I'm on the Sleat peninsula along the southern edge of the Isle of Skye.
These are the historic lands of the Macdonald clan, the lords of the isles, but Sleat is also a
centre of creativity and for the promotion of the Gaelic language. Welcome to the Garden of Skye.
There are self-catering cottages dotted all along the Sleat peninsula but I'm staying at the wee
croft house, a five-star cottage in an idyllic location and with a five-star view to match!
Truly awe inspiring. What a way to start the day!
Sleat is known as the Garden of Skye because its fertile soils contrast so dramatically with the
mountains and peaty moorlands of the rest of the island, and without doubt this is the number one
garden in Sleat. I'm at Armadale castle the former home of the Macdonalds of Sleat. Now,
it's October so we're not going to see flourishing rhododendrons, but we should see the rich tones of
autumn.
Armadale castle is thought of as the spiritual home of clan Donald: what you can see today was
mainly constructed in the late 18th century but in the mid-19th century a fire destroyed most of it
and then it fell into disrepair and was sadly partially demolished in the 1980s, but that
leaves a very evocative ruin for us to enjoy today. This stunning house also made the best
use of its setting with incredible views across the Sound of Sleat with its ever changing sky.
No matter when you come here you'll always find two gorgeous little Skye terriers
waiting to greet you!
Well i think i've had the place to myself but i may have seen
some of those fairies for which Skye is famed, just out the corner of my eye!
Just a stone's throw from the cottage lie the ruins of castle knock, also known as castle camus,
built by the clan Macleod in the 15th century, it was quickly stormed by the Macdonald's
when they swept in and they fought off invaders for 200 years before it fell into ruin.
Many of the old bricks from the castle ended up in this adjacent farm which has now been converted
into the fabulous Torabhaig distillery, the newest distillery on the Isle of Skye. The distillery
opened in 2017 and it's expecting its first batch of malt whisky in early 2021. I can't wait.
A short walk from the cottage there's a sign for a pottery - let's pay a visit!
The road to the northwest coast of Sleat is narrow, winding and a little bit congested here
and there (!) but at the end you're rewarded with incredible views across to the Cuillins.
And if you're lucky you'll also see the Isle of Rum, majestic across the Sea of the Hebrides.
Today there are heavy showers rolling in from the atlantic and the sky is so dramatic, and the way
that it interacts with the landscape here it's - well - I'm not a poet and I wish I was so I could
describe some of the incredible images that you see as you look around here - there are mountains
that are suddenly bathed in light - a minute later they're black and they disappear - and then there
are rainbows popping up all over the moorlands -and then the Sound of Sleat itself glistens in
the sunlight one minute and then disappears beneath sheets of rain the next. It's just
breathtaking. Two famous travellers came here in 1773:
Dr Samuel Johnson and James Boswell. Now of course they stayed in the lap of luxury with
the Macdonalds of Sleat at Armadale but they did explore the area on horseback and this is
what Boswell wrote at the time: "we rode for some time along the district of Sleat near the shore.
The houses in general are made of turf and covered with grass".
Well I'm pleased to say that 250 years later
the houses have changed dramatically and are very cozy indeed!
Well it's time for me to go but I've got a rainbow to send me on my way!
I've had an amazing time here. Click subscribe and I'll see you on the next journey.