Boat Trips North Skye a great way to see the island and wildlife from the sea. Some of our favorite trips include:

SkyeExplorer also known as “Wales and Puffins” – sailing from Uig www.puffinsandwhales.co.uk the boat SkyeXplorer II is a comfortable vessel that can carry 10 passengers. Your skipper is, Andi, originally from the well known seafaring nation of Switzerland,who has been skippering various vessels around the world for the last 20 years. Options include trips to see Puffins (when they are here), seals, Whale spotting cruises and private charters.

Based in Stein on the Waternish peninsula Divers Eye Boat trips www.divers-eye.co.uk have excursions to suit everyone, from family friendly seal trips and wildlife walkers to “an away day explorers extravaganza” the Co. offers a remote location drop off and pick up service, just give them a ring.

Operating out of Portree harbor Stardust boat trips www.skyeboat-trips.co.uk gives you stunning views of Portree and the surrounding area from the sea all combined with opportunities to see sea eagles and other maritime wildlife. A trip through the Sound of Raasay will give guests the chance to visit the Port of Robbers on the picturesque Isle of Rona, or spectacular neighbouring Isle of Raasay while taking in the breath-taking scenery of the Cuillin Hills and The Old Man of Storr. Stardust Boat Trips is also available for private charters, Birthdays, Hen and Stag parties or any other special occasion. The Co. can also cater for bespoke trips including fishing, filming, photography and inter Island water taxiing.

Brigadoon boat trips www.portree-boat-trips.co.uk also operate from Portree harbor. Their trips encompass wildlife, geology, photography, fishing and private charters. An evenings fishing in Portree aboard the Brigadoon can provide you the opportunity to catch a wide range of fish including mackerel and pollock. All equipment is provided along with exceptional local fishing knowledge .

 

 

Wildlife watching on Skye has something for everyone. Many guides also offer photographic tips. Trips and tours vary from intimate 1:1 excursions to small groups in mini buses or on boats. Many tours can be made to suit, we recommend you contact the operator and discuss your needs. Some trips can be “overnighters” and involve wild camping – how good is that?! Here is a selection of operators, check out their websites and give them a call ……………..

 

www.skyehighwildlife.com

Stewart Dawber and Skye High Wild Life have a passion for creating new images of iconic Scottish wildlife while tracking, watching and identifying behaviours and personalities.

Working on the west coast of Scotland tends to test photographic and wildlife spotting skills to the limit, ever changing weather and vast wild landscapes.  An otter is easy to spot in calm water but amazing to see in a stormy sea with a butterfish in it’s jaws. Identifying and viewing majestic Eagles both Golden and White tailed are part of a day out while making sure the birds are not disturbed.

 

Getting close enough to animals can be a challenge but with years of field craft experience and patience Skye High Wild life can help you to catch the perfect image.

www.skyeghillie.co.uk

Photo stalking –  If you would like to capture images of rare wild life and breath-taking land and seascapes then Skye Ghillie can be your guide with their offer of Family and bespoke packages.

Wilderness Adventures – What better way to experience Skye’s beauty and wildlife than by spending a night or two outdoors – set up a comfortable camp, build a fire and discover some basic survival skills.

Fly & shoreline fishing – If you’re fishing for the first time, an experienced angler trying your hand in Skye, or simply looking for a way of entertaining the family, Mitchell has a fishing trip that will fit the bill.

 

www.skyewildlife.com

Andy and Wendy Mclean have been watching and recording wildlife for over 30 years. Their tours have an excellent record of seeing two of Scotland’s most iconic species, the Golden Eagle and the Otter. There are seasonal variations in what you may see and experience. Although all tours are land based there are plenty of options to see aquatic life. While nothing is guaranteed with wildlife, tours manage regular sightings of Red Deer, Seals, Hen Harriers and Great Northern Divers. Rare sightings like a wandering Osprey are also possible.

The Tours are designed to see wildlife from the roadside without the need for long walks, however if tour members are up for it, then a short stroll can be arranged.

Tours can be run in low cloud, heavy rain, and gale force winds, and still manage great sightings – particularly of Otters. In reality it’s rare to have a whole day of bad weather, and often there are spectacular sightings as the weather finally breaks and the wildlife comes out.

http://www.aquaxplore.co.uk/

Aquaexplore, based in Elgol,  offer wildlife watching trips from either a rib boat or comfortable heated cabin cruiser – it just depends what type of marine experience you are looking for! With trips of varying duration to Eigg, Canna and Rum there are opportunities to see Basking Sharks, Minke Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoise, as well as spending time ashore on smaller islands off Skye. Excursions vary from and hour and a half to full days excursions with prices to fit all budgets.

 

Planning your stay on Skye

It seems to be the way of the world these days that we all need to get to places faster in order to spend less time there ! To help guests make the most of their stay on Skye we have pulled together a few issues to consider.

Travel around the island.

Skye is approximately 50 miles (80km) in length and 25 miles (40km) wide, many of the roads are single track and used just as much by sheep as by traffic. Be realistic when planning your time. Skye is not an island which lends itself to rush and hurry!

3 days on Skye and you are starting to relax and appreciate the full scope of what the island has to offer. You may get a sense of frustration that you will not be able to pack in all the places you have heard or read about. Remember some of Skye’s most spectacular sights are often not found in the guide books….. You will spend some time looking for the Fairy Glen and the Fairy Bridge (they are not signposted!) and possibly reward yourself with some delicious oysters at the Oyster Shed (www.skyeoysterman.co.uk )in Carbost. In the evening you may listen to some live music at the Edinbane Inn (www.edinbaneinn.co.uk) after taking in a tour of Talisker Distillery (www.discovering-distilleries.com/talisker) , in Carbost.

4 days on Skye and a few more boxes may have been ticked. Perhaps you will have developed a strong sense of curiosity about the surrounding islands, marine and wild life. You may take a boat trip to see basking sharks, whales, dolphins and otters or visit the small isles of Canna, Egg, Rum and Muck from Elgol. Shorter trips to see seals are on offer from Dunvegan Castle. The puffins may be residence on the Ascrib isles so a trip to see them from either Waternish or Uig is a possibility. Excursions from the harbour in Portree will, like as not, result in spotting a Sea Eagle.

5 days on Skye and things are becoming familiar. The Isle of Skye Baking Co (www. isleofskyebakingco.co.uk) has tickled your taste buds + taken a few pennies from your purse. You have found some great places to buy seafood in Portree; “Relish”  (www.relishskye.co.uk) in Wentworth St, “Just Hooked” (www.facebook.com/JustHooked/)  on the pier or “Brookie” with his van in the Co-op carpark. You have visited some of the creative businesses on Skye’s gallery and studio trail with their inspiring craftsmanship and artwork such as the beautiful wool products made by the Skye Weaver ( www.skyeweavers.co.uk) or the ceramics of the Edinbane Pottery (www.edinbane-pottery.co.uk). The journeys to these businesses have taken you through some stunning landscapes and to places with some wonderful walks suited to all ages and levels of fitness.

6 days on Skye and now you’re really wondering why on earth you decided to come all this way with so little time to see so much. The thought of packing your suitcase fills you with dread. Instead of enjoying what little time there is left, you study that guide book and make sure you have left nothing out, only to realise you have only scratched the surface. The dramatic landscape of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish Ridge have provided the backdrop for many a film set; Neist Point with its iconic lighthouse, the beguiling Island of Raasay, the Fairy Pools, the Clan Donald Centre, Flora McDonald’s grave, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Grave,  dinosaurs’ footprints…..the list is endless. There is nothing else for it than to drown your sorrows with a dram – The Stein Inn (www.stein-inn.co.uk) has over 125 to choose from – or have a relaxing Shiatsu / Reiki massage with Helen in the Armadilla (https://edinbane-self-catering.co.uk/reiki-shiatsu)

7 days on Skye and you will leave with a longing in your heart to return. You are well aware that the photographs you have taken will never transport the sound of the silence, the call of the curlew, the scent of the meadowsweet or the light as it melts into dark…………… but you could always post them at https://uk.pinterest.com/edinbaneselfcat/

 

On the Croft in February

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are often asked what we get up to on the croft in Winter. Strangely we are often busier when the days are short, the weather “challenging” and not so many people around! Right now we have had to repair some storm damage which destroyed one side of our cattle pen. We will be bringing the cows down the road from our neighbours’ shortly for their 6 monthly “worming and fluke” treatment. The vet will also be visiting to check if Lucky and Annie are in calf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another wee project is a “ring drain”. With the winters getting wetter and wetter we are constantly trying to manage rainwater runoff from the croft. The area around Tigh Dubh and the Armadilla seemed to be constantly wet so we have called in our local digger driver – “Finlay” – to dig a trench and now we are filling it with slotted pipes and drainage chips, which should do the trick. When you see a land drain working there is a great feeling of satisfaction!

 

 

 

 

 

We like to try and use local stone around the croft and have had some success in the past with a great fire pit and barbecue area. Just now we are working on a series of stone walls around our own house with the help of some wonderful local craftsmen.

There’s always maintenance on the cottages as well………………..

 

 

Family oriented outdoor activities on Skye can be a challenge to organise. Mixing and matching different members needs is never easy – mum and a new born, dad and a boisterous toddler or youngster, parents with a mix of younger and older siblings. Whether your family is looking for a new activity or experience or want to “hone skills”, help is available. We have selected 3 options  for family outdoor activities that are easily accessible from the croft in Edinbane.

“Whitewave: Skye’s Outdoor Centre,” a small busy family run centre in Kilmuir, North Skye, offering outdoor activities – kayaking, canoeing, climbing and abseiling, mountain boarding, hill walking, crating and archery. Sessions are half day and are for all ages and abilities, safety is a priority.  You can mix and match,  so Dad and a “wee one” can “go tandem” in a canoe while Mum and an older sibling can “shred the croft” on a mountain board or get to grip with a rock climb http://white-wave.co.uk/or just call and ask – 0044 (0)1470 542 414

 

 

 

 

 

Skye Adventures –  are up for pretty much anything that is FUN. Their family packages guarantee a memorable day. Adventures can be adapted for the whole family to enjoy, whatever the mix of interests and ages. Coasteering, gorge walking and rock climbing can be adapted to allow everyone to take part at their own level. Experience suggests that hill walking and fishing make for fantastic shared and memorable experiences.

Mountain-based adventures run on an all-day basis. Up to 2 activities – say gorge walking and rock climbing  – can be matched to create a fun-packed day. Children should be over 10, and accompanied by at least one parent. All technical equipment is supplied, boots, waterproofs and warm clothing can also be made available. Rather than a set timetable, adventures run according to the wishes of each family. Activities are available year-round have a look at www.skyeadventure.co.uk or give them a call ! 0044 (0)7785 962391 or 0044 (0)7818 884609

 

 

 

 

Raasay Outdoor Centre – a 20 minute ferry trip from Skye will take you to the island of Raasay and Raasay House an 18^th century mansion, now the home of Raasay Outdoor Centre. The centre is open year round and offers a range of family based activities; Climbing, Coasteering, Kayaking, Gorge Walking, Archery and Sailing.  Families can “mix and match” with a difference – If some want high adrenaline and others just want to “chill out” both can be catered for – the surroundings of Raasay house are stunning, the food in the café memorable. Packed lunches and bicycle hire are on offer www.raasay-house.co.uk  or give them a ring –0044 (0)1478 660 300 for a friendly chat.