Touring

Shown below are some of the places you might wish to visit during your holiday at Duisdale. They are all easily accessible and make for great day tours from Duisdale.

Apart from the West and North West Highlands tour ideas already featured in this section, which is quite sensational – perhaps try one of the following shorter day tours –

Plockton

If you do not wish to stay on the island, travel on from Kyle and journey a short distance up to the picturesque village of Plockton where palm trees flourish in the warm west coast winds. This part of the Scottish west coast is virtualy frost free due to the influence of the Gulf stream, a warm water current which sweeps up from the Gulf of Mexico and passes close to the shores of Scotland.

Ullapool

The idyllic white-washed fishing village of Ullapool curves round a natural peninsula on the shores of Loch Broom and is about 80 miles from Aspenwood on the west coast. Today there is still an important fleet of boats catching lobster, oyster, mussels and scallops for an international market. A very popular place in the summer season.

Summer Isles

For a longer trip journey on up along the west coast from Ullapool and view the Summer Isles situated at the mouth of Loch Broom. The islands of Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides can be seen across this stretch of water called The Minch on a clear day.
Pass the pinnacled peak of Stac Pollaidh - a favourite for climbers who really like a challenge.

There are wonderful secluded sandy beaches on the west coast often with a breathtaking backdrop of snow topped mountains.

Day trips from Skye to Harris/Lewis and Uists

On Saturdays between 20 May and 2 September 2006, it is possible to take the 9.40am ferry from Uig over to the Isle of Harris, then return from Tarbert on the evening boat at 8pm (reaching Uig at 9.40pm). You then have the day to explore the island on your own.

Alternatively, you can book a combined ferry and coach tour which is the ideal way to see the islands if you only have the day and don't want the expense of taking over your own vehicle. The coach meets the morning ferry at Tarbert then takes you over the mountains of Harris and up on a circular tour of Lewis (including Callanish, Carloway Broch and Stornoway) and brings you back to Tarbert in time for the 8pm ferry which arrives back on Skye at 9.40pm. Contact Caledonian Macbrayne to check prices and book.

You can buy a combined ferry and coach ticket to visit the isles of Harris and North Uist. Departures from ferry terminal Uig on Skye at 9.40am, return at 5.40pm. Only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from May to September. You sail to Lochmaddy to tour North Uist (2 hours) and then take the small ferry to Harris for a tour ending in Tarbert when you return via the ferry to Uig. Contact Caledonian Macbrayne to check prices and book.

On Sundays between 21 May and 3 September 2006, it is possible to take the 9.40am ferry from Uig on Skye over to Lochmaddy on North Uist, then return on the 4pm boat having spent around 4 hours exploring the island on your own (£15.65 pounds per person - not including a vehicle if you have one).

Isle of Raasay (off the east coast of Skye)

A small vehicle ferry operates on the 15-minute crossing between Sconser (11 miles south of Portree) and Raasay about 9 times a day during the summer (not Sundays) and maybe a few sailings less out of season. It is the ideal place for a day excursion or a longer stay. There is only one road on the island and no filling station, so if you take your car over, make sure you have a full tank of petrol