Locale

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on such a magical place as
Scotland's Isle of Skye ...

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The Captain's House
Macleod Terrace
Stein, Waternish
Isle of Skye
Scotland IV55 8GA

tel: 01470-592223

Waternish is still very much a peaceful traditional crofting area, little affected by the passage of time and one of the most unchanged parts of Skye. Magnificent views west to Dunvegan Head, and out over the Minch to the Outer Hebrides, can be enjoyed from much of the peninsula, together with views east across Loch Snizort to Trotternish.

Activity: There are plenty of fine walks, long and short in Waternish alone. The area is rich in wildlife and flowers, with eagles, otters and an abundance of orchids. It is also a good base from which to explore North West Skye and visit the Cuillins. There is also a diving centre (Dive & Sea the Hebrides) and a jetty.

Eating & Drinking: Stein is well served for visitors. It is home to the oldest pub on Skye, the Stein Inn, which offers real ale, a fine selection of whiskies and good food in the bar and dining room, all within the setting of a sensitively restored 200 year old building of great charm and character. 100m away at the other end of the village is the Michelin-starred Loch Bay Restaurant of renowned Skye chef Michael Smith. Other establishments a little further afield include the fine cuisine of the restaurant at the Greshornish House Hotel, the warm welcome and great food at the Edinbane Lodge, or the acclaimed award-winning menu of The Three Chimneys at Colbost.

First, a look round Waternish starting at The Fairy Bridge. Legend has it that if you first enter Waternish over the Fairy Bridge, then your heart will forever belong to Waternish

The Boy's Cairn or Cat Cairn, which has its own supernatural legend

Bay, the south end of Lochbay, a quiet , tranquil shore well worth a visit

Stein and Lochbay township from the shore at Bay

Allt a' Chaim, the hill of the tinkers. one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all of Scotland

Soon after Allt a' Chaim, by the thatched cottage in Lochbay, comes the second great Waternish panorama, the view out over Stein to the Minch and Outer Isles

The view back of Lochbay township from the road down to Stein

Past Stein and looking west over Fasach park

Storm clouds over the Minch, seen from between Fasach and the War Memorial

Looking back towards Fasach from the War Memorial

Travelling north along the Waternish road , spectacular views out across the Minch continue to unfold,

Looking north from Dunhallin to Upper Halistra

......and a little further along, Upper Halistra and the road to Carnach

Carnach seen from the lower parks of Dunhallin

During the summer, there is an abundance of orchids on the crofts

The view north west from Hallin Park

The weather can be quite spectacular............

The traditional crofting township of Geary on the north east coast of Waternish

North east Waternish, Gillen and Geary from the clifftop walk at Scorr Bay

Scorr bay looking south and Loch Snizort

The view back down Lochbay from Ardmore

Trumpan Church, a wild and windy place..........

Trumpan again, a scene of massacres and plots............

The Trial Stone, if you can put your finger in the hole, blinfolded, you're innocent. If not, Hangman's Knoll is not far away.............

Near Waternish Point are the ruins of Unish House, reputedly the first proper house on Skye

We don't get much snow, but when we do, it's spectacular...

...........and the sky can be amazing........

Lochbay township in snow

Snowscene from Hallin Park

Looking north from Dunhallin

.......and down towards Carnach.......

Waternish is famed for its sunsets....this is the classic view from Allt a Chaim

.........but the sunsets are good wherever you are on Waternish............

.....and after the sunset, what better accompliment is there..........

......than a generous dram of Talisker, our local brew..........

Then a brief tour of Skye, starting in the centre at the Cuillins

.....north through Portree, looking back to the Cuillins from the Meall

...carrying on north up Totternish to the Quiraing

Trotternish Ridge

The north end of Trotternish Ridge

Then south to The Old Man of Storr

....now heading west towards MacLeod's Tables

Continuing west, looking towards Colbost and the road to Glendale

Fasach in Glendale

Skye's western most spot, Neist Point , the lighthouse and Waterstein Head

Looking across Loch Dunvegan from Galtrigill towards Waternish and Stein

Looking south across Husabost towards Dunvegan

Dunvegan Castle, home of MacLeod of MacLeod for over 1000 years

Starting to head east but looking back towards a moody Roag and MacLeods Tables

........and catching another mood of Skye, the Tables in December

Continuing east and looking down Loch Harport to the Cuillins

Detouring into Minginish to Fiscavaig and looking towards MacLeod's Maidens

St Maelrubha's Chapel by Loch Eynort has a legend of its own

Cuillins moods from Sligachan

....now heading towards Elgol and lingering on the shore of Loch Slapin with Blaven in the background

.....on to the shore at Elgol and one of the classic views of the Cuillins

Then down into Sleat to Camus Cross

.....and down towards Aird of Sleat, looking north here over Tormore and the Sound of Sleat to Sandaig - Gavin Maxwell's Camusfearna

Finally to leave over the Skye Bridge, seen here with PS Waverley, the last ocean going paddle steamer in the world and a regular visitor to Skye

Leisure: Many of Skye’s craft workers are in the North West and should not be missed. In Waternish there is the SkyeSkyns tannery & shop. And, of course, Dandelion Designs craft workshop and Images Gallery on the ground floor of 'The Captain's House' itself!

Nearby are Edinbane Pottery, and the Croft Studio at Dunvegan.

Also look out for the Gallery and Studio Trails booklet available throughout the island and its associated website
www.art-skye.co.uk for a comprehensive guide to arts and crafts on Skye

Interest: The history and folklore of Waternish encompass a romantic and turbulent past ranging from the Clan Wars of the MacLeods and MacDonalds, through the supernatural to the tragic and intriguing tale of Lady Grange, secretly imprisoned in the Hebrides for 15 years by her Jacobite husband, she was buried at Trumpan.

Local historic sites abound, including a number of ancient monuments such as Trumpan Church, scene of a bloody battle when, on a Sunday in 1578, the Clan Macleod were surprised at worship, locked in the church and burned alive within, by the MacDonalds of Uist, who were themselves massacred within hours on a nearby shore! Others include Dun Hallin and several famous Clan battle sites, as well as the village of Stein itself.

The rest of North West Skye is readily accessible from Stein and well worth exploring. Dunvegan is no more than 15 minutes drive away and offers food shops, petrol, crafts and a good choice of eating places as well as Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the Clan MacLeod, and probably Skye’s main visitor attraction.

You can find out more about visiting Scotland in general on the 'Welcome to Scotland' website by clicking www.welcome-scotland.com, Waternish in more detail at www.visitwaternish.co.uk and the Isle of Skye in general at www.IsleOfSkye.com.

Member of www.HolidayHomeRental.co.uk.

Other Links:

ROOTS Consulting Services - Personalised Tours and Family History Research

A SHORT VIDEO OF STEIN FROM THE AIR

Our very great thanks to HG(Huub) van der Zee for allowing us use of the video! (HGZ Fotografie en Video) (https://huubvanderzee.smugmug.com/Schotland / http://home.vanderzeedigitaal.nl)