A Day Exploring Skye’s Northwest
A day by car, from Dun Beag Broch to Stein Inn.
Written by Graeme Johncock
There are plenty of big-name sites around the Isle of Skye that most visitors will be dying to see. But if you have the time, there are lots of other, less-noticed spots well worth exploring. If you dedicate a whole day to the northwest of the island, prepare to find some of my favourite hidden histories, local legends and incredible craftspeople.
The route
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Dun Beag Broch
An attraction
Start the day by stretching the leg uphill to the 2000-year-old Dun Beag Broch. You can find these Iron Age structures all across the west and north of Scotland, but we know precious little about how they were used or the lives of those who built them. The view from up here is spectacular and that must have been part of the reason for its location. Notice the staircase spiralling between the two drystone walls, it would have originally been somewhere around 10 metres tall!
About 20 min by car
Dunvegan Castle
An attraction
There are a total of seven castles on Skye but Dunvegan is the only one that’s still inhabited. It’s one of the few ancestral homes in Scotland that’s still connected to its original clan, with the Chief of the MacLeods still living within these walls. Dunvegan is packed with stories and there’s a good proportion of it open to the public. You can see the legendary Fairy Flag hanging on the wall, ready to be waved by the Chief to call on help from the fairies. Outside, the gardens are a beautiful place to wander and I’ve even spotted otters hunting in the loch!
About 5 min by car
Giant MacAskill Museum
An attraction
Practically next door to the castle, not many people notice the Giant Angus MacAskill museum. It’s a tiny place, ironic since it’s dedicated to the life of the tallest natural living human who was born in the Outer Hebrides! There are many stories of the feats of strength performed by 7ft 9 Angus MacAskill, but the real treat is meeting Peter, the man who founded the museum. If you’re lucky, this amazing local character will even sing you a local Gaelic song!
About 10 min by car
Skye Weavers
A shop
As you wind your way west on the Duirinish Peninsula, it’s well worth stopping at Skye Weavers to see some local tradition first hand. The friendly weavers will talk you through how tweeds are made, how the loom works and you’ll even get the chance to try pedalling the machine yourself! There’s a small shop attached if you want to pick up any authentic souvenirs to remember your trip to Skye.
About 10 min by car
Neist Point
An attraction
Follow the road as far as it goes and you’ll eventually reach the dramatic views of Neist Point. This is the furthest west part of the Isle of Skye and one of the most beautiful areas, with soaring cliffs and crashing waves. While there are steps to descend all the way to the lighthouse, it’s a long way down and feels even longer on the hike back up! Instead, I like to head to the right along the cliffs until you can see the whitewashed lighthouse walls behind the jutting cliffs. Peer out beyond and on a clear day you can see the Outer Hebrides!
About 25 min by car
Skye Skyns
An attraction
Heading back inland, and onto the Waternish Peninsula, there’s another local craft to witness at Skye Skyns. Staff offer free tours to explain the process of turning sheep skins into useable fleeces and it’s fascinating! There’s a lot more that goes into this than you might think.
About 10 min by car
Trumpan Church
An attraction
Trumpan Church is one of my favourite places on Skye, but it rarely gets much attention. It’s a quiet, calming place with spectacular views, but a tragic story dating back to the 16th century. During a clan feud, the MacDonalds burned Trumpan Church down while it was full of MacLeods. However, before the raiders could escape on the next tide, a MacLeod army hunted them down and got revenge in the bay below. With too many bodies to bury, a wall was pushed over the dead and so the skirmish became known as the Battle of the Spoiling Dyke.
About 10 min by car
Stein Inn
It’s worth detouring down to Stein to finish the day, it’s a beautiful view as you stand on the jetty and gaze out over the sheltered bay. The main reason people will come down here isn’t for the scenery, but to eat and drink at the oldest pub in Skye. Stein Inn dates back to 1790, is packed with character and offers especially delicious seafood, so it’s always worth booking a table here if you have the chance!
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Photographs by Skyeskyns, George D and Michaela Krainer via Google