Isle of Skye Attractions

: Forty acres of trees, shrubs and flowers grace this sheltered location. Plantings date back 200 years. Enjoy water gardens, a variety of walking trails and the chance to see local wildlife.
Armadale, Sleat, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV45 8RS

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This modern museum, cultural venue, and shopping complex on the southern edge of Portree gives visitors a glimpse into the history, of Skye, the traditional way of life on the island, and the Gaelic language.
Viewfield Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9EU

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Broadford is the second-largest settlement on Skye and a popular holiday centre, with a full range of visitor facilities and accommodation options. A former centre for quarrying Skye marble, the village is also known as the birthplace of Drambuie.
A850, Broadford, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Captain Fraser's Folly stands on a hill south of Uig harbour and offers wonderful views over Uig and west towards the Western Isles. Owned by the Uig Hotel and built in 1860, this little tower has arched windows and arrow-slits. The interior of the Folly is not open to the public.
A87, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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A dramatic waterfall plunges straight down over a drop on Carbost Burn, above Talisker Distillery. This is one of the easiest waterfalls on Skye to access, yet relatively unknown.
Carbost, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV47 8SE

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Castle Moil (Caisteal Maol) is a ruined 15th-century castle on a hill overlooking the entrance to Kyleakin harbour. It was for centuries a regional seat of Clan Mackinnon, and it stands on an even older castle built by the Norse to control the strait of Kyle Akin.
off South Obbe Road, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The Cave of Gold (Uamh Oir in Gaelic) is an isolated sea cave formed of striking basalt columns, much like the famous Fingal's Cave on Staffa and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The cave is reached by a short walk along the coast at Bornesketaig, on Skye's Trotternish Peninsula.
Bornesketaig, Kilmuir Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Cave
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A 16th century ruined church stands by the roadside south-west of Broadford. The church replaced a medieval building, and was built beside the traditional site where St Maelrubha preached in the 7th century. In the graveyard is an ancient cross-head and a medieval gravestone carved with a floriated cross.
B8083, Broadford, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV49 9AS

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Coire Lagan is a remote lochan set in a bowl of hills on the slopes of the Black Cuillins. The walk to Coire Lagan is one of the most popular on Skye and takes in a dramatic waterfall on the return journey.
Glen Brittle, Glenbrittle, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Loch
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Coral Beach is a secluded sandy beach bounded by turquoise waters, north of Dunvegan. Despite its name, the beach is not made of coral, but of maerl, a marine algae that has been calcified and bleached by the sun to a brilliant white.
Claigan, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Beach
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Dun Beag is a wonderfully preserved Iron Age broch standing on a hillside with wonderful views out over Loch Harport and Loch Braccadale. The broch was apparently in use for occupation as late as the 18th century.
A863, Braccadale, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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A dramatic ruined 14th century castle on an offshore island, linked to the shore by a ruinous stone bridge. Dunscaith was the principle seat of Clan MacDonald of Sleat before the MacDonalds moved to Duntulm in 1618. Fabulous views across Loch Eishort to the Black Cuillins.
Sleat Peninsula, Tokavaig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Principle seat of Clan MacDonald of Sleat
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Duntulm is a striking 14th-century castle atop a sheer cliff, with views to the Western Isles. The castle was erected by the MacLeod clan, on the site of an earlier broch, but later served as the family seat of the MacDonalds. Now a romantic, roofless ruin.
A855, Kilmaluag, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9UF

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Dunvegan is a large village at the southern end of Loch Dunvegan, and is home to Dunvegan Castle, the traditional seat of Clan Macleod. Take boat trips from the castle pier to see the seal colonies that live Loch Dunvegan.
A850, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Historic Dunvegan Castle, the seat of Clan Macleod
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Home of Chiefs of MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan Castle looks across a lovely loch where seals bask. Dunvegan's Fairy Flag is reputed to have magical powers. Legend says a MacLeod married a fairy, and, when she returned to her people, she left behind the flag to protect the family from harm. The castle houses clan mementos and ancestral portraits.
A850, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV55 8WF

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Heritage Highlight: The Fairy Flag of Clan MacLeod
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St Mary's Old Church was built in 1694 but is now a roofless ruin. In the burial ground is a memorial to Thomas, Lord Lovat, who died in 1699 while visiting his brother-in-law at Dunvegan Castle. Look for three medieval grave slabs in the churchyard. Several chiefs of Clan Macleod are buried here.
A850, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV55 8ZR

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Heritage Highlight: Lord Lovat's memorial, 1699
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Eas a' Bhradain (also known as Blackhill Waterfall) is a picturesque cascade just off the A87 coastal road, 2 miles south of Luib on the Isle of Skye. The waterfall is incredibly easy to see, being so close to the road.
A87, Luib, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Eas Mor (literally 'large waterfall') is a spectacular 70m waterfall in Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, in the foothills of the Black Cuillin range. It can also be reached as part of a popular longer walk taking to Coire Lagan.
Glenbrittle, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV47 8TA

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Elgol is a picturesque fishing village on the shore of Loch Scavaig, with stunning views across the loch to the Black Cuillins. A short walk from the harbour brings you to the cave where Bonnie Prince Charlie sheltered from his enemies in 1746.
B8083, Elgol, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV49 9BJ

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Heritage Highlight: Bonnie Prince Charlie's hid in a cave here in 1746
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The Fairy Bridge is an early 19th-century bridge across the Bay River, north of Dunvegan. According to legend, it was here that a chief of Clan Macleod said goodbye to his wife, a Faerie princess, when she left the world of mortals forever.
B886, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV55 8GF

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Bridge
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Heritage Highlight: Links to Clan Macleod legend
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The Fairy Glen is a magical landscape of jagged rock formations, waterfalls, and lochans formed by an ancient landslip and rounded by the passage glaciers into an otherworldly region of remarkable scenic beauty.
Balnaknock, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9YG

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The Fairy Pools is a series of stunning waterfalls and crystal clear pools in Glen Brittle, in the foothills of the Black Cuillins. This picturesque location was the site of the last clan battle in Skye, in 1601.
Glenbrittle, Carbost, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfalls
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Heritage Highlight: Site of a bloody clan battle in 1601
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At Kilmuir on the Isle of Skye's north-west coast is a cemetery that once served a 16th-century church. In the cemetery is the grave of Flora Macdonald, the Jacobite heroine who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape his pursuers after the Battle of Culloden.
Hunglader, Kilmuir, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9UE

Attraction Type: Church - Graveyard
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Glenbrittle is a remote community in Glen Brittle, on the western edge of the Black Cuillins. It is a very popular centre for hikers tackling the Cuillins and offers several easier walks for less ambitious walkers.
Glenbrittle, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Hugh's Castle (Caisteal Uisdein) is a ruined late-16th-century tower house built by Hugh MacDonald of Sleat. It is wrapped in tales of clan warfare, treachery and murder. The castle is reached by a lovely 3-mile round trip walk along the coast.
South Cruidach, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Isleornsay is a former fishing port and village on the east coast of Skye's Sleat Peninsula. On an islet offshore is the Isle Ornsay Lighthouse, built in 1857, and near the jetty is the Isle Ornsay Hotel, built in 1820 as a coaching inn.
Broadford, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Historic 19th-century Stevenson lighthouse
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A pair of ancient stones stands above the shore of Loch Eyre at Kensaleyre, on the west coast of Skye's Trotternish Peninsula. In legend, the stones were used by the warrior Fingal and his band of hunters to suspend a cooking pot so big that it could hold a whole deer.
A87, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Links to the legend of Fingal
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Kiolmaluag is a township at the northernmost tip of the Trotternidsh Peninsula. It gives its name to the Kilmaluag Formation, a Middle Jurassic geological formation of sedimentary rock with embedded fossils. Look for the 16th-century remains of St Moluag's Church near the bay.
A855, Kilmaluag, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Ruins of St Moluag's Church
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Kilmuir is a scattered settlement at the northernmost tip of the Isle of Skye's Trotternish Peninsula. The Jacobite heroine Flora MacDonald is buried in Kilmuir Cemetery, a stone's throw from the wonderful Skye Museum of Island Life.
A855, Kilmuir, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Flora MacDonald's grave in Kilmuir Cemetery
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The Kilvaxter Souterrain is a restored underground Iron Age storage tunnnel on the west coast of Skye's Trotternish peninsula. Intrepid visitors can navigate the 17m long tunnel, and an interpretive panel explains the site.
A855, Kilvaxter, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: The easiest souterrain to visit on Skye
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The dramatic ruins of a 14th century castle cling to a rocky headland jutting into Knock Bay, on the Sleat Peninsula of Skye. The castle was begun by the MacLeods on the site of an Iron Age dun, and later rebuilt by the Macdonalds before falling into decay in the 17th century.
A851, Isleornsay, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV44 8RR

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Kyleakin is a picturesque village on the east coast of the Isle of Skye, opposite Kyle of Lochalsh. The ruins of medieval Castle Moil guard the harbour entrance, and the Skye Bridge connects Kyleakin to the Scottish mainland.
Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV41 8PT

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Heritage Highlight: Ruinous Castle Moil
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Kylerhea is a remote village on the east coast of Skye, linked to the mainland by the Glenelg ferry and to Broadford by a spectacular single-track road. Kylerhea is one of the best places in Britain to see otters, and there is an otter hide by the shore for visitors.
Kylerhea, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV42 8NH

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Heritage Highlight: Very rare manual turntable ferry
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Lealt Waterfall is a 90m cascade on the River Lealt, 4 miles south of Staffin. A level trail leads to a viewing platform built out over the edge of the gorge for views of the upper falls. Follow the trail to a second viewing area looking over the dramatic coastline, with views of a ruined Victorian diatomite factory.
A855, Staffin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Heritage Highlight: Ruins of Victorian diatomite factory at the water's edge
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Loch Coriusk is a freshwater loch in a stunning setting at the heart of the Black Cuillins, surrounded by jagged peaks. A trail leads around the loch, making for an unforgettable walk through some of Scotland's best scenery. The loch is normally reached by boat from Elgol.
Black Cuillins, Elgol, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Loch
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Mealt Falls is a dramatic waterfall south of Staffin, where the water drops 55m to the rocky shore below. From the viewing platform, you can also see Kilt Rock, a dramatic rock formation of basalt columns resembling the pleats of a traditional Highland kilt.
Ellishader, Staffin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9JE

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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Neist Point Lighthouse stands in a dramatic position atop high cliffs at the westernmost point on the Isle of Skye. The lighthouse is reached by one of Skye's most popular walks, with views to the Western Isles.
Waterstein, Glendale, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV55 8WU

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Lighthouse
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Heritage Highlight: Built in 1909 by David Stevenson
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The Old Man of Storr is a dramatic rock needle, an outcrop of The Storr ridge, rising above the northern end of Loch Leathan, Skye. The walk to the Old Man is one of the most popular on Skye, and draws thousands of visitors every year.
A855, Portree, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Rock Formation
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Ord is a small settlement on the west coast of the Sleat Peninsula, with wonderful views across Loch Eishort to the Cuillin hills. Ord is blessed with a very good beach. Look for the ruins of an ancient church and holy well dedicated to St Congan.
Ord, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Ord House, c. 1750
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Portree is the principal town of Skye and the island's capital. It makes an excellent base for exploring Skye and has a wealth of visitor facilities. The pretty harbour is ringed by colourfully-painted houses and shops.
A87, Portree, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: The Royal Hotel stands on the site of an inn where Bonnie Prince Charlie bid farewell to Flora MacDonald
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On a secluded headland south of Elgol is the cave where Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his last night on Skye while fleeing from his enemies after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden. The cave can only be reached at low tide, after a walk over 1.25 miles from Elgol harbour.
Elgol, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV49 9BJ

Attraction Type: Countryside - Cave
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Heritage Highlight: Bonnie Prince Charlie's hiding place in 1746
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Rha Waterfall is a lovely and secluded cascade in a nature reserve immediately outside Uig, reached by a short 150m trail through a beautiful wooded gorge.
A855, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
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On an island in the River Snizort stands the remains of the 12th century cathedral of the Bishops of the Isles, plus a 12th century chapel dedicated to St Columba, who is said to have preached here. Look for 16th century grave slabs of crusading knights.
A850, Skeabost, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Site of the 12th century Cathedral of the Isles
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The fascinating heritage of the Isle of Skye comes to life in this intriguing museum in Kilmuir, housed in seven thatched croft houses. Exhibits range from Iron Age weapons to items used by Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald.
Kilmuir, Portree, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV51 9UE

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St Assind's Chapel is a turf-covered Pre-Reformation chapel ruin within the burial ground of Bracadale parish church. Within the burial ground are three late-medieval carved grave slabs.
Bracadale Parish Church, A863 Bracadale, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Medieval carved grave slabs
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In a stunning location by the shore of Loch Eynort stands a pair of historic chapels. The oldest chapel dates to the medieval period and stands on the site of a much older building possibly established by St Maelrubha.
Eynort, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV47 8SQ

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Heritage Highlight: Links to 7th century St Maelrubha
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Stein is a picturesque village on the Waternish Peninsula, overlooking Loch Bay. The village was founded as a planned fishing port to a design by Thomas Telford, but most of the planned village was never built. The village is home to the oldest inn on Skye, the 18th-century Stein Inn.
B886, Stein, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Remains of Thomas Telford's 18th-century planned village
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Suisnish is a deserted village in Strath, south of Broadford, one of the last crofting communities on Skye to be depopulated during the Highland Clearances. The ruins of crofters' cottages stand in a breathtakingly beautiful location looking over Loch Slapin.
Strath, Torrin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Ruins of crofter's cottage
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Talisker Bay is a beautiful western-facing bay on Skye's Minginish Peninsula. Its location makes it ideal for watching the sunset. It is reached via an easy 1.2-mile walk from the end of the road at Talisker.
Carbost, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV47 8SF

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Heritage Highlight: Talisker House, built circa 1720
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The Quiraing is a stunning otherworldly landscape of bizarre rock formations formed by ancient landslips, located on the eastern slope of the Trotternish Ridge near Staffin, Isle of Skye. It is one of the most popular visitor attractions on Skye.
Staffin, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The Tote Pictish Stone is a 7th century basalt stone, carved with traditional Pictish symbols including a double-disc, mirror and comb, and crescent. The stone was used for many years as the door jamb of a nearby house, but now stands on a small hill aboove Tote township, near Skeabost.
B8036, Tote Skeabost, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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A twenty mile (32km) coastal drive skirts the dramatic upland of the Trotternish Peninsula. The scenery is breathtaking, with unusual rock formations like the Old Man of Storr and The Quiraing jutting from the hard basalt of the Trotternish Ridge.
Portree, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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At Trumpan a roofless church stands overlooking Ardmore Bay, on the northern tip of the beautiful Waternish peninsula of Skye. This medieval building was the setting for a terrible clan massacre in 1578 when the men of Clan MacLeod killed a party of MacDonalds from South Uist.
Trumpan, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV55 8GW

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Heritage Highlight: A pair of medieval grave slabs
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Uig is a village and ferry port on the west coast of Skye's Trotternish Peninsula. Local attractions include the magical Fairy Glen, Rha Waterfall, and Flora MacDonald's grave at nearby Kilmuir.
A87, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Captain Fraser's Folly, 1860
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