THINGS TO DO PLACES TO SEE The area surrounding Eilean a' Cheň Guest House is an area of great natural beauty offering all the outdoor pursuits normally associated with Highlands of Scotland. Here are a few... SWIMMING The Fairy pools on Skye The Fairy Pools are a series of clear, cold pools and waterfalls formed as Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh tumbles down from the foothills of the Black Cuillins into Glen Brittle. Park at the Forestry car park and follow the signposted path opposite the parking area. To reach the pools take the right fork on the path after a hundred yards or so, and follow the trail for about 10 minutes to where the ground rises in a small plateau. The location of the Pools beneath the looming bulk of the Cuillins is wonderful, and the drama of the waterfalls and the sinuous beauty of the rock formations carved by the falling water give the Fairy Pools a magical feel. WALKING Walking in Lochalsh is a pleasure. Vast open spaces, stunning scenery, castles and of course the wildlife. Based at Ardelve you are well placed to visit any part of Lochalsh, Skye, Glenelg and of course the second oldest mountains in the world, the Torridon Range. Anyone at Eilean a Cheň Guest House will be able to help you plan walks whether its a stroll on the hill or trekking over the ridge of the Five Sisters of Kintail or through the world famous Cuillins on Skye. Don't forget to see the Red Cuillins at sunset to see why they are so called. Remember too that in some areas of the Cuillins the rock is magnetic and so your compass (always carry this and a map) cannot be trusted. Bicycles can be hired locally and We would be pleased to assist you in any way possible.
The cycling in the area is simply superb, with empty roads and stunning
scenery and wildlife. FISHING Fish is plentiful in and around the area. Trout, Pike and other course fish can be had in the Lochs and rivers and of course Sea Angling is available off the rocks or by chartered boat. We will be pleased to help you organise a fishing trip and help hire tackle if required. CLIMBING climbing in this area provides some of the most spectacular routes in the world. The climbing ranges from what is basically gentle hill walking to severe on Cuillin Ridge culminating in The Inaccessible Pinnacle. This is the only Munroe in the country that is thought to be a bit beyond all but the most experienced rock climbers. It is a very exposed climb. The falls of Glomach HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY Lochalsh and Skye have been home to people since 6500 BC! At this time the Mesolithic people ate, among other things, shellfish and we know this because of the shell midden recently uncovered at An Corran close to Staffin in the north of the Isle of Skye. Later around 3000 BC, the Neolithic peoples built more permanent homes although we do not even to date know much about their shape or form. Traces of the people can still be seen in the form of chambered cairns and mystical stone circles suggesting the stayed permanently in one area and were less likely to be nomadic. Next came the Bronze Age peoples at around 2200 BC and they too lived in similar dwellings although not much is known exactly what form those took as remains are few and far between. We do however know that around this time single burials began to take place and that often a highly decorated pottery drinking 'beaker' accompanied the body, an expression in the belief of an afterlife. Before this people were buried in a common grave area. These stone slab coffins can be seen at Drinan and the summit of the carns at Kilmarlie and Kensaleyre. The Iron Age began about 700 BC and this is where Skye stands out in that it has numerous examples of Brochs, Hut Circles, Duns and Souterrains (underground rooms). The latter can be seen at Kirkton, Ullinish, Tungadale and Claigan. Brochs can be seen at Glenelg, Struan and Duns at Rudh' an Dunain, Dun Grugaig. Mediaeval period - During this era castles aplenty were erected and most survive in some form or other today. Castle Maol or Moil is a fine example of this period and can be seen at the head of Loch Alsh on the Kyleakin side, proudly perched on a rocky outcrop across the bay. I n 1715 and again in 1745 came the famous Jacobite Risings the second of which spawned
the saga of Bonnie Prince Charlie (Edward Stewart) and Flora MacDonald. This
was to be followed by the darkest period in the history of Scotland called the
Clearances where whole communities were uprooted by landlords (thrown out of
their houses and moved physically at bayonet point off the land - or worse) wanting
to graze sheep there on. This horrific scenario lasted almost 100 years from
1770 - 1850. Finally in 1995 the mainland was connected to Skye by the Skye Bridge although travellers can still come 'over the sea to Skye' using the Kylerhea, Gairloch or Mallaig ferry connections. WILDLIFE Its difficult to know where to start as the region has so many attractions for the naturalist. Sea birds abound - Herons can be seen standing in the bay outside the hotel and Oyster Catchers wander around the beach like clockwork models on orange legs. Otters play in the loch and can also be seen from the Hotel. Further a field at Kylerhea on Skye, is the world famous Otter Sanctuary where you will see otters aplenty. The author Gavin Maxwell lived and worked here and inspired him to write the book Ring of Bright Water that subsequently became a film of the same name. On the rocks seals bask and boat trips regularly go off for a closer view. For keen photographic hunters, Sea Eagles can be seen on the more remote lochs and there is a Golden Eagle on the crag behind the Hotel. Other animals include Pine Martins, Buzzards, Porpoises and Dolphins, Killer Whales, Deer, Foxes, Hen Harriers, and Weasels to name but a few. In general the further you go from the beaten track the more interesting things you will see. OTHER ACTIVITIES The glass bottom boat trip with an underwater viewing gallery is based in Kyle on which passengers can sit (in the dry) and look out the windows at the teaming marine life in Kyle straits. She also visits the wreck of the "Port Napier" several times a day and does shorter biology trips to the kelp beds. Kayaking, Sailing and Windsurfing are all enjoyed in the area. Pony trekking too is popular with small stables in the immediate area. Again We at Eilean a' Cheň can advise on the best places to go. SOUVENIRS Hand knitted jumpers, Tartan in all shapes and forms, Paintings, Batik, Sculpture, Literature and Poetry, Fossils and Stones, Pottery, Jewellery, Candles and Music are all produced to the highest quality in the area, with demonstartions of the particular crafts in many cases. Bring your credit card - you'll be glad you did. Craft shops are located both in the larger communities and are usually the focus for local craftspersons, but you are just as likely to find someone interesting in the country. A mile or so from the Hotel is the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Its the clan seat of the Macraes and is well worth visiting. The Distillery at Carbost on the Isle of Skye makes the famous Talisker Whisky and
can be visited to see how the 'Uisge Bheath' literally 'water of life' is made.
Carbost itself is a beautiful area of Skye. The best souvenir of all is free - breathe in that clear fresh air kissed by the sea and the natural beauty that is all around you ... PLACES Local: Sallachy, Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle, Kyleakin, Dornie, NT Gardens at Balmacara Half day: Plockton, Glenelg, Whole day: Apple cross, Skye,Gairloch [HOME] [BOOKINGS] [ROOMS] |
