Sailing and Walking Around Skye
2011 has been designated the year of 'Scotland ’s Islands' to celebrate island cultures. A sailing & walking trip is the perfect way to participate. This new itinerary circumnavigates the Isle of Skye , perhaps the most iconic and alluring Scottish island, visiting several satellite islands en route. You’ll enjoy superb sailing and magnificent walking, as well as stylish accommodation and mouth-watering meals on this memorable coastal journey.
With some 1,000 miles of coastline and the UK’s most dramatic mountain range, the Isle of Skye or An t-Eilean Sgitheanach is an island of superlatives. It is home to an incredible diversity of landscapes, including the dramatic peaks of the Black Cuillin, the remarkable rock spires of the Quiraing and the Storr, and the 1000ft sea-cliffs at Waternish Head. The island’s history and culture is equally fascinating and can be traced as far back as Stone Age times. More recently clan battles and land struggles have shaped the modern face of Skye.
This trip offers a unique way to experience not just Skye but also its surrounding islands and the neighbouring coast of the mainland. Sailing aboard the yacht Elinca, we can head ashore from remote anchorages to explore the spectacular coastline, glens and mountains. Places such as Loch Coruisk on Skye, the Isle of Rona, and Knoydart on the mainland are what makes this part of the UK such a special place to visit.
In coastal waters renowned for their diversity of marine and bird life, you also have every chance of seeing whales, dolphins and a plethora of birdlife such as golden eagles and sea eagles.
Trip Highlights
- Sail through the remarkable landscapes of Skye on a complete circumnavigation of the island
- Head ashore to explore some of the wildest and inaccessible corners of the UK on guided walks
- Discover the superb marine wildlife of Scotland’s west coast, including dolphins, whales and basking sharks
Trip Details
Starts: 4pm, Kyle of Lochash (accessed by train from Inverness)
Ends: 12pm, Kyle of Lochalsh
Trip Price: £995 per person
What's Included:
- 6 nights accommodation on the yacht 'Elinca'
- All meals during the trip
- All specialised group sailing equipment
- The services of a skipper, first mate, and a walking guide
Trip Itinerary
With a fast yacht, crew plus walking guide at your service for a week, there are many possibilities for an amazing week’s holiday sailing around the fascinating Isle of Skye. Your itinerary will in part be dictated by the winds and the weather but, wherever you visit, you can be sure of a memorable week. One possible itinerary is listed below.
Day One - Set Sail for the Isle of Skye!
The trip starts in Kyle of Lochalsh and is timed to coincide with the arrival of the train from Inverness. Our guide meets you on the platform and it is a short walk to the pier where we step aboard the yacht. On board, you'll meet our skipper Angus and Innes, and following a welcome and briefing, we will enjoy a short evening sail, often heading south, sometimes anchoring at Isle Ornsay on the south east of Skye.
Day Two - The Knoydart Peninsula
Following breakfast, we sail across to Knoydart for a day walking on the wild peninsula. There are many possibilities but one of our favourites is the traverse of the peninsula to Loch Hourn and the village of Inverie. Here we can enjoy a drink in the most remote pub in Britain, often anchoring right outside for the night.
Day Three - Loch Coruisk and the Skye Cuillin
We set sail for Skye proper, rounding the Point of Sleat and making our way towards the dramatic anchorage of Loch Scavaig. In any weather, this must be one of the most beautiful anchorages anywhere in the world. Following lunch, we’ll head ashore to enjoy a walk round the hauntingly beautiful Loch Coruisk. Returning to the boat for dinner we then enjoy a night in this wild and untamed anchorage.
Day Four - North to Dunvegan
We sail up the west coast of the Isle of Skye, leaving the rocky Cuillin mountains behind as the landscape and seascape changes. The keen eye will spy the Talisker whisky distillery and we can raise a glass to it as we sail past! One possible anchorage is in Loch Dunvegan, close to the castle which has been the clan seat of the Macleods since the year 1200.
Day Five - Sailing around Northern Skye
From Dunvegan, we continue north to the Waternish and then the Trotternish Peninsulas. There are some wonderful short walks to be enjoyed in these locations so we will take a flexible approach and see where we end up! Late afternoon, we find a sheltered anchorage for the night and hopefully enjoy a Skye sunset from the deck.
Day Six - North Skye to the Isle of Rona
We continue the journey by sailing to the Isle of Rona, off the north west of Skye. The best anchorage is Acairseid Mhor or big harbour, a popular haunt for pirates operating in the Sound of Raasay and the Minch in times gone by. After lunch we head ashore to climb to the island’s highest point. A visit to Church Cave on the east coast of the island is also a must.
Day Seven - Complete the Circumnavigation of Skye
From Rona, it is a short sail back to Kyle of Lochalsh to complete our circumnavigation of Skye. We will arrive in time for our guests to catch the train back to Inverness that day.
PLEASE NOTE - the itinerary stated above is indicative only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the skipper and crew. The prevailing wind and weather conditions play a significant part in the exact route followed. Whatever the destination you can be assured of an unforgettable mountain and sea experience.