Overview

We want to take you around the small seaside village of Kyleakin, and see what is there, because we feel this is a very nice central and a main village on the island, ideal base when visiting Skye. It’s a great introduction to the Isle, the misty isle as it’s known, which is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, and has some of the most outstanding mountain scenery in the country ( when you can see it through the mist) It is linked to main Scotland by the ISLE OF SKYE BRIDGE. The bridge journeys here along the A87, and used to connect the whole of Skye from the mainland, between Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland to Kyleakin on Skye. It is a concrete and steel bridge, with two main pillers, construction having started in 1992 and opening on the 16th October 1995. The plan put forward was approved by the local MP Charles Kennedy, but the original estimation of £15 million was far exceeded due to delays and design changes to around £25 million pounds. The cost of the building work was by the use of toll charges rather than by government costs, but proved to be very unpopular by the locals and caused many upsets at first. It remained a toll bridge until 2004 until discontinued as such following protests by local people. KYLEAKIN The village lies on the east coast of Skye and the banks of the Strait of Kyle, now linked by the bridge, which has opened up the island to many more visitors each year, with Kyleakin benefitting from visitors using the village as their first port of call. It is part of the civil parish of Strath. CAISTEAL MAOL ( castle Moil) Also known as Dunakin. Now a ruin standing near to the harbour (photo) dating back to the 15th century, the castle was the seat of the Mackinnon clan, with the castle forming a fortress to command the Strait of Akin, by which all ships had to pass unless they wanted to risk the stormy seas on their way to the Minch. The castles traditions include the connection to King Haakon 1V of Norway, where it is said he assembled his fleet of longships before the battle of Largs in 1263, thus the name “Haakons Kyle” he was defeated in the battle, thus ending the Vikings power over the Isle of Skye. The castle occupied a headland above Kyleakin and facing towards the village of Kyle of Lochaish across the Strait. It was of three levels of a rectangular shape, the basement thought to have housed the kitchens. The level floor area would have been the dining space, with stairs leading up to the main rooms. In 1949, and again in 1989 parts of the castle broke during violent storms, the castle having to be secured, but again in 2018 a lightening strike caused more damage, which has resulted in the castle having to be stabilised. Another tradition concerns a clan member of the Mackinnons, Findanus, who was the clans fourth chief, who married a Norse Princess, who earned the nickname of “Saucy Mary”. Lots of different stories are told of the lady, but commonly told is that she used a large chain that stretched across the strait so that any ship passing through the Kyle of Lochalsh, had to pay a levy to pass through. Very crafty, she used thinking ability there, but also wise enough not to charge the local boats any levy. Why called saucy ? It can mean a person who is rather forward, or even bold, even smart, and of course local Skye people have used this story as part of their livelihood, and Kyleakin has made good use of this tale. We can now make use of our photos, and as you walk along the Main Street of the village, you pass a couple of shops, and a large car park hugging the shore, and reach a line of houses, all looking over towards the Skye bridge, but you then reach “The Saucy Mary restaurant (We give a separate review for The Saucy Mary”) BEINN NA CAILLICH. (Hill of the old woman) When Mary died, legend tells us she was buried on the top of the hill, as she wanted to feel the wind in her hair, coming across from the homeland of Norway (and no doubt wanting to keep an eye on the passing ships. THE HARBOUR. Now we need to push on, as we will be taking our mini bus for a tour of the island, so a pleasant stroll along the harbour and the fresh smell of the days catch intermingled with the aroma of old engine oil seeping from the many small boats tied up before moving on, will encourage us to get back to our B&B, CLIFFE HOUSE.

Transport & Parking

There is a large car park hugging the shore, with charges, and close to the very few restaurants and shops.

Access

Most of the village is flat, with level enough entrances into the few shops and restaurants.

Toilets

Staff

In the few places we used, staff were kind and helpful.

Photos