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Over the Sea to Skye
Great Walks on and around Skye - Scotland's most Romantic Island
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The Isle of Skye is a paradise for walkers. Make Tracks will help you have an unforgettable island experience, walking by quiet beaches, along remote cliff-tops, by deserted villages, or on a magnificent coast to coast walk through the heart ofthe Cuillin mountains.
On Skye, you will stay at Broadford and Portree. From each of these bases, you can go on a range of walks, choosing a walk each day to suit whatever you (or your legs) feel like. From Broadford, you can walk on the remote and unspoiled Suisnish peninsula, and get right in close to the steep sides of the Cuillin. There is even an option of starting one of the walks with a sea boat trip, visiting a seal colony and the picturesque Loch Coruisk, before setting off an a cross-island walk. From Portree, you can get off to the contorted rock formations of the Storr and the Quiraing, and the fine ridge walking beyond. All of these walks are designed to fit the local bus schedule. We provide a free bus pass for the whole island for the duration of your stay. This allows you to get to the start and from the finish of each walk.
The best way to reach Skye is by boat. We suggest that you stay at Mallaig on the mainland for a couple of days beforehand, getting you in tune with the more relaxed pace of the Highlands and Islands, and stretching your legs on some fine local walks, including the North Loch Morar walk, a Scottish classic. Then you will sail to Skye by boat, and heading to your first overnight on Skye. This is a typical itinerary.
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Over the Sea to Skye - Suggested Itinerary (9 Nights) |
| Day 1 |
Arrive Mallaig |
Get there in style on the magnicent West Highland Railway line |
Day
2 - 3 |
Walking from Mallaig - a choice of walks each day to suit your schedule. Walks include: -
North Loch Morar Walk (10m, 16k) - along the north side of the deepest loch in Scotland, then over the hill to Loch Nevis, where you are collected by boat for a sail on this fiord like loch, before it sails back to Mallaig
Prince Charlie's Walk (10m, 16k) - a short train journey on the West Highland Line, then over a reomote hill pass to the south side of Loch Morar. Then collection by boat (spot the sea eagles) and a short car journey back to Mallaig
Loch an Nostarie Walk (8m, 13k) - short car transfer, then a walk on rugged ground to a high mountain loch with fabulous views to the islands of Rum, Eigg and Skye
Morar Beach Walk - Spend as long as you like beachcombing, observing a huge variety of birdlife, or just ambling along the silver sands of Morar, one of Scotland's finest beaches
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| Day 4 |
Depart by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale - bus from Armadale to Broadford. Overnight Broadford |
| Day 5 |
Suisnish and Boreraig (11m, 17k) |
A mainly coastal walk, with cliffs, beaches and two abandoned villages - in remote countryside, with great views of the Cuillin and the mainland mountains - Overnight Broadford |
| Day 6 |
Skye Coast to Coast (7.5m, 12k) |
From magical Loch Coruisk to Sligachan - through the heart of the Cuillin mountains - one of Scotland's truly great walks - optional arrival by boat* - Overnight Broadford |
| Day 7 |
The Fairy Pools (12m, 18k) |
From Sligachan into the heart of the Cuillin, then by spectacular waterfalls and rock pools - return to Portree for overnight at Portree. |
| Day 8 |
The Quiraing (5m, 8k) |
Fantastic rock formations on the cliffs at the far north of Skye. Visit "the prison," "the needle," and "the table," and marvel. Overnight Portree |
| Day 9 |
The "Old Man" and the Storr (3 - 6 miles, 5 - 10 km) |
More fantastic rock formations. Climb to the Old Man of Storr, one of a remarkable set of pinnacles, with the option of walking up to the Storr itself (the highest point on northern Skye) and along the Trotternish Ridge. Overnight Portree. |
| Day 10 |
Depart Portree |
A direct bus to reach Glasgow airport by 13.45hrs |
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Below the Storr |
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As with all our walks, we can adapt the itinerary to suit you. For example, you can go straight to Skye without spending any time on the mainland. See also our Highland Lochs and Islands holiday, which combines time at Mallaig with two or three night visits to the other neighbouring islands of Rum and Eigg, and the remote Knoydart Peninsula. You can combine any or all of these into a trip. Just contact us and we'll work something out for you. |
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At Loch Coruisk |
Make Tracks has a special arrangement with the bus company on Skye. So the cost of the holiday includes a free bus pass for all the time you are on the island. All the walks are manageable within times that will allow you to travel by bus to the start and from the finish. You can also use the bus pass to get around to do other things such as sightseeing or visiting the many other attractions on Skye. We also advise on the back up service available in case you ever miss the last bus. At Mallaig, we transfer you to and from the startand finish of each walk by boat or by car. |
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