pottery. It really is wonderful stuff, and I've probably got rather too much of it around my own house. I particularly like the “Len’s Slap Dash” design, but have a look at the range and make up your own mind. I'd be very surprised if you can't find something you like here.
Trotternish - Rubha Hunish
This is an outstanding hike to the furthest north point of Skye. From the end of the point I have seen dolphins, whales and a basking shark, all at close range. The route is around 6 kilometres return, with fairly easy going for most of the way. A steep section down an inland cliff looks more daunting than it is, but it will test those with no head for heights. Begin from the small car park just off the main road between Duntulm and Kilmaluag, at NG422742. A path runs pretty much due north from here, keeping to the high ground.
Island overview
The Isle of Skye lies close to the north-west coast of the Scottish Highlands. It is the largest and the furthest north of the islands in the Inner Hebrides. The name ‘Skye’ is probably from the Norse words Ski (cloud) and Ey (island). In Gaelic it is normally referred to as An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, which translates as The Winged Isle - from the wing-like shape formed by the two northern peninsulas of Waternish and Trotternish. The island is marked on old Roman maps as "Scitis". In English it's sometimes referred to as the "Misty Isle" (Eilean a’ Cheo, in Gaelic). That one seems a wee bit too romantic for my taste. And there’s more…but that’s enough to confuse anyone already.
Skye is a romantic place though. The history, the legends, the scenery, the weather, the music and the poetry combine to produce something very special indeed. It is that peculiar magic that draws visitors to the island from all around the world, and makes it Scotland’s biggest tourist destination after Edinburgh. It has been said that Skye is conclusive proof that, sometimes, God was just showing off.