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Kyle Rhea seen through bare trees from the path to the otter hide, the mainland hills beyond.
Broadford and Surrounds

Kylerhea Otter Haven

A forest hide above the narrows of Kyle Rhea, on an easy trail, for otters, seals, porpoises and sea eagles; free.

Welcome

The Kylerhea otter hide sits on Skye's quiet east coast, above Kyle Rhea, the narrow strait between the island and Glenelg on the mainland, where the tide runs hard and the wildlife comes to feed.

It is looked after by Forestry and Land Scotland, and it is free.

An easy, mostly flat track runs through mixed woodland from the car park to the hide, with toilets and seats looking over the water on the way. The hide is a sheltered timber room with facts inside about otters, dolphins and sharks. Otters can be elusive, but seals are nearly always on the rocks, and porpoises and white-tailed sea eagles are about too. Kyle Rhea was once a busy crossing for drovers, who swam their cattle across to the mainland markets. Below the car park is a picnic area looking over to the little Glenelg ferry. The circuit is a little over two kilometres and takes about an hour, and the path to the hide suits most pushchairs and wheelchairs.

A short drive awayGlenelg InnA traditional Highland inn in Glenelg looking over the Sound of Sleat to Skye, with log fires, a cosy bar and local food.5 min by roadSee itPicnic tables in the Glenelg Inn's garden, the Sound of Sleat and the hills of Skye beyond.
Before you go

Open at any time and free (donation box).

Park at the Forestry and Land Scotland car park on the left as you come down the hill towards Kylerhea; toilets and a picnic area nearby. The path to the hide suits most pushchairs and wheelchairs; about 2km and an hour for the circuit.

Getting there
The Kylerhea road off the A87; car park above the village.
Walk
2.25km, about an hour.
Access
Most pushchairs and wheelchairs to the hide.
Where it is

Kylerhea, Isle of Skye, IV42 8NH.

Close byOn Skye's east coast.
  1. Shelves in the Shore Station shop with teddy bears in Skye Ferry jumpers, prints and small gifts.Shore Station CaféUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Otter Hide1 mile9 min by road
  3. The roofless stone ranges of Bernera Barracks standing in rough grass with a hill behind.Bernera BarracksThe substantial ruins of redcoat barracks built near Glenelg after 1715 to guard the crossing to Skye, for up to 240 soldiers.2 miles4 min by road
  4. The Glenelg FerryThe Glenelg FerryThe last hand-turned turntable ferry in the world, carrying cars across Kyle Rhea from Glenelg to Skye in summer.3 miles4 min by road
  5. Caisteal MaolCaisteal MaolThe broken walls of a 15th-century Mackinnon castle on a knoll above Kyleakin harbour, looking over to the Skye Bridge.12 miles25 min by road
Directions
Picnic tables in the Glenelg Inn's garden, the Sound of Sleat and the hills of Skye beyond.RestaurantsGlenelg Inn2.7 miles
The blue hull of Seaprobe Atlantis at her mooring, GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TRIPS along her side.AttractionsSeaprobe Atlantis3.5 miles over the water
Skye Bridge arches over the strait, with a lighthouse beside its pierAttractionsSkye Bridge4.0 miles over the water
Drystone broch walls rise beside a wooded hillside under grey cloudsAttractionsDun Telve and Dun Troddan5.5 miles
Eilean Donan Castle on its island, linked by stone footbridge over the lochAttractionsEilean Donan Castle6.2 miles over the water
Stone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableBroadford and SurroundsLusa BothyPlace to stay · 8.1 miles
Whitewashed stone cottage ruin with open doorway and log bench in gravel yardCafeLean to Coffee8.1 miles
The stone cairn at the Ratagan Pass viewpoint, the Five Sisters of Kintail rising above Loch Duich beyond.AttractionsRatagan Pass viewpoint8.3 miles
The Misty Bottle, a white cottage with an orange roof, a red phone box and an old green van outside, Breakish.ShoppingThe Misty Bottle Shop9.0 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the hide, and when each is next free.

Stone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableLusa Bothy
  • To stay
  • In Broadford and Surrounds
  • 6 miles from the hide
Check datesKinloch Lodge, Isle of SkyeKinloch Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Broadford and Surrounds
  • 7 miles from the hide
Check datesA dark timber-clad cabin with a corrugated metal roof sits on a gravel drive amid moorland scrub.Stonechat Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Broadford and Surrounds
  • 8 miles from the hide
Free 2–5 NovEilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Broadford and Surrounds
  • 8 miles from the hide
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Broadford and SurroundsAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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