Skye Walking Holidays - Walking & Heritage

Duntulm Castle c. 1935

Flora MacDonald &
Bonnie Prince Charlie

Mrs MacKinnon told me that last year, when the ship sailed from Portree for America, the people on shore were almost distracted when they saw their relations go; they lay down on the ground and tore at the grass with their teeth. This year there was not a tear shed. The people on the shore seemed to think that they would soon follow.
James Boswell on the 'Clearances' in 1773.

Skye Crofters Cottage

'I got an acquisition of more ideas by it than by anything that I remember. I saw a quite different system of life'
Samuel Johnson - visiting Skye 1775

Skye Museum of
Island Life

Discover the Footprints of the Past

Trotternish ranks high among the most historic areas of the Scottish Highlands, and even now history is still being uncovered just a few miles from Duntulm. From Norsemen to Picts & Celts, evidence can be seen around the entire peninsula in the form of old forts, brochs, standing stones and settlements.

Trotternish is said to be derived from the old Norse language and means 'Thrond's Headland. Of Thrond himself alas! We know no more, but the whole of the Trotternish peninsula bears testament to the influence of the Vikings, with the place names of Uig, Quiraing, Staffin and Flodigarry being just some that originated from the language of those early Norse visitors.

Of course Trotternish is particularly famous for it's Jacobite links to Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie. In 1746, with a price on his head following his defeat at Culloden, the Prince sailed from his hideout on Benbecula to Skye accompanied by local lass and heroine-to-be, Flora MacDonald. They tried to land at Waternish, but the militia were on the prowl and shots were fired at their boat. The pair headed for Trotternish instead and landed a few miles south of Duntulm at Monkstadt. The Prince eventually reach France, and following her release from prison in London in 1747, the celebrated Flora married and settled in the Cottage at Flodigarry. The Flodigarry Hotel site has more of the story

Exploring the rich history of this unspoiled area is perfectly combined with your walking holiday. To further enrich the experience, you will enjoy a taste of more recent Gaelic / Celtic music and culture during your stay with us.

Flora Macdonald's Grave, Kilmuir at Sunset

FULL WEEKS HOLIDAY - from £375 per person

Your 'Walking and Heritage' week will include a pot-pourri of:

TROTTERNISH RIDGE WALKS
- The Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing , Beinn Edra & Fairy Glen,
Beinn à Sgá, Invertote & Lealt Waterfalls

COASTAL WALKS
- Rubha Hunish Headland, Dunvegan Castle & Coral Beaches

CELTIC HERITAGE
- Skye Museum of Island Life, MacCurdie's Exhibition, Duntulm Castle, Caisteal Uisdean, Aros Heritage Centre, Eyre Standing Stones, Kilmuir Souterain, Dunvegan Castle & grounds, Flora MacDonald's Grave, Columba's Loch, ruined Abbey at Kilmuir.

and MORE...
Traditional Ceilidh, piping and even a shopping trip to Portree!

SHORT BREAK WEEKEND - from £105 per person

Our 'Walking & Discovering Skye' weekends (and full week holidays) offer an opportunity to sample our rich local heritage.
Click here for more details

Duntulm Castle Hotel, Duntulm, Isle of Skye. Scotland IV51 9UF
tel. 01470 552213 email: info@skyewalks.co.uk