Isle of Skye Tour Guide Company |
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TOURS OF SKYE | ACCOMODATION
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Luxury Tours of Skye from Armadale The early train from Fort William, or your own car, will convey you to Mallaig for the morning ferry to Armadale. From Armadale (where your tour commences and finishes) your guide will drive you on a luxury tour of Skye together with a commentary to suit the journey. There will be time from a meal at Dunvegan and later a stop for an hour in the main town of Portree. Return to Armadale by 5pm. The tour lasts approx. 6 hours exclusively for up to 6 persons. 1-3 persons total cost £125
4-6 persons total cost £140
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Tour Highlights |
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1 |
Clan Donald Centre: Armadale headquarters of the MacDonald Clan |
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2 |
Sabhal
Mor Ostaig: Only Gaelic college in the UK and soon to have university
status. |
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3 |
Tocavaig:
Dunsgaith Castle ruins can be seen - home to the father of Ramsay
MacDonald, first Labour Prime Minister. |
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4 |
Ord:
Mecca to thousands of geologists |
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5 |
Isle
Ornsay: Where Gavin Maxwell, of otter fame, lived for a while
at the lighthouse. |
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6 |
Kinloch
Lodge Hotel: Home of Lord and Lady MacDonald, High Chief of Clan
MacDonald. |
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7 |
Broadford
Crossroads: Right leads to Skye Bridge but we go left towards
Portree and the north of the island. |
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Journeying
north of Broadford we see the first of the Red Cuillins, Beinn
na Caillich. Passing through the majestic mountains we head for
the old inn at Sligachan. |
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Before
Sligachan we pass Sconser Lodge where in 1745 the Chiefs of MacDonald
and MacLeod met and decided not to support Bonnie Prince Charlie.
From Sconser the ferry leaves for the island of Raasay from where
MacLeod of Raasay sent an ill-fated 100 men to support the Prince
and subsequently paid heavily, his lands being plundered, cattle
stolen and boats destroyed. Many of his clansmen were captured
and starved to death by the infamous Duke of Cumberland. |
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At
Sligachan we reach the end of the Red Cuillins (rounded granite)
and the start of the Black Cuillins (jagged, dangerous and composed
of gabro rock), home to golden eagles amidst 12 Munros (mountains
over 3000 feet). Here the last clan battle between the MacLeods
and the MacDonalds took place. The MacDonalds won the day. |
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Turning
left at Sligachan we travel towards Carbost where the famous Talisker
whisky is distilled and on towards The Castle of Dunvegan, the
home of the MacLeods of MacLeod. |
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Before
reaching Dunvegan we pass through Struan and see on the right,
up the hill behind, one of the best remaining examples on Skye
of a 2000-year-old Broch. On to Caroy we pass the ancient and
ruinous Church of St John the Apostle where lies the body of Flora
MacDonald Swire, tragically killed in the Lockerbie plane disaster
in 1988. Flora, the daughter of Dr Jim Swire, was a direct descendant
of the Flora Macdonald. |
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On
approaching the Township of Dunvegan we see the two flat-topped
basalt peaks MacLeod's Tables, whereupon in ancient times the
Clan Chiefs sat in judgement of their inferiors. |
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After
lunch we head for Portree. This journey of some 20-odd miles will
be broken up with tales of the history of Skye from the dark and
forgotten past to present day. The Picts, Celts and Vikings will
all be put in context together with the Lordship of the Isles,
the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and the massacre of Bonnie Prince
Charlie's supporters and the subsequent saga of Flora Macdonald's
flight with the Prince as he sought to escape the vengeance of
the pursuing English. Also the sad stories of the Clearances where
an ancient people were forced from Skye to new lives in lands
afar, or to die in deep waters betwixt. |
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In
the event of the tour taking in the North End of Skye as an alternative,
you will hear further epic tales of Flora and visit her grave
at Kilmuir. Also the 'last Goodbyes' to Charlie at the MacNabs
Hotel (now the 'Royal') in Portree; the Battle of Braes, Crofting
History and much more. |
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Contact Details Mr Peter MacDonald, 3 Kilmore, Sleat, Isle of Skye, IV44 8RG Telephone 01471844272/440 |
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