Càrn Bàn, Staffin, Isle of Skye
Short notice breaks.
Discounts for small parties
One of the largest and best known Scottish islands, Skye is particularly famous for its mountain scenery. Many people come here to climb or walk in the Cuillin and the Quiraing, which Càrn Bàn looks directly on to. Quite an expanding population since the early 1990s, now there are over 9000 people living on the island.
Due to its popularity with tourists, you will find many craft shops and cottage museums.
As for sports, you can visit the swimming pool in Portree, play golf at Sconser and Skeabost or go pony trekking. Water sports available on the island include diving, canoeing, windsurfing and yachting. Skye is also the ideal place for fishing and bird watching.
But if it's whisky you want, why not visit the Talisker Distillery at Carbost?
- Order your Staffin Bay prawns from Angus or Dougie at the slipway - make it early! Local Boat Trips
- Swim in the plunge pools up on the Quiraing
- Visit the fairy glen just past the Uig Hotel
- Watch the whales from Rhubba Hunish
- Swim in the lake at Dunanes, it has healing properties
- Swim with the herd, from the beach to Staffin Island!
- Walk in the fossilised footsteps of the dinosaurs on Staffin beach
With amazing views of the Quaraing Mountains you are superbly based to enjoy excellent walking, safe bathing, sea and loch fishing, bird watching, (Golden Eagles, Buzzards and Sea Eagles) and everything else this beautiful island has to offer.
There is lots to do in Staffin - the walks especially are breath taking. The Columba 1400 Centre at the end of the road has a restaurant and pool table. The Flodigarry Hotel has an excellent restaurant and bar, and operates a mini-bus to take you home on a Friday and Saturday night.
For lovers of the outdoors, the Staffin area hosts some unique attractions, with fantastic walks straight out from the house. Hillwalkers will love the Quiraing opposite, a crazy and awesome area of mountain landslip, home to the natural marvels of the Prison, the Needle and the Table. These photogenic formations are easily accessible from Càrn Bàn. In addition, one of Britain's most striking ridgewalks runs southward from the Quiraing to Portree along the Trotternish Ridge, an all-day expedition giving all-round panoramas across the Western Isles.
Rock-climbers across Britain know the nearby sea-cliffs are home to some spectacular excursions. Kilt Rock hosts the acclaimed climbs 'Grey Panther' and 'Internationale', featured in the Extreme Rock collection, and across Staffin bay at Flodigarry is the spectacular natural pillar climbed by 'Spantastic'.
For more information consult amongst others:
TrampingIn Skye Ben Humble 1940
Extreme Rock - Diadem Books 1987
Rock-climbing guide to Skye and the Hebrides - Scottish Mountaineering Trust 1997
The Internet Guide to Scotland is an excellent website, part of which is devoted to what to do on Skye. There is everything there from telephone numbers of restaurants, through to details of guided tours, museums, cinemas and an excellent list of books about Skye. Well worth a click!
Go to:Scotland-Inverness