Magical places on the Island, Spring special offer’s and
Traditional New Year dining ideas!
As the year draws in for 2022 and we begin to start celebrating the start of 2023 a brand new year, it is usually a time of reflection on the past year and plans for exciting new things to look forward too.
It is a magical time of year, spending time with family, exchanging gifts, eating scrumptious food and being cozy in front of the fire.
Here on the Isle of Skye we also have many magical places to visit.
Places to visit
The Fairy Bridge at the Waternish turn off also known as Beaul-Ath nan Tri Allt in Gaelic is said to be where the fairy left to go back to her people. Whilst here she married one of the chiefs of the Macleod clan and had a baby boy. She was only allowed to be here for a year and one day. When she left she wrapped her son in a silken shawl and left him at the bridge. The silken shawl now known as ‘The fairy flag’ could be used three times to save or protect the clan.
The fairy flag can now be seen on display at the Dunvegan Castle. A beautiful castle with lots of history and stunning gardens to walk around.
It reopens on the 1st of April 2023.
Whilst you are there you might spot the white tailed sea eagles which are nesting in the Waternish Peninsula!
Carrying on into Waternish and into Trumpan you will find a large car park. On the right there is an old ruined church and a graveyard. This is said to have been a medieval township dating back to around the 1300’s. It all ended in 1578 when there was a huge battle between two clan’s-the Macdonald’s and the Macleod’s. It is known as the ‘Battle of the spoiling of the dyke’
While the local Macleod’s were in the church, the Macdonald’s from Uist snuck over and set the thatch roof a light causing an enormous fire. Only one girl survived through a tiny window, she then ran to Dunvegan to get help. The Macleod’s raised the Fairy Flag and rushed over to Trumpan Church and attacked the Macdonald’s. They were then lined up against the dyke ( a wall ) which they pushed on to them burying them.
In the centre of Trumpan church there is a prehistoric standing stone called ‘Clach deuchainn’ which is also known as the ‘trial stone’ the ‘priest’s stone’ or the ‘heavens stone’. On the stone there is a small hole. If you were accused of wrong doing you would be brought to this stone and blindfolded, if you could put your index finger into the hole you were innocent!
Another magical place on the Isle of Skye is the Kilt Rock.
Legend has it that it was a Giant’s Kilt!
It is called Kilt Rock as the pleat’s on the rock look like the pleat’s on a Kilt! Vertical basalt columns (forming the pleats) and intruding sills of dolerite (forming the pattern) came together forming the kilt effect which you can see.
Whilst there if you stop and listen to the noise of the wind going through the bars of the railings it sounds like faeries playing!
It is a magnificent waterfall definitely worth a visit but take care on the paths!
The fairy walk is a super magical walk for the kids! It is located a few miles in on the single track road out to Struan, it is on the left leaving from Portree and there is a big gate at the entrance. Walk along the forestry and look for the hidden fairy doors on the trees! At the end of the walk you come to a beautiful fishing river and magnificent views
Traditional New Year’s meals
Once you are back at your cottage cozy with your fire lit, how about trying a traditional New Year Scottish meal?
For main meals there is a lot to choose from!
Steak pie
Mince and tatties or rumbledethumps which is potato, cabbage and onion bake!
Or for Burn’s night (January 25th) how about Haggis, neeps and tatties.
Finishing off with a dram of whisky or a nice cup of tea!
Slainte’ Math!
Self- catering cottages
Here at Islands and Highlands Cottages we have a delightful range of cottages available to book during 2023!
Including a spring special offer of 15% off selected properties from January 2nd to March 31st 2023 using code spring15.
As always if you have any enquiries or would like to make a booking please email us at sales@ihcottages.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.