While living in London I was speaking with many Brits about Isle of Skye . Majority of them knew abo

While living in London I was speaking with many Brits about Isle of Skye . Majority of them knew about this beautiful and very special Scottish island located in the Nord-West greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals of Scotland, however just few of them have visited it. Maybe because it is far away from London (600 miles / 1000 kilometres) and its nature is very wild and unpredictable to have holidays there? Maybe. However I am sure this is one of the places in Europe you should visit.
Scotland being an independent country entered into a personal union with England in 1603, when Scottish King James VI also became greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals James I of England. This union was formalised on May 1707. The union merged both kingdoms, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain, with a new single Parliament sitting in Westminster . In 1999, the people of Scotland voted to create a new parliament. The new Scottish Parliament has been given powers to govern the country on certain purely domestic matters and has limited tax varying capability.
So, in the beginning of June, 2009 we arrived at Glasgow Prestwick airport to start our trip to the Scottish Highlands. Immediately after landing we called greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals to the car hiring company to ask to pick-up us from the airport. In 15 minutes minibus was already there and we went to Prestwick town centre. In less than half an hour we arrived at Arnold Clark rental company office. Just to mention that before we made reservation as usual, greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals using services of Economy Car Rentals greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals . After short formalities we started our 380 kilometres long way to Portnalong (in Gaelic it means harbour of the ships ), Isle of Skye.
The Isle of Skye was dominated by two great clans, the MacDonalds and the MacLeods. First impressions about Scotland and Skye wild and beautiful nature, a bit similar to Norway but compact (more convenient because there is no need to go large distances) and sheep all around.
Just before sunset we crossed the bridge connecting mainland and Isle of Skye. Shortly before that we made short stop at Eilean Donan Castle what is recognised all around the world being one of the most iconic images of Scotland. Castle is situated on small island.
greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals It was already shortly before midnight when we arrived at The Croft Bunkhouse, Bothies Wigwams to stay there for few nights (address: 7 Portnalong, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SL, phone 01478 640 254). Our Bothy Beag was exactly as we expected small and cosy. The only thing if you are first time on Skye, it s not so easy to find anything (it may take a bit more time than expected).
Gardens are fantastic! However we were surprised about castle as well Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. It has been the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years. Since 1933 this castle is open to the public. Inside you can find out everything about history of Clan MacLeod as well as how it is connected to the history of Scotland and even history of whole United Kingdom. Exposition is really interesting and worth visiting.
After the castle visit we went to seaside to visit colony greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals of seals located nearby. Seal boats were waiting on the coast and we went to visit Dunvegan seal colony. We expected to see some seals but not so many! Huge of them were lying down on the coasts of small islands. Fantastic view! Several times we made circles around islands to enjoy this interesting scene with grey seals and sea birds sitting on rocks.
After visiting seals we went to Waternish village where to see how sheepskins are produced. We visited greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals company Skyeskins (address: 17 Lochbay, Waternish, Isle of Skye, IV55 8GD). They are offering free guided tour around their small factory and we saw how real sheepskins are made using time honoured methods of leather making. After tour we visited showroom and bought one of luxurious fleeces to take it with us back home (we still have it on our sofa).
Our last serious trip on Skye was about 120 kilometres long to Trotternish the northernmost peninsula of the Isle of Skye. We passed by the largest town of Skye Portree, visited Kilt Rock (basalt columns named Kilt Rock because of it s appearance, which looks like a carefully pleated kilt) and went to Rubha Hunish walking pathway for hiking to see ruined Duntulm Castle on the north coast of Trotternish. It s not possible to tell in words about beauty and wildness of Trotternish peninsula this was one of the most emotional one-day trips we have had ever.
There are two ways to get from Fort William to the Isle of Skye from mainland using road as we did arriving to the Skye, or by ferry. So, we decided to go back by ferry from Armadale to Mallaig (distance between greenwich village new york weekly apartment rentals these ports is less than 10 kilometres). In fact there is no big difference it s about 180 kilometres from Portnalong to Fort William driving around but 150 kilometres using ferry. It was right decision to try both routes to feel the difference.