Study English in Skye - About the Isle of Skye

About Skye

Background

The Isle of Skye is situated on the north-west coast of mainland Scotland and is the largest of the islands in the Inner Hebrides. The name ‘Skye’ is usually referred to in Scottish Gaelic as An t-Eilean Sgitheanach, meaning "The Winged Isle" or some people call it by its more poetic name Eilean a'Cheò, meaning "Isle of Mist".

There are approximately 10,000 people living on Skye which increases dramatically during the summer when tourists visit the island. Skye is Scotland ’s second largest tourist destination after Edinburgh and when you visit you will understand why. The landscape, the culture, the history and the weather all make a lasting impression on the visitor and is the reason why so many are drawn to the Isle.

Landscape

Skye’s coastline is irregular and scattered with bays, sea arches, caves, cliffs, waterfalls and tidal islands. This dramatic coastline doesn’t really have any sandy beaches, but it is this that gives the island its own unique character.

Within Skye there are many different landscapes. Skye has standing stones, brochs, ruined buildings and deserted settlements and is also surrounded by the islands Rona, Raasay, Scalpay and Soay.

There is the main mountain range, the Cuillins, which are an impressive and dramatic sight. In the north-east there is the Trotternish Peninsula, with the famous ridge that forms the iconic pinnacle - The Old Man of Storr. The ridge is also home to the Quiraing, another impressive area of pinnacles and gullies.

Places & Events of Interest

Apart from the impressive landscapes, which for some visitors are the main attractions, for music lovers there is the Blas Festival in September that celebrates Scottish Highland Music with live performances around the island. Also, there is the Skye Music festival, held at Ashaig Airstrip near Broadford in May.

You can visit the world famous Talisker distillery where a taste of the whiskey will help keep you going for the rest of the day.

There are also numerous castles to see, such as the famous Eilean Donan castle on its rocky promontory and stunning location in Lochalsh, just across from Skye. On the island itself there is Armadale Castle and the grounds and castle at Dunvegan amongst others.

Getting Around

Skye is linked to the mainland by the Skye Bridge while ferries sail from Armadale in the south of the island to Mallaig, and from Kylerhea to Glenelg. There are local bus services on the island, mainly starting from Portree or Broadford. however, these are infrequent most of the year. There is a regular service during the summer when the majority of tourists arrive. If you want to move around Skye during your stay, a car is the best option.

Further Information

It is recommended that you bring suitable clothes that will protect you from Skye’s unpredictable weather. Make sure you have plenty of warm clothes and waterproofs when you arrive.

Whether you prefer to get away from modern life and enjoy being in dramatic natural landscapes, or whether you like to discover cultural places and events, below are some sites you can visit to find out more about the Isle of Skye.