So here it is: my guide to the Sleat Peninsula on the beautiful Isle of Skye. This part of the Isle of Skye has been one of my biggest discoveries of 2023. We've returned again and again over the course of this year, often with friends and family visiting from further afield. It's a truly beautiful (and, in my opinion, often underrated) part of the Isle of Skye and I cannot wait to continue returning to this part of the island in years to come.
The Vibes of the Sleat Peninsula
You may be thinking, "Heather, I've never even heard of the Sleat Peninsula?" and I wouldnt be surprised. Unlike other parts of the Isle of Skye, Sleat is much more lush and green than the rest of the island. It's no wonder the Sleat Peninsula is often called "the Garden of Skye". This also means that the Sleat Peninsula is often overlooked for some of more dramatic parts of the Isle of Skye in the north of the island.
However, if you are looking for a part of the Isle of Skye that has all the attractions you would normally look for in Scotland, look no further than the Sleat Peninsula. The Sleat Peninsula has castles and ruins, its own distillery, and is also home to Scotland's national centre for Gaelic language and culture. It really is a perfect spot to discover some of the best things the Isle of Skye has to offer.
Places to Eat
Throughout the Sleat Peninsula, there are a number of truly fantastic places to eat and drink. From quick takeaway spots to world famous restaurants, there are so many incredible options for eating and drinking on the Sleat Peninsula. Here are some of my favourites.
Kinloch Lodge
Serving delicious local food in this part of Skye for over 50 years, Kinloch Lodge is a delight in this part of the island. It has consistently been named one of the best small hotels in the UK for many years and their food is exquisite. Even in 2023, it was named as one of Conde Naste's top hotels to stay in Europe. At the start of 2023, we managed to visit at lunchtime to enjoy their tasting plate menu, which was some of the most delicious food we've had on the Isle of Skye.
Kinloch Lodge also serve dinner every day, which we haven't managed to try yet but are super excited to add to our list. You can find out more about the food offerings at Kinloch Lodge by visiting their website here. As a local to this part of the Isle of Skye, I still haven't managed to stay the night on this part of the island, but Kinloch Lodge is certainly on my list.
An Crubh
Translated as "the hub" in Gaelic, An Crubh is a cafe, shop and events space located on the Sleat Peninsula. It is a community space serving the people living on the Sleat Peninsula, as well as visitors to this part of the island. The Cafe at An Crubh serves breakfast and lunch options throughout the year, as well as coffees and cakes. The cafe space is beautiful and spacious with views overlooking the surrounding hills of the Skye and Knoydart on the mainland.
The shop next door sells many store cupboard essentials, as well as local crafts and produce from Skye and beyond, meaning it really has something for everyone. An Crubh also features a post office and is home to South Skye Motorhome Park. You can find out more information about everything that is happening at An Crubh and keep up to date with upcoming events by visiting their website here.
Places to Go
Torabhaig Distillery
Fancy sampling a dram at one of the Isle of Skye's newest distilleries? Head down to Torabhaig Distillery. Opened in 2017, Torabhaig is only the second legal distiller of whisky on the Isle of Skye and having a wee visit makes for a really interesting and enjoyable day trip on the island.
Torabhaig Distillery do distillery tours where you can learn about the process and art of whisky making seven days a week. They also have a gift shop where you can buy their malts and other products and a cafe which serves lunch and coffees. You can read about my experience on the Torabhaig Distillery tour here and find out more information about Torabhaig Distillery here.
Armadale Castle
The traditional home of Clan Donald, Armadale Castle and Gardens is a beautiful spot to discover some of the history of the people of Scotland and the Hebrides.
The grounds of Armadale Castle also house the Museum of the Isles. As a gal who loves a bit of history, this was an ideal place to learn about the Lords of the Isles, the Clan system in Scotland, the Jacobite rebellions and the Highland Clearances. We were given a little handheld audio guide to listen to as we explored, allowing for a deeper understanding of what was going on around us. We ended up spending about an hour exploring the museum and looking at everything they had on display in their exhibitions.
Point of Sleat Walk
Walk out to the southernmost point on the Isle of Skye, where you can see views over to the Small Isles and spot some of beautiful marine life that fills the waters around the West Coast of Scotland. Another highlight of the area nearby the start of this walk is a visit to Aird Old Church Gallery. Here you can find beautiful watercolours and prints of Scottish landscapes from local artist Peter McDermott-perfect for taking a piece of Scotland home with you.
Hidden Gems
Because parts of the Sleat Peninsula are lesser known than some other parts of the island, I think Sleat is full of hidden gems that many people are not expecting to find. We've still have a couple of spots on our list that we'd love to tick off over the next few months.
Dunscaith Castle
When we visited Dunscaith Castle almost two years ago, I didn't even realise that there was a ruined castle on this part of the island. I was so surprised to discover Dunscaith Castle, a home of the Macdonald clan until the 17th century, and see its magnificent views over the Cuillins, Loch Eishort and Loch Slapin. If you're looking for a short walk to discover a bit more of the history of the Sleat Peninsula, I highly recommend heading for a walk to Dunscaith Castle.
I am so excited to finally share my first Ultimate Guide with you all. This huge blogpost has taken me months to write and put together and I can't wait to continue adding to it as I explore the Sleat Peninsula more in the future. Keep your eyes out for more of these ultimate guides coming in the future.
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