Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides & lies close to the north-west coast of the Scottish Highlands Skye is connected to Scotland's northwest coast by bridge. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillins, the rocky slopes of which provide dramatic mountain scenery & is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles
The name ‘Skye’ is probably from the Norse words Ski (cloud) and Ey (island). In Gaelic it is normally referred to as An t-Eilean Sgitheanach The island is marked on old Roman maps as "Scitis". In English it's sometimes referred to as the "Misty Isle" (Eilean a’ Cheo, in Gaelic).
The island has been occupied since the Mesolithic period and its history includes a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald. The 18th-century Jacobite risings led to the breaking up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances that replaced entire communities with sheep farms, some of which also involved forced emigrations to distant lands.
Skye is about 50 miles from north to south, and around 25 miles from west to east at its widest. The coastline is very irregular and indented by sea lochs. The coast is littered with bays, sea arches, stacks, caves, massive cliffs, waterfalls & fossils. This dramatic coastline surrounds some of the most exceptional and varied scenery to be found anywhere. Certainly there is nowhere in the country to compare with the magnificent, dramatic and challenging peaks and ridges of the Cuillin.
In the north-east is the Trotternish Peninsula, with the world famous ridge or escarpment that forms its backbone. The ridge rises to its highest point at the summit of the Storr - The Old Man of Storr. The ridge is also home to the Quiraing, another landslip area of pinnacles and gullies.
The Sleat peninsula to the south offers an altogether different sort of scene. Lush, wooded glens are interspersed with the most idyllic crofting communities. Nowhere does the land rise above 1,000 ft.
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