Caisteal Maol
A ruined late-15th-century castle of Clan MacKinnon on a hill above Kyleakin harbour, reached on foot from the village.
Caisteal Maol, also called Castle Moil, is a ruined castle on a hill at the entrance to Kyleakin harbour on Skye, facing Kyle of Lochalsh across the water.
It is thought to date from the late fifteenth century and was the ancestral seat of Clan MacKinnon. From the hill you look out over the strait of Kyle Akin and back across Kyleakin.
Legend ties the castle to Saucy Mary, a Norwegian princess who married a MacKinnon, and to a toll taken from the ships that passed through the strait. You can walk to it from the village car park in Kyleakin, along the shore past the old ferry pier, on a route that takes in the village and the Skye Bridge. The last stretch is rocky underfoot and may not be possible at high tide, so check the tide times on the noticeboard in the car park, posted from March to October, before you set out.
The Daily
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
The castle is reached on foot from Kyleakin.
The last stretch is rocky underfoot and may not be possible at high tide.
- Where
- At the entrance to Kyleakin harbour, Isle of Skye, opposite Kyle of Lochalsh.
- Parking
- Kyleakin village car park, opposite the village green.
- Getting there
- Buses run to Kyleakin from Portree and Broadford.
- Walk
- The full walk, through the village and on to the castle, is 3.5km and takes one to one and a half hours, with 40m of ascent.
- Tide
- The last stretch is rocky underfoot and may not be possible at high tide; tide times are on the noticeboard in the car park from March to October.
- Access
- A path climbs to the ruins from the shore below the castle, passing a bench.
Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.
Add your reviewAt the entrance to Kyleakin harbour on Skye, a walk along the shore from the village car park.
Skye BridgeThe road bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh to Skye, opened in 1995 and free to cross since 2004.1 mile 4 min by road
Seaprobe AtlantisThe only semi-submersible passenger boat in the country, out of Kyle.2 miles 7 min by road
Lean to CoffeeA coffee stop in a shipping container on a family croft at Ashaig, with tables inside the walls of a ruined cottage.5 miles 8 min by road
The Misty Bottle ShopA bottle shop in Breakish's old post office, with Skye gin, Scottish whisky, organic wine and fresh beer on tap.6 miles 10 min by road
Sea Kayak PlocktonGuided sea kayaking from Plockton for beginners and families, with small groups exploring the sheltered bays and islands of Loch Carron.6 miles 14 min by road-large-1736351836.jpg)
Kylerhea Otter HavenA forest hide above the narrows of Kyle Rhea, on an easy trail, for otters, seals, porpoises and sea eagles; free.12 miles 25 min by road
Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.
Lusa Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Ashaig
- 4 miles from Castle Moil
Ptarmigan Cottage- Sleeps 2
- In Broadford
- 7 miles from Castle Moil
Kinloch Lodge- To stay
- In Sleat
- 7 miles from Castle Moil
Stonechat Bothy- Sleeps 2
- In Drumfearn
- 8 miles from Castle Moil
Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Broadford and Surrounds.
.jpg)
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .