IsleOfSkye.co.ukIsle of Skye Culture
Of all the Inner Hebrides, Skye has the most in common with the Outer Hebrides, with half the population speaking Gaelic, and many belonging to the Free Church of Scotland, known for its strict observance of the Sabbath.
Shinty is a highly popular sport, although football is widely played as well. Portree based Skye Camanachd won the Camanachd Cup in 1990.
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.
Skye has a strong folk music tradition, although in recent years dance and rock music have been growing in popularity on the island. Gaelic Rock Band Runrig started in Skye and former singer Donnie Munro still works on the island. The Isle of Skye Music Festival has been growing in recent years and this year featured sets from The Fun Loving Criminals and Sparks. Mylo was born in Skye and frequently returns there to play sets.
The poet Sorley MacLean, a native of the Isle of Raasay which lies off the island's east coast, lived much of his life on Skye.