If you love mystery, evocative scenery and staggering beauty, Scotland’s Isle of Skye should definitely be added to your bucket list. This striking island is the northernmost part of the Inner Hebrides and is known for its haunting mountain ranges, dramatic rocks, lochs, fairy pools and meandering hiking trails. The scenic trails are renowned among photographers, nature lovers and hikers.
Click on the images to see a fuller view.
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Quiraing, a summit in the Trotternish peninsula
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Photo by Chris Golightly
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Photo by Heart of Scotland Tours and the Wee Red Bus
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Fairy pools
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Photo by Infinity Visions
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This island covers an area of 1,656 km2 (639 sq. mi) and has a small population of just 10,000 people. A third of the population speaks Gaelic, and industries include agriculture, fishing, forestry and tourism.
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Loch Scavaig, one of the shortest rivers in the United Kingdom
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Photo by Frank Winkler
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Edinbane, a village at the foot of the Waternish Peninsula
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Photo by Bill Richards
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Rocky beach near The Cuillin mountains
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Photo by Frank Winkler
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If you venture a walk, you might spot some of the isle’s many animals including Highland cattle, red deer, golden eagles and Atlantic salmon.
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Cattle on Claigan coral beach
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Photo by thornypup
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Talisker Bay
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Photo by Kris Williams
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Armadale, one of the more fertile settlements of the island
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Photo by Steven Feather
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Fairy pools near Black Cuillins
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Photo by Ian Hex
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Sheep on the road into Staffin
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Photo by Brian Smith
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This picturesque harbor is in Portree, the main town and the island’s largest settlement. It has 2,500 residents, a hotel, and the island’s only high school. It also holds a shinty club, a local Scottish sport similar to field hockey.
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Photo by Gernot Keller
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Fairy Glen
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Photo by torino071
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These rocks on Quiraing are called The Needle, The Table and The Prison
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Photo by torino071
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Lightning strikes near Neist Point
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Photo by Infinity Visions
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The isle is sometimes called the ‘Island of Mist’ due to its mild, wet and windy climate. Average summer temperatures reach the 50’s (12˚- 15˚C) during the summer and drop to the mid 30’s (2˚- 4˚C) during the winter.
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Brides Veil waterfall
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Photo by Chris Golightly
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Highland cattle
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Photo by David Vaaknin
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Old Man of Storr
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Photo by renaudderosa
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Tourists might enjoy viewing dinosaur footprints on the An Corran's beach near Staffin. The island has been inhabited since the Mesolithic times, including by the Pictish, Norse and various Scottish clans, and so, has many ancient archaeological sites to visit.
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The beach at Elgol
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Photo by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
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Loch Coruisk and Black Cuillin
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Photo by Tours of Scotland
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The Rha Falls
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Photo by Chris Golightly
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Photo by Frank Winkler
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The island may appear familiar to you because it is well known for providing shooting locations for films. You might have seen its vivid mountain ranges in movies like Stardust, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Wicker Man, Highlander, and The Land that Time Forgot.
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Old Man of Storr
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Photo by Frank Winkler
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Claigan coral beach
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Photo by David Burton
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Horns of Sligachan
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Photo by Ian Hex
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Fiskavaig Bay sunset
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Photo by RG Harvey
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View of Skye from Morar in the West Highlands
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Photo by Tommy Clark
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