Rubh’ an Dunain – Point of the Dun – https://canmore.org.uk/site/11028/skye-rubh-an-dunain-viking-canal lies south of the beach at Glen Brittle, where Loch Brittle meets the Sound of Soay. The return walk is round 8 miles and takes a couple of hours each way. Take a picnic, have a swim – just a perfect day on Skye! https://www.whentobewhere.com/travel-listing/rubh-dunain The path is well defined for most of the way …… but hey why would you want to go?

Well apart from the stunning views , the site at the end of the peninsula is full of archeological sites. The Vikings constructed a canal the length of the burn that joins the freshwater loch – Loch na h Airde, to the sea in the Sound of Soay. This provided a sheltered harbor (or hiding?!) for their long boats. In 2009 archaeologists discovered boat timbers dated to the 12th century, a stone-built quay in the loch and a system to maintain a constant water level in the loch.

 

The other great surprise is the “cleared village”, emptied of it’s inhabitants in the 19th century – the classic example of a fine “tacksman’s house – the family home of the MacAskills.

 

 

 

The Dun (a fortified site) has spectacular views back up to the Cuillin and out to sea, the size of the stones used in the construction are enormous and we can only imagine the amount of gruntin’  took to be put in place!

Some folk camp out here, we can only imagine what a great experience that would be! Once you are out on the peninsula the views of Rum http://www.isleofrum.com/and back to the Cuillin are fantastic. Once you have walked back to the beach at Glenbrittle perhaps you would like to head for the Old Inn at Carbost http://www.theoldinnskye.co.uk to round off the perfect day?

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Perfect days on Skye – “Spending time with friends in high places”

The Cuillin (An Cuilthionn or An Cuiltheann) is the draw for many people to visit Skye, it is a perfect place to spend time with friends in high places. The Black Cuillin should be distinguished from the Red Cuillin (na Beanntan Dearga, Red Hills) which are lower less rocky and have fewer scrambles or climbs. The most famous individual Red Cuillin is Glamaig, the focus for an annual hill run, regarded by many as the toughest hill race in the UK. The two ranges are separated by Glen Sligachan, a beautiful scenic place to walk in its own right The highest point of the Cuillin, is Sgurr Alasdair at 992 m (3,255 ft).

Respect is the word most associated with the Cuillin, while both Red and Black have routes that are suited to those with limited experience all excursions requires good navigational and map reading skills, heading off wearing a pair of trainers and a mobile phone in your pocket would be to invite disaster. The easier routes require a reasonable level of fitness while many of the rock climbs and the complete ridge traverse demand high levels of fitness, map reading and mountain craft skills. A day in the Cuillin is to be treasured and remembered.
There are guides who can provide a range of services from single day assents to full ridge traverses. They all know each other and their specialties, if you are too late to book with one they can usually pass you on to someone else. Two of our favorite guides are www.skyeguides.co.uk and www.skyeadventure.co.uk

Making recommendations is always difficult but if it is your first visit to Skye for the Black Cuillin we would suggest Bruach na Frithe (Slope of the deer) or Sgurr na Banchdich (the disputed gaelic translation being small pox) while on the Red Cuillin – Marsco (seagull hill – norse translation) will always provides an exhilarating expedition. The mountain also featured in a Runrig (www.runrig.co.uk) song “nightfall on Marsco in the 1981 album “Recovery”.

Bike rides, forest trails, wild swimming and a traditional music session – another perfect day on Skye – One of our favorites bike rides is the Glenbrittle / Gleneyenort forest trails loop – a ride of between 9 and 10 miles that takes you high above Gleneynort, and over the bealach (pass) into Glenbrittle. There is a good chance that you will see Golden Eagles, the downhills are exhilarating, the uphills make you grunt, sometimes you’re surrounded by forest, a few minutes later there is an uninterrupted view out to Canna and Rum. As you ride over the bealach and onto the upper slopes of Glenbrittle, the Cuillin in there is front of you.

So you have grunted, you’ve puffed – had a picnic what next? How about a wild swim? If you have completed the Glenbrittle / Gleneynort loop there are plenty of opportunities-In Glenbrittle the Fairy pools can provide a memorable “wild dip” and when the tide is out the beach is a vast expanse to enjoy, the problem is that there are always people around……….. but let us know that this is your plan + we’ll tell you a few secret places.

Can it get better? YES! how about some traditional music – and maybe a beer … or two? The music session is an important part of cultural life in Scotland, especially the Highlands and Islands – they happen all the time, anyone can join in, if you have a few tunes of your own or want to learn some new ones don’t be shy! Near by Glenbrittle is the Old Inn at Carbost (http://www.theoldinnskye.co.uk/) – some say “ahhh 3 days off your life every time you go through the door” not true! For wild fiddlin’ and foot tappin’ it’s hard to beat. Closer to home if you are staying in Merman Cottage or Tigh Dubh our very own local – The Edinbane Inn (http://www.edinbaneinn.co.uk/)- can usually score 99 on the craik!

Perfect days on Skye will be a collection of ideas and experiences to help guests to make the most of their time and stay on Skye. First up – a boat trip and a walk – The Misty Isles www.mistyisleboattrips.co.uk boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk and then a walk back to Elgol.

The trip over to Loch Coruisk takes about 45 mins and starts with a humorous safety briefing from the skipper including a warning that if you need to use the boats “facilities” this will involve walking past the man at the wheel who is an infamous pick pocket. Leaving Elgol you will see the “Honecombe Rock” and travelers will often experience sightings of seals, minke whale, dolphins and porpoises along the way. The journey over will also include an introduction to the “Bad Step” – (no – not a naughty step!) a section of the walk back to Elgol that requires walkers to have a good head for heights and a bit of dexterity , (if you fall you will land in the sea) – seriously it’s not that difficult and it is possible for a dog to make the “step”. Loch Coruisk is often referred to as the “Heart of the Cuillin” – when you are there all you can do is look up – The central, most prominent peak behind the loch , is Sgurr a Ghreadaidh. To its right is  Sgurr a Mhadaidh  .The west side of Coruisk is dominated by Sgurr Dubh Mor If you have the time, it is worth detouring a further mile or so upstream for dramatic views of the “In Pinn” (Inaccessible Pinacle), and Sgurr Coir’ an Lochain. There are some stunning rocks around the loch – perfect for dancers to practice their

“poises“.  The walk back to Elgol takes between 3 and 4 hours, you will pass the beach at Camasunary and the Mountain Bothy, which has recently been moved from one end of the beach to the other. Top tip – if you are feeling “peckish” when you arrive in Elgol make sure to visit Hermione’s shop. Hermione’s welcome is always, very warm, her cakes are seriously naughty and the coffee is great!  The exclusive range of hand painted buoys are unusual.

Boat trips from the South of Skye – a great way to see landscapes of Skye that you would never see from the land as well as sea and bird life.

www.seaprobeatlantis.com – operate from Kyleakin, a glass bottom boat that takes you on a tour above and below the water – a great experience. The company also operate “Spirit of Adventure”  for fishing and whale watching trips and “Wild Spirit” a rib boat that offers a range of trips to different locations including the “Applecross Adventure” that includes a trip to the famous Applecross Inn on the main land with an overland return tip over the stunning “Bealach na Ba” – (the pass of the cattle).

www.bellajane.co.uk – operates from Elgol with a wide range of trips on offer to nearby Loch Coruisk or further afield with their Rib boat Co. – “AquaExplore” to the “Small Isles” – Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna. The Company offers long trips, short trips, flexi trips and pick up, just give them a call + see what can be arranged. The boat has a weather canopy and wheelhouse seating for comfort and shower capes are available on board. With wild life and local history commentaries given on all trips you will come away with a wealth of information – text versions of commentaries are available in German, French, Italian and Spanish.

www.mistyislesboattrips.co.uk

Operate from Elgol and are one of the longest established boat trips on Skye with trips to Loch Coruisk and the “Small Isles”. Wedding parties, film crews and climbers have all taken advantage of the company’s services – from the gaelic introduction at the start of your trip to the “craik” on the voyage from the skipper and crew you are guaranteed a great day out!

Both Bella Jane and Misty Isles trips get heavily booked, especially in the summer so advance calls are advisable as Elgol is a remote but vibrant location. It would be a shame to make the journey to the village and not make it onto either of the boat co.s trips.