The Magical Isle of Skye, Scotland

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

About Green Dragon Artist

Celtic Fairies, Fables, and Folklore! Bestselling author (top #100 Amazon Canada, #1 in Paranormal Fantasy, Amazon Canada) Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon, is an author, artist and accountant. After she failed to become an airline pilot, she quit her ceaseless pursuit of careers that begin with 'A', and decided to concentrate on her writing. Since she has Project Completion Disorder, she is one of the few authors with NO unfinished novels. Christy has her hands in many crafts, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real life, she's a CPA, but having grown up with art all around her (her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected her, as it were. She wants to expose the incredible beauty in this world, hidden beneath the everyday grime of familiarity and habit, and share it with others. She uses characters out of time and places infused with magic and myth. Combine this love of beauty with a bit of financial sense and you get an art business. She does local art and craft shows, as well as sending her art to various science fiction conventions throughout the country and abroad. Facebook: www.facebook.com/greendragonauthor Homepage: www.greendragonartist.com Blog: www.greendragonartist.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/greendragon9