The Inner Hebrides

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye (Fig. 7.24.7.1 ) in the Inner Hebrides (which are taken to include Skye and the islands to the south: Canna, Rhum, Eigg, Muck, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Colonsay, Oronsay, Jura and Islay) has an area of over 1,600 sq. km and consists of a southern ridge, the Sleat Peninsula, of mainly Precambrian rocks, a central mountainous area of Tertiary intrusive rocks and a northern area of volcanic rocks. This account of the coast of Skye begins at Kyleakin, by the Kyle of Lochalsh bridge and follows an anticlockwise sequence around the island.

Fig. 7.24.7.1

The Isle of Skye. T Trotternish Peninsula; W Waternish Peninsula; D Duirinish Peninsula; M Minginish Peninsula; S Sleat Peninsula; CH Cuillin Hills; RHRed Hills. 1 – Kyleakin, 2 – Pabay Island, 3 – Broadford, 4 – Loch Ainort, 5 – Loch Sligachan, 6 – Portree, 7 – The Storr, 8 – Rigg, 9 – Kilt Rock, 10 – Staffin Island, 11 – Kilmaluag Bay, 12 – Rubha Hunish, 13 – Lob Score Bay, 14 – Uig, 15 – Loch Losait, 16 –...