Isle Of Skye

The Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebridean islands and is located off the Scottish mainland. The island is the second largest island in Scotland and it has been inhabited since the middle of the Stone Age giving it a rich and varied history involving many different cultures including the Vikings.

The Isle of Skye is still inhabited today with most residents being involved in the tourism, brewing, whisky distilling, farming and fishing industries. There are just over 9,000 inhabitants on the island although the numbers of people living and visiting here will rise during the peak tourist season. This is one of the few places in the world where you can regularly hear Gaelic being spoken as part of everyday life.

The Isle of Skye is roughly divided into five main areas: North West Skye, North East Skye, Central Skye, South Skye and Lochalsh. Until 1995 the Isle of Sky truly was an island with most visitors getting to and from it via the regular ferry services that run from the mainland. In 1995, however, a bridge was built that connected the island to the mainland and now you can simply drive over there if you wish although the ferry services still remain popular alternatives.

Visitors to the Isle of Skye can enjoy a range of shopping from supermarkets with late opening hours through to a range of traditional local shops. The island’s residents can also use the many mobile shopping vans that still service the island. These vans offer all kinds of shopping services to those in more remote areas from banking services through to food supplies.

The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland. In recent years it has been voted the 4th best island in the world by National Geographic magazine. Nature lovers and walkers can find many things to occupy their time on the island and there is indeed something for everyone here from beaches to cliffs to mountainous inland hills.

Most visitors will come to the Isle of Skye in the milder summer months but many also like to visit in off peak seasons as well. A winter visit to the island is a great way if seeing just what island life really is like when the tourists have gone home whether you drive over for a day trip, stay for a few days or even a few weeks.