Epona Cottage

Things to do

What can we say about walking that hasn't already been said?!  The island offers a brilliant blend of walking opportunities that cater for every person.  From the technically difficult routes on the world famous Cuillins to pleasant strolls to the coral beaches near Dunvegan, there is something to suit everyone.  Closer to home, there are some lovely walks very close to where you will be staying - you can experience the exhilaration of a cliff top route to the lighthouse at Waternish Point making sure that you keep your eyes peeled for our rare summer visitor, the Basking Shark.  You can also walk to Score Bay and further round the headland to a series of secret coves.  For those feeling even more adventurous, there is a very steep track down the cliffs below the croft that will give you access to a very secluded piece of coastline that makes you think you are in a new undiscovered world!  You won't be alone though, as it's not too long before the seals come to see who's there, such is their inquisitive nature!

Another popular activity is provided by the various Horse and Pony Trekking Centres located nearby.  These centres can provide a horse riding experience to suit people of all abilities in lovely surroundings.  If you are interested we can give you some information when you arrive.

Skye can offer some of the finest fishing on the West Coast of Scotland, whether that be fly fishing for wild brown trout or drifting over reefs, fishing for sea fish such as pollock, ling and mackerel.  Our son is a member of Portree Angling Association so he can give advise on waters to fish and how to gain access/book boats/buy permits.  If game fishing is your thing, you will be spoilt for choice in spectacular surroundings.  On virtually every occasion you will never see another soul as you fish your team of flies on a remote hill loch or small spate burn.  Some of the best fishing can be had on the Storr Lochs where boats can be booked and fly fishing traditional loch style for wild brown trout is the name of the game.  The island has also experienced an upturn in salmon and sea trout returns in recent seasons on our main river, the Snizort.  Although ideally you need to match the right time of year and spate conditions, salmon and sea trout can be caught on many other smaller rivers that drain into the sea at various points round the northern end of the island.  The sea fishing is great too.  If you have a boat that can be trailed, then you are spoilt for choice in terms of points to launch (such as Stein, 5-10 minutes drive away) and marks to fish.  If you don't have a boat it doesn't matter as catching fish from the rocks and at places like Neist Point is not particularly difficult, just watch out for the sharks!  Feel free to check out the Highland Fishing page where more information is given.  If you do come to stay, I know our son Mathew would be really willing to help you in any way he can.  Maybe you want to catch your first ever fish or native wild brown trout, who knows?

When we say 'attractions' I guess that can mean anything from pubs to live music, craft shops to castles, mountains to the sea.  On Waternish there are a number of craft shops specialising in traditional products and an excellent sea food restaurant and an Inn offering over 100 malt whiskeys!  There are a number of points of historic interest spanning from Fairy Bridge, the gateway to Waternish, right through to the Church at Trumpan, scene of one of the bloodiest moments in the feuding history between the Clans of MacLeod and MacDonald.  From your base on Waternish you can easily access the popular centres such as Portree, Dunvegan and its castle, and also travel to see spectacular views of the Cuillins at Glen Brittle.  From the holiday let you can see right across to the Trotternish ridge and it is well worth the drive to see the towering Old Man of Storr, the views from Kilt Rock and the Quirang with its jagged landscape like something from another world.  There is simply not enough space to talk about everything here, this will hopefully give you a flavour, but please investigate our links to the Skye website where you will find even more information.