Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Archway at Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye

This evening, I am focusing on Armadale on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Many times each year I pass through Armadale either arriving or departing Skye via the ferry crossing.

This part of Skye is called Sleat and is traditionally home to Clan Donald. In fact, in times past, this was the location for mansion house residence of the MacDonalds of Sleat. As is evident from images immediately above and below is now a romantic ruin. However, on the same site there is the Clan Donald Visitor Centre with extensive library, archives and a museum which combine to provide a good quality visitor experience and an excellent facilty for researching local ancestry. There are also immaculately kept gardens in the grounds of the ruined castle which are particularly colourful in Springtime as a function of a well endowed population of azaleas and rhododendrons.

Ruins of Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

At the ferry terminal at the harbour there is small collection of art, craft  and textile shops which are of interest to ferry passengers whilst waiting for departures.

Armadale Harbour, Skye, Scotland

The ferry crossing to/from Armadale offers wonderful scenic views of Knoydart  and sometimes dolphins  can be spotted.

Lower Falls, Glen Nevis, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Glen Nevis near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.

To some extent this might be called a ‘hidden gem’ as the glen (valley) is accessed via a small road in a southerly direction form the centre of Fort William. Fortunately, the vast majority of tour buses and related traffic by-passes the road and hence it is possible to enjoy a quiet and peaceful drive down to the Lower Falls and beyond. The return trip takes about 1 hour and en-route it is possible that an encounter with a herd of photogenic Highland Cattle  may occur.

The glen and nearby mountain (ben) are named after the River Nevis which in turn may be derived from the Gaelic neimh (pronounced ‘nev’) which translates as ‘poison’ or ‘evil’.

Glen Nevis  is noted for a number of features including:

• Last stage of the West Highland Way, a hiking trail which takes about 8-9 days to cover the distance from Glasgow to Fort William.
• A favorite area for camping and caravanning.
• Close to Ben Nevis , Britain’s highest mountain which attracts many climbers.
• Near to the Nevis Range of mountains and the Aonoch Mor  Chair Lift.
• Has been as a backdrop for a number of films including Braveheart, Harry Potter and Rob Roy.
• Scenic Lower Falls ( per images above and below) and Steall Falls.

Lower Falls, Glen Nevis, Scotland

Whenever possible I try to fit in a visit to Glen Nevis during my tours of the Western Highlands.

Harbour at Mallaig, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the colourful fishing village of Mallaig in the western Highlands of Scotland.

As a tour guide I encounter a stop at Mallaig on the way between Fort William and Isle of Skye (or vice versa). At Mallaig it is possible to connect with a ferry which transfers people and vehicles to/from Skye at regular intervals entailing a journey time of about 25 minutes. The short ferry trip is quite scenic and affords wonderful views of the Knoydart Penisula. Occasionally, it is possible to spot wildlife such as dolphins  escorting the ferry.

Another aspect to Mallaig is that it sits at end of a railway line connecting with Fort William along which (in summer) travels the famous Jacobite Express  (or ‘Harry Potter’ train) which brings many thousands of people to this small community on day trips.

Mallaig has a colourful,working harbour  which is home to a small fleet of fishing vessels which is of interest to photographers and others. In the village there are a few shops and pubs plus a range of accommodation. In fairness most visitors would encounter Mallaig as a transit point rather than a destination per se.

Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, Scotland