Isle of Skye
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The Isle of Skye, usually known simply as Skye (An t-Eilean Sgiathanach in Scottish Gaelic) is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
Its name is of uncertain origin, but the Scots Gaelic "sgiath" meaning "winged" seems reasonable. Some legends associate the isle with the mythic figure of Scáthach.
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Geography
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The second largest island in Scotland at 1700 km² (656 mi²), Skye has some of the most dramatic and challenging mountain terrain in Scotland, including the Cuillin, as well as a rich heritage of ancient monuments, castles, and memorials.
The south west side of Skye is a series of peninsulas, including Sleat, Strathaird, Minginish and Duirinish, with Waternish and Trotternish to the north west. Surrounding islands include Raasay, Scalpay and Soay.
History
Skye has sites showing occupation by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, such as the site at An Corran in Staffin which appears to have been in contact with occupants of the rock shelter at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross.
Skye has suffered famine and clearances over the latter part of the 18th century, leading to its badly depleted population of less than 10,000 at the 1991 Census. In 2001 the usually resident population was found to be 8,748.
The Skye Bridge, linking Skye with the mainland of Scotland was built in the 1990s, with an unpopularly expensive toll. Some locals formed a protest group - SKAT (Skye and Kyle Against Tolls). They refused to pay the toll on the grounds that they had the right of free passage on any highway within the Kingdom of Scotland. On 21 December 2004 it was announced that the Scottish Executive had purchased the toll bridge from its owners and that tolls were abolished.
Culture
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Of all the Inner Hebrides, Skye has the most in common with the Outer Hebrides, with nearly half the population speaking Gaelic, and many belonging to the Free Church of Scotland, known for its strict observance of the Sabbath.
The Talisker Distillery, which produces a single malt whisky, is beside Loch Harport on the west coast of the island.
Dunvegan Castle has been the seat of Clan MacLeod since the thirteenth century.
The Isle of Skye has been immortalised in the traditional song The Skye Boat Song and in the book To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.
Transport
Skye is linked to the mainland by the Skye Bridge, while ferries sail from Armadale on the island to Mallaig, and from Kylerhea to Glenelg. Ferries also run from Uig to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist, and from Sconser to Inverarish on Raasay. Bus Services run to Inverness and Glasgow, and there are infrequent local services on the island, mainly starting from Portree or Broadford. Train services run from Kyle of Lochalsh at the mainland end of the Skye Bridge to Inverness
Towns and villages
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The main settlements on the island are connect by the A87 road, Portree (the only burgh), Sconser and Broadford lying on the north east coast, and Uig on the north west. Other places on the island include:
- Armadale
- Bernisdale, Borreraig
- Carbost
- Duntulm
- Dunvegan, and nearby Dunvegan Castle
- Edinbane, Elgol
- Fiskavaig, Flodigarry
- Glenbrittle, Glendale
- Isleornsay
- Kilmaluag, Kilmore, Kilmuir, Kyleakin, Kylerhea
- Milovaig
- Portnalong, Portree
- Skeabost, Sligachan, Staffin, Stein, Struan
- Talisker, Tarskavaig, Teangue, Torrin
See also
External links
- SkyeData (http://www.bambi.demon.co.uk/skyedata) - the geography, economy, sociology and ecology of the Isle of Skye
- SKAT homepage (http://www.skat.org.uk/)da:Skye