Isle of Skye-Day for Loch Coruisk vs Dunvegan/Neist Point

If the weather next week is anything like our current weather then I think you will want to consider whether the boat trips will even be running. All things being equal then I think a teen is much more likely to enjoy the loch Coruisk experience and would probably find the castle rather dull. However, as I say the October weather is unpredictable. At the moment we have heavy winds and torrential rain, which would render both the boat trip and Neist Point off limits. Neist has some of the highest sea cliffs in Scotland and it is one of the windiest places on the island. I would not want to be there in high winds.

A low level hike to somewhere like Braes Beach might be better in poor weather.

the first named storm of the year, Amy is on the way for tomorrow with the first stuff already in western Scotland. This is a big one, a merger of two former American hurricanes.

After the storm has passed you are advised to check locally on the conditions on the roads, watching out for flooding and trees down and land slips. Don't venture off without.

Do the boat trip if weather allows. IMHO skip Dunvegan castle - it's more like a stately home with lots of family mementos than an actual castle. Dun Beag hill fort and Duntulm Castle ruin are interesting stops.

You might want to consider a short road trip off Skye - Duirinish has highland cows, Plockton is a pretty village with some good walks and restaurants. That would be about 80 miles round trip. You could also head past Eilean Donan Castle for a photo op (no need to visit unless you need a rainy day activity) and up to Ratagan Viewpoint. It is possible to continue on that road and take the Gleneig Ferry back to Skye if their schedule works for you.

I found our visit to Dunvegan Castle really boring. It all seemed to be about family history and Clan MacLeod history. Not having any links to either, I soon lost interest.

Thanks for the replies...these insights and additional ideas are very helpful! We had placed a "possible" by taking the Glenelg Ferry when leaving Skye if time allowed, so very nice to hear that it could be a fun side venture.

Loch Coruisk is the trip to do - it’s a magnificent half day out if you can get some half decent weather for it.

We often ‘run into’ Highland cattle on the Elgol road so , look out for them as they stroll a long the tarmac!

You could pop down to Glen Brittle after the boat trip to have a stroll on the beach below the Black Cuillin or even do the Fairy Pools walk, if that appeals.Cafe Cuil is excellent for lunch/a snack stop, on the Carbost road at Satran.

https://www.cafecuil.com/

Amy’s Place on the Elgol road is also worth a stop for a snack amidst stunning scenery.

The castle might work in the afternoon or drive a little further beyond it, to do the Coral Beaches walk - if energy and time allow.Quite a bit of driving however.

Hi, whitallen4,

Don't know whether you've made your choices yet, but if you do decide to take the Loch Coruisk boat trip, don't count on travelling too far past the Coruisk Jetty. With the recent spate of bad weather, the footpath along the west side of Coruisk is going to be very boggy. Crossing to the east side of the loch involves crossing River Scavaig on stepping stones. If the river is in spate, it would be well nigh impossible to cross. The east side is less boggy, until you get near the head of the loch.

You might want to consider Cynthia's recommendation for Duirinish and Plockton. If you end up in Plockton, I'd recommend taking a seal watching trip aboard the Sula Bheag with Calum's Seal Trips. Great fun, and a good way to see Loch Carron.

Best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)