The Longhouse is situated on the Sleat peninsula on the south west side of Skye. Off the beaten tourist track the Longhouse is surrounded by peace and tranquility. A true place to escape it all.
The house is accessible via the Skye Bridge or the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale, which is eight miles from Tokavaig. A former Viking settlement, Tokavaig is known for its native woodland which was said to be a special place for the druids. The ancient castle of Dunsgaith is nearby, one of the oldest fortifications in the Hebrides and the subject of many myths and legends.
Set amongst a traditional Highland crofting community, the area is rich in wildlife, such as otters and pine martens, the tip of the island is a haven for birds of prey including golden and white-tailed eagles. The island’s geology dates to the Jurassic period which established interesting rock formations, including the elaborate Quiraing. These ancient landscapes are an arresting backdrop for outdoor pursuits like walking, fishing, kayaking, whale watching, fossil hunting and sunset admiring.
A short stroll down the hill from the Longhouse you will find this specular castle ruin. The Castle of Dunscaith, or to use its more accurate name Dun Sgathaich, the Dun of the Shadow, was the original seat of the MacDonald’s in Skye, although not originally built by them. It is situated on an isolated rock in the north corner of Ob (bay) Gauscavaig on the south shore of the mouth of Loch Eishort, on the west side of the Sleat peninsula.
Camas Daraich. Lying in wait here is a stunning sandy beach which wouldn’t look out of place in the heart of the Caribbean. Not only are there gorgeous, soft golden sands, but crystal clear blue water laps at the shore, making for a truly spectacular sight. Visit Camas Daraich in its own right, or take a detour en route to the Point of Sleat – another of Skye’s many jaw-dropping vantage points Leave the car in the (small) car park – literally as far as you can go in Sleat – and prepare for the walk. It will take around 30-4o minutes to reach the beach, with some steep hills and boggy terrain thrown in for good measure, but ‘worth it’ is an understatement. As an added bonus, you’ll often find you’ll have the beach all to yourself, a benefit of the secluded, remote location.
The Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish Ridge is probably the most famous walk, and definitely one of the most popular attractions, on the Isle of Skye.
The Old Man (Bodach an Stòr in Gaelic), is a 55-metre-high pinnacle of basalt rock which is all that remains of a 2,800-million-year-old volcanic plug. The Trotternish Ridge (highest summit being The Storr at 719m) was created around 60million years ago by a massive landslip. Hot volcanic lava flowed onto the weaker sedimentary Jurassic rock beneath it causing the latter to collapse and form the undulating cliff faces of the eastern coastline of Trotternish. The magnificent pinnacles and weathered basalt rock formations of The Storr dominates the Island’s north-eastern landscape and can be seen for miles by travellers heading north as well as from the mainland. The Old Man walk takes about 45 minutes from the car park.
Free to visit at any time, the spectacular Fairy Pools are located near the village of Carbost in Glenbrittle on the Isle of Skye. As part of the MacLeod Estate, Glenbrittle runs roughly south to north along the River Brittle and is overlooked by the majestic Cuillin mountains. Many tributaries of the River Brittle run down from the Cuillin into the glen including a stream with waterfalls known as the Fairy Pools, a popular place for walkers. The Fairy Pools are beautiful rock pools of translucent mountain spring water fed by a series of waterfalls.
Visitors can embark on the stunning 2.4km walk from the car park to the Fairy Pools via the gravel path and bridges bordered with flowering heather up towards the largest waterfall, or walk further up the path and explore some of the smaller pools which lie ahead. The water of the Fairy Pools is crystal-clear, perfect for any adventurous swimmers brave enough to enter the icy waters. It is advisable to bring a wetsuit for this activity as these beautiful rock pools can be bracing.
The Distillery at Torabhaig, 20 minutes drive from the Longhouse, is the second ever licenced Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. The Excise Act of 1823 first sanctioned legal whisky distilling in Scotland almost 200 years ago, with the first licence on Skye being granted not long thereafter, so one could say it was about time.
Single Malt Scotch Whisky is inextricably linked to its place of origin, perhaps more so than any other product. The water, the land, the climate, all play a role in the character of the whisky. All these factors are also vitally important in planning a new distillery. Simply put, you cannot just build a distillery anywhere.
After a painstaking 4-year restoration and build, Torabhaig has been a fully operational Single Malt Scotch Whisky distillery since January 2017, the second ever on the Isle of Skye. The distillery is open for tours, tastings and has a delicious cosy cafe open all year round.