The Charm Of Portree

Advantages: A Lovely Place
Disadvantages: It's A Long Way From Anywhere

...Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye, which in case you didn't know Skye is the largest of the islands within the Inner Hebridean group of Islands. I have visited Skye many times over the years and I have previously written a general review on the Island "The Magical Misty Isle." Today I have decided to write a more specific review on Portree itself, because I feel that this place is worthy of a review in its own right. The Location & General Information Portree is situated 35 miles from Kyleakin, which is the first place on the island that you will arrive at when you cross the bridge to Skye from the Kyle of Lochalsh. This journey could take you around a hour however as there is basically only this one main road on the island and it does tend to get rather busy during the summer months. One good thing about Portree...

micksheff 10.10.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Portree (Scotland)

The capital of heaven

Advantages: A good base for touring the island
Disadvantages: Not too good if you need entertaining!

...Portree ? the capital of Skye! To those of you who have not had the very real pleasure of visiting the Isle of Skye I bet that conjures up mental images of a bustling city so I had better explain further. Portree is a lovely town situated on the East Coast of Skye, and it makes an ideal base for exploring, as it is quite central to the island. It is sheltered to the west by the island itself and to the east by the Isle of Raasay and beyond that the mainland of Scotland. The name Portree denotes Kings Harbour and recalls a visit by James V. A short, steep road descends to the harbour where you can see the lifeboat moored awaiting action. There are many pleasure craft here and boat trips leave at regular intervals. We went on a trip to see a salmon farm and then on to see the seals basking on one of the many smaller islands in...

SusanLesley 24.01.2001 (31.03.2002) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Portree (Scotland)

The kings pad

Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: see review

...I have stayed in Portree on several occasions and love the place, heres why- Situation ******** Portree is the largest settlement on the Island of Skye. For those of you who don?t know Skye is an island situated of the north west coast of Scotland.Portree is about an hours drive from the bridge that connects Skye to the mainland. The road leading to Portree is very scenic, but be prepared to crawl especially in the summer when Skye can get very crowded with tourists. Situated on the east side of the island about half way up the island, Portree makes a good base to explore the rest of the Island. The town ********* Portree is a really attractive town of about 2,500 inhabitants. It has a wonderful harbour, which is edged by different coloured houses, which look out to the deep-sea loch. Behind the harbour are hills. From...

anwar 01.01.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Portree (Scotland)

The Skye's Ciao's Limit.

Advantages: Mystical, magical, mythical place with drams.
Disadvantages: Scotch mist is free for the collecting.

...“A man came ridin’ oot the west One wild and stormy day. His mouth was lean and hungry His eyes were smokey grey. He was lean aboot the hurdies, But his shooders they were big. The terror o’ the Hielan’ Glens That was the Portree Kid.” Some time ago, on the Yahoo Group, I expressed the view that Ciao was obsessed with sponsorship and advertising, and seemed incapable of comprehending that without the support of its contributing members, it was nothing. Further to that view, I maintained that from now on, I would write here for my own amusement, to the best of my ability, for the entertainment of my many existing (and hopefully new) friends here. And since I clearly do not fit the Ciao mould (and never have) in terms of being attractive to sponsors or advertisers, and therefore do not...

Aspen 26.07.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Portree (Scotland)

The Misty Isle

Advantages: Stunning landscape, nice towns to visit
Disadvantages: None

...over the bridge to your hearts content. From Kyle you can see the town of Kyleakin , which is where the ferry from the mainland used to dock. Kyleakin is a small village, and without the ferry it is now effectively bypassed, as you don?t need to enter the village from the bridge if you are heading to the larger towns of Broadford and Portree, or to the mountains. Kyleakin has several shops and cafes, and it still has its small harbour (in which I saw a boat called Eilidh?not sure if that?s a good thing or not that a boat has my name!). Beside the harbour is the Bright Water Visitor Centre, which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the famous otter population of the area, notably on the small island of Eilean Ban , which the author and otter lover Gavin Maxwell lived on for a time. We had a quick look around, but it?s really...

eilidhcatriona 16.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Isle of Skye (Scotland)

In The Shadow Of the Cuillins.

Advantages: A place of outstanding natural beauty.
Disadvantages: Midges

...I have been going through Skye for what seems like decades on my way to the ferry terminal at the far end of the island at a delightful place called Uig, but have also stayed there and would like to give you an insight into the island and what it can offer to the tourist. Known as Eilean a' Cheò (The Misty Isle) this island certainly has plenty of rainy days, but I think the name Misty Isle conjures up images of mystery and intrigue, and certainly the island has many quite and hidden corners just waiting for you to explore. By way of introduction please do not judge Skye on the main road which runs throughout the island spine from the bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh to the town of Portree. It is fast and double track, and there are some good views from here, but the real Skye is to be found off this road which in the summer months is...

Violet1278 20.01.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Isle of Skye (Scotland)

SKYE THE MOVIE - THE PERFECT SOUVENIR

Advantages: lovely pictures, better than a postcard
Disadvantages: music from start to finish

...the winter of 2003 and finished in May 2004 and filmmaker Mahmoud Drury included his footage of the solar eclipse. The DVD is divided into seven sections. 1. HIGHLAND FESTIVALS. The Highland Piping Festival & Highland Games - this shows scenes from the festivals. Interesting, but not too exciting. 2. ANIMAL & PLANT KINGDOMS. This shows dolphins, eagles, seals, plus some of the castle gardens and the open countryside. I have been to some of the castles on Skye and they are well worth a visit. This is a nice section, especially the eagles. There is a centre in Portree where you can find out more about the eagles on Skye. 3. WATER WORLD. Dramatic footage from the deck of a vintage sailing boat, showing wonderful waterfalls, seascapes and beaches. Skye has several fantastic natural waterfalls and some are off the beaten track, so...

kismet 11.05.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Skye - The Movie (DVD)

THE MISTY ISLE (Eilean a'Cheo) ISLE OF SKYE

Advantages: Tranquility; breathtaking scenery; friendly islanders
Disadvantages: Wet and windy or Midgies - take your pick!

...enjoyed a return of the traveller seeking peace and tranquillity. Walkers, hikers, climbers, artists, sailors, musicians, photographers, writers?. the list is endless of the type of person this beautiful place beckons. If you'd like to visit: You can travel by road or rail. You can even fly, landing at Inverness Airport? but then you'd still have to hop on a train or hire a car to get you to either the Kyle of Lochalsh where the train stops or, if you want to go the very scenic a long way round, you could go via Fort William-Mallaig-Skye. Once you arrive on the island, be aware that there is very little public transport. The main town, Portree, can be accessed once a day by bus. The school bus in term time, and then a bus slightly later at other times. The journey takes about 1 hour.. Therefore, should you find yourself in the South...

Louizalass 17.01.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Isle of Skye (Scotland)

Limitless Skye!

Advantages: numerous
Disadvantages: its a long drive from the south!

...and the next the mist can close in, so always be prepared when out walking! What?s on offer here? ****************** Tourism is an important source of income for Skye and in season it is well set up for its visitors with plenty of good quality accommodation and places to eat. However there are no high tech attractions on Skye and its museums are small and intimate. We enjoy walking, climbing and being out doors generally and Skye has numerous walks of varying difficulty and some of the best climbing in Europe. I have listed some of the things we enjoyed and I hope you will too if you go! There is a tourist information centre in Broadford that can be contacted on 01478-612137 should you want any particular information. 1. Portree is the largest settlement on Skye and has a good range of shops including a well-stocked and friendly co...

anwar 28.04.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Isle of Skye (Scotland)

OVER THE SEA TO SKYE? YES PLEASE

Advantages: Beautiful scenery, peace and quiet, wildlife
Disadvantages: none (apart from it's a long drive from Devon!)

...the ferry used to sale from before the bridge was built. (Don't mention the bridge by the way, it's a sore point!) However since we were there, the tolls have been removed, so I am sure that everyone is a bit happier now! The White Heathers Hotel was lovely, overlooking the harbour and Castle Moil, and the proprieters Gillian and Craig made us really welcome. Gillian was full of knowledge about the island, and told us of several places to visit that weren't on the tourist map. Craig cooked us a lovely breakfast each day. Anyway, back to Skye itself..... Skye is renowned for its fog, why else is it called "The Misty Isle?". When we were there Skye was its usual self, on the Monday it was foggy and poured down with rain for half of the day, but we travelled across the island to Portree, stopping at various points along the way...

kismet 17.02.2005 (18.02.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Isle of Skye (Scotland)