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Scotland's Endlessly Scenic Isle of Skye

If you love mystery, evocative scenery and staggering beauty, Scotland’s Isle of Skye should definitely be added to your bucket list. This striking island is the northernmost part of the Inner Hebrides and is known for its haunting mountain ranges, dramatic rocks, lochs, fairy pools and meandering hiking trails. The scenic trails are renowned among photographers, nature lovers and hikers.

Click on the images  to see a fuller view.

Quiraing, a summit in the Trotternish peninsula

Isle of Skye

Photo by Chris Golightly

Isle of Skye

Photo by Heart of Scotland Tours and the Wee Red Bus

Fairy pools

Isle of Skye

Photo by Infinity Visions

This island covers an area of 1,656 km2 (639 sq. mi) and has a small population of just 10,000 people. A third of the population speaks Gaelic, and industries include agriculture, fishing, forestry and tourism.

Loch Scavaig, one of the shortest rivers in the United Kingdom

Isle of Skye

Photo by Frank Winkler

Edinbane, a village at the foot of the Waternish Peninsula

Isle of Skye

Photo by Bill Richards

Rocky beach near The Cuillin mountains

Isle of Skye

Photo by Frank Winkler

If you venture a walk, you might spot some of the isle’s many animals including Highland cattle, red deer, golden eagles and Atlantic salmon.

Cattle on Claigan coral beach

Isle of Skye

Photo by thornypup

Talisker Bay

Isle of Skye

Photo by Kris Williams

Armadale, one of the more fertile settlements of the island

Isle of Skye

Photo by Steven Feather

Fairy pools near Black Cuillins

Isle of Skye

Photo by Ian Hex

Sheep on the road into Staffin

Isle of Skye

Photo by Brian Smith

This picturesque harbor is in Portree, the main town and the island’s largest settlement. It has 2,500 residents, a hotel, and the island’s only high school. It also holds a shinty club, a local Scottish sport similar to field hockey.

Isle of Skye

Photo by Gernot Keller

Fairy Glen

Isle of Skye

Photo by torino071

These rocks on Quiraing are called The Needle, The Table and The Prison

Isle of Skye

Photo by torino071

Lightning strikes near Neist Point

Isle of Skye

Photo by Infinity Visions

The isle is sometimes called the ‘Island of Mist’ due to its mild, wet and windy climate. Average summer temperatures reach the 50’s (12˚- 15˚C) during the summer and drop to the mid 30’s (2˚- 4˚C) during the winter.

Brides Veil waterfall

Isle of Skye

Photo by Chris Golightly

Highland cattle

Isle of Skye

Photo by David Vaaknin

Old Man of Storr

Isle of Skye

Photo by renaudderosa

Tourists might enjoy viewing dinosaur footprints on the An Corran's beach near Staffin. The island has been inhabited since the Mesolithic times, including by the Pictish, Norse and various Scottish clans, and so, has many ancient archaeological sites to visit.

The beach at Elgol

Isle of Skye

Photo by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Loch Coruisk and Black Cuillin

Isle of Skye

Photo by Tours of Scotland

The Rha Falls

Isle of Skye

Photo by Chris Golightly

Isle of Skye

Photo by Frank Winkler

The island may appear familiar to you because it is well known for providing shooting locations for films. You might have seen its vivid mountain ranges in movies like Stardust, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Wicker Man, Highlander, and The Land that Time Forgot.

Old Man of Storr

Isle of Skye

Photo by Frank Winkler

Claigan coral beach

Isle of Skye

Photo by David Burton

Horns of Sligachan

Isle of Skye

Photo by Ian Hex

Fiskavaig Bay sunset

Isle of Skye

Photo by RG Harvey

View of Skye from Morar in the West Highlands

Isle of Skye

Photo by Tommy Clark

 

 

h/t: www.lovethesepics.com

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