View from Duntulm Castle
Dunvegan Church
The Isle of Skye in Scotland is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides. It has a varied and unique landscape, and is a fantastic place for hiking. It is one of my favorite places in the world, as there is so much to see and do in such a small area.
Dunvegan Castle
The island is traditionally part of the Clans MacLeod and Donald. The Highland Clearances in the 18th century, after the Jacobite Risings, reduced the population from 20,000 to just under 9,000, but it has risen to 10,000 in recent years. About a third of the residents speak Scottish Gaelic.The name Skye might come from the winged shape of the island, as an early Celtic word for winged was skitis. The Norse name for the island was Skíð. Skuy in Norse was Misty Isle, and Skýey or Skuyö translates to Isle of Cloud.
Portree is the largest town, with a population of over 2,000. Dunvegan castle in the northwest is owned by the Clan MacLeod. Most of the population lives in small townships scattered on the coast.
Kilt Rock
Evidence of people date back to the 7,000 BCE, as there is Mesolithic evidence in Staffin. More recently, Pictish, Dál Riata, and Viking occupations are well established. Some Pictish symbol stones are on Skye, and Irish Annals record monks visiting the pagan leaders on Skye.
Duntulm Castle
While Clan MacLeod on Trotternish and Clan MacDonald on Sleat are the primary clans, Mackinnons, MacInnes, and MacNeacall are also associated with the island. MacDonalds and MacLeods had a bitter enmity, and Trumpan church was the site of a horrible slaughter.
Trumpan Church
Flora MacDonald became famous for the rescue of Prince Charles Stuart, by disguising him as her handmaid and allowing him to escape via Skye. She is buried in Trotternish, though she lived in America for a time.
Dunvegan Castle Gardens
Colbost Folk Museum
Fairy Glen
Staffin Beach
The Quiraing
Portree
Uig
Don’t miss information on Celtic myth and history, as well as practical travel planning tips, and hidden places, in my travel books. And watch out for my upcoming historical fantasy novel, Legacy of Hunger!
– Stunning, Strange and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland
– Mythical, Magical, Mystical: A Guide to Hidden Ireland
More info at Green Dragon Artist :: Home,
Christy Jackson Nicholas, Author, and
Tirgearr Publishing – Christy Nicholas
I am an artist, accountant and author living in western New York, transplanted from Denmark, Michigan, Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania (in that order!) I love the beauty of the world and sharing it with others through jewelry, photography, digital painting and writing.
Fantastic photos! And a lovely invitation to Skye. We visited there last year, but only for a day and we plan to go back and spend more time within the next year. Thank you for the enticing photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is indeed magical!
LikeLike
How gorgeous. It lives up to the beautiful song they used as the theme for Outlander.
Billow and breeze, islands and seas
Mountains of rain and sun
All that was good, all that was fair
All that was me is gone…
*sigh*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Green Dragon's Cave, Author and Artist and commented:
Ah, the Magic of Skye – a place I’d love to live!
LikeLike