Hikes in Sleat, South Skye
Fiona's guide to hikes in Sleat, South Skye
The hikes mentioned here, are within easy reach of Coachman's Quarters, on Sleat. The Isle of Skye is known as the winged isle because it has a mountainous centre with many wings branching off. Sleat is the Isle of Skye's southern wing or peninsula, also called 'The Garden of Skye'. To get more information about the hikes you can download the leaflet called Paths Around Sleat produced by Visit Sleat or visit www.walkhighlands.
Skye has a lovely shoreline/ beaches. However be aware that at high tide the beaches and rocky shore are submerged. Depending where you are, if you are hanging out down one end of a beach or walking along the shore it is easy to get cut off when the tide is just half way in because the sea doesn't rise in a straight line. So keep an eye out on your retreat route. Visit the website Easy Tides for tidal information and download the app Tides Near Me which is really easy to use. The nearest tidal information for Knock Bay, (next to cottage) is Mallaig.
Scenic views. Knock Castle and Knock Bay, 10 - 15 minute stroll from A851. Visible from road. Do not drive down farm track.
Walk along the farm track next to Torabhaig Distillery and follow it down to towards the sea till you reach a cottage with private garden on the right. 1/ To reach the castle walk across the bridge in front of you and then immediately take a mud path on your right and follow it across a stream and onwards. The uneven terrain can be muddy, boggy after rain and once out of the woods care must be taken because of the sloping land and potted uneven shoreline. Keep children close and take a stick if it helps. You walk up open grassland to the historic but now ruined Knock Castle. 2/ To reach Knock Bay, at the cottage turn right and walk along the informal grass path about 100 yards to the bay. Do NOT walk through the cottage garden. Both Knock Castle and Knock Bay are in a very scenic setting. But do take care. The sea reaches the shore line at high tide and you can get cut off when the tide is just half way in. Take care also, visiting the castle, as the headland is a sheer drop and masonery can be loose.
Address: A851, Teangue, Track next to Torabhaig Distillery, North Shore of Knock Bay, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV44 8RR
Attraction Type: Castle ruin and bay
Location map
OS: NG674092
Knock Bay
Scenic views. Knock Castle and Knock Bay, 10 - 15 minute stroll from A851. Visible from road. Do not drive down farm track.
Walk along the farm track next to Torabhaig Distillery and follow it down to towards the sea till you reach a cottage with private garden on the right. 1/ To reach the castle walk across the bridge in front of you and then immediately take a mud path on your right and follow it across a stream and onwards. The uneven terrain can be muddy, boggy after rain and once out of the woods care must be taken because of the sloping land and potted uneven shoreline. Keep children close and take a stick if it helps. You walk up open grassland to the historic but now ruined Knock Castle. 2/ To reach Knock Bay, at the cottage turn right and walk along the informal grass path about 100 yards to the bay. Do NOT walk through the cottage garden. Both Knock Castle and Knock Bay are in a very scenic setting. But do take care. The sea reaches the shore line at high tide and you can get cut off when the tide is just half way in. Take care also, visiting the castle, as the headland is a sheer drop and masonery can be loose.
Address: A851, Teangue, Track next to Torabhaig Distillery, North Shore of Knock Bay, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV44 8RR
Attraction Type: Castle ruin and bay
Location map
OS: NG674092
This is a lovely circular 1& 1/2 - 2 hour woodland walk on Skye's Sleat peninsula. The walk is much loved by locals with magnificent views across the Sound of Sleat to Isle Ornsay, and to Knoydart on the mainland. The walk leads you to the abandoned crofting township, Leitir Fura, one of Scotland's best butterfly sites. Good car parking. Suitable for families. Visit www.walkhighlands.co.uk or www.theskyeguide, for more information. It is signed off the A851, almost opposite the Drumfearn turn off, four miles south of Broadford.
Google (map) : Leitir Fura, Sleat Isle of Skye, IV44
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Leitir Fura
This is a lovely circular 1& 1/2 - 2 hour woodland walk on Skye's Sleat peninsula. The walk is much loved by locals with magnificent views across the Sound of Sleat to Isle Ornsay, and to Knoydart on the mainland. The walk leads you to the abandoned crofting township, Leitir Fura, one of Scotland's best butterfly sites. Good car parking. Suitable for families. Visit www.walkhighlands.co.uk or www.theskyeguide, for more information. It is signed off the A851, almost opposite the Drumfearn turn off, four miles south of Broadford.
Google (map) : Leitir Fura, Sleat Isle of Skye, IV44
I am recommending the lovely Armadale Hill and woodland 5.5 km hike (2 hours) behind the Castle grounds. From the hill top you can see the inner isles and the Cuillin ridge. The loch to your lower left is an old Viking Harbour. The walk up gives panoramic views to the mainland. Depending on the time of day you may encounter deer, a heron, owls, an otter. in the summer it's great for butterflies and beetles as the different habitats you walk through in quick succession - woodland, meadow, moorland provide precise demarcation for different varietie/ species. You can park in an unsigned but well used wooded layby next to a sharp bend in the A851 known locally as Mill Bridge; then walk left and cross the road to walk up a steepish woodland farm track. At the top the track veers to the left. Follow this flat section and enjoy the extraordinary views. Go through two more gates. Then follow the path round a derelict farm building to continue up the hill. Go through another forestry gate and onwards. suitable in all weathers and for children but keep dogs on a leash as there are lots of sheep. You can also park at Armadale carpark and walk briefly along the main road past the Castle restaurant building, taking the first tarmac road on the right signposted Armadale lodges. Walk up the road, following it round to the right till you come to the afore mentioned derelict farm building where you join the final uphill track. Another option is to pay to visit Armadale Castle Gardens and access the hill from their grounds.The app won't let me post a photograph of the walk. There are two ways
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Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum of the Isles
I am recommending the lovely Armadale Hill and woodland 5.5 km hike (2 hours) behind the Castle grounds. From the hill top you can see the inner isles and the Cuillin ridge. The loch to your lower left is an old Viking Harbour. The walk up gives panoramic views to the mainland. Depending on the time of day you may encounter deer, a heron, owls, an otter. in the summer it's great for butterflies and beetles as the different habitats you walk through in quick succession - woodland, meadow, moorland provide precise demarcation for different varietie/ species. You can park in an unsigned but well used wooded layby next to a sharp bend in the A851 known locally as Mill Bridge; then walk left and cross the road to walk up a steepish woodland farm track. At the top the track veers to the left. Follow this flat section and enjoy the extraordinary views. Go through two more gates. Then follow the path round a derelict farm building to continue up the hill. Go through another forestry gate and onwards. suitable in all weathers and for children but keep dogs on a leash as there are lots of sheep. You can also park at Armadale carpark and walk briefly along the main road past the Castle restaurant building, taking the first tarmac road on the right signposted Armadale lodges. Walk up the road, following it round to the right till you come to the afore mentioned derelict farm building where you join the final uphill track. Another option is to pay to visit Armadale Castle Gardens and access the hill from their grounds.The app won't let me post a photograph of the walk. There are two ways
The point of Sleat lighthouse is the most southern point of Skye with views to the small isles of Rum, Canada and Eigg. There is a lovely white sandy beach ( covered at high tide) great for a picnic or a swim. You may see seals. The walk is a mixture of rolling farm track with free roaming cattle, and rocky path ( wear walking boots). It is 9km long taking about 2 & 1/2 hours. You park in the car park at the end of the single track road from Armadale.
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Point of Sleat
The point of Sleat lighthouse is the most southern point of Skye with views to the small isles of Rum, Canada and Eigg. There is a lovely white sandy beach ( covered at high tide) great for a picnic or a swim. You may see seals. The walk is a mixture of rolling farm track with free roaming cattle, and rocky path ( wear walking boots). It is 9km long taking about 2 & 1/2 hours. You park in the car park at the end of the single track road from Armadale.
The views of the Cuillins from this short, flat 1km walk are stunning. There has been a fort at Dun Scaith Castle since the iron age and it was the reputed home of the legendary Queen Scathae in the days of Fingal. Take either the Ord or Tokavaig single track turn off the A851. Park and start at Tokavaig Bay between Tarscavaig and Ord, following the path through the gate. The ground can be very boggy in places. Don't attempt to cross the metal bridge to the ruin and visit at low tide if you want to wander through the arch at ground level. Great shoreline. Keep dogs on a leash because of shhep and cattle.
Dunscaith Castle
The views of the Cuillins from this short, flat 1km walk are stunning. There has been a fort at Dun Scaith Castle since the iron age and it was the reputed home of the legendary Queen Scathae in the days of Fingal. Take either the Ord or Tokavaig single track turn off the A851. Park and start at Tokavaig Bay between Tarscavaig and Ord, following the path through the gate. The ground can be very boggy in places. Don't attempt to cross the metal bridge to the ruin and visit at low tide if you want to wander through the arch at ground level. Great shoreline. Keep dogs on a leash because of shhep and cattle.