Isle of Skye

After a year and a half, I was finally being able to travel to travel to Croatia for the first time since my move to the US in September of 2024. Even though my husband and I were already married in a civil ceremony in California, it was important to us to receive the Catholic sacrament of marriage. We decided to wait until I could return home to Croatia and have a church ceremony in my hometown parish in front of my friends and family since none of them could be in California for the civil one. It was truly beautiful, private and just right. Especially because my husband’s immediate family was there too. After the church ceremony and one epic Croatian-American week, we went on our long awaited honeymoon in Scotland which was breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, beautiful architecture, and my husband somehow catching pneumonia halfway through the trip. Summed up in a quote:

…And the peat! Ah, the peat. 〜 Seinfeld (Season 3, Episode 19)

 

Trav and I took this small group guided tour that took us along the main landscape attractions from Inverness all throughout the Isle of Skye. Starting with the most famous loch in the world, Loch Ness, which, fun fact, holds more water than all the waters of England and Wales combined. Plus the whole Nessie lore which simply has to be mentioned. Even though I’m quite skeptical, my eyes were extra focused on the surface that early morning. Don’t tell me yours would’t be, too. I refuse to believe it. Felt like all the Loch Ness photos here should be in black and white to fit the mysterious moody aesthetics. Let me know if you see a plesiosaurus’ head in any of the photos. The second one shows the Urquhart Castle.

After the Loch Ness, we headed towards the Isle of Skye. The landscape drastically changed into what we expected highlands to be; barren mountains, peat and overcast skies. Bellow is the landscape along and around the Loch Cluanie.

Eilean Donan castle, situated on the shores of Loch Duich is the most iconic Scottish castle. It’s the one often seen on postcards and Scottish tourism ads. For all my fellow history buffs, it was primarily the MacKenzie clan stronghold (from 13th to early 18th century when it was destroyed by the British due to Jacobite uprising of 1719). Many highland castles share the same fate which is super sad because it portrays the systematic crack down on traditional clan system and highlander way of life (especially after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.). This one, however, was reconstructed after laying in ruins for 200 years.

Loch Alsh is the lake right before the little town of Kyle of Lochalsh and the bridge over to the Isle of Skye. The whole ride was bathed in beautiful morning light. Shout out to our tour guide and driver who played Outlander tv show intro song (over the sea to Skye) right at the moment we crossed into the Isle of Skye. Also, he introduced us to a number of good Gaelic music bands and artists like Nightworks and Duncan Chisholm.

Finally, we were on the Isle of Skye or the Misty Isle as they call it. As fate would have it, most of our day on the Isle was super sunny. Cold wind, though. Loch Sligacha is connected to the Atlantic Ocean and they say whales can be seen frequently. We didn’t see any, but we did see highland cows on the land.

One of the best mountain views we encountered were the Black Cuillins mountains, Sgùrr nan Gillean peak, river Sligachan and the old bridge from the early 19th century. Legend says if you submerge your face in the cold stream under the bridge for seven seconds, the fairies will grant you eternal youth.

Portree is the largest town and administrative center of the whole Isle. That’s where we had lunch and some free time to roam around the port town. Plus, it has one of the most fun city maps I’ve ever seen. More towns should have one. My favorite part of the map is The Planted Enchanted Forest. 🌳

Old Man of Storr is the most famous rock formation and the face of the Isle of Skye. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to hike to it and take more photos, but just seeing it from the road was amazing nonetheless. Next time, for sure.

Kilt Rock Waterfall and Creag An Fhèilidh are situated on the rocky coast of Trotternish peninsula, known for its otherworldly landscapes. Kilt Rock is a more popular name due to the kilt shaped folds of the rock. The second photo is of the mainland Scotland mountains in the distance across the sea.

Bioda Buidhe with Trotternish Ridge in the background photos are my favorite ones from the whole day trip. The low January sunlight and the impressive landscape is a photographer’s dream. Before we visited Scotland, these images were what I imagined when I thought of the Highlands. The barren mountains, impressive ridges in vivid, earthy colors. However, if you’re visiting in mid January, bundle up, the strong wind goes through your bones.

On our way back to the mainland and Inverness, we passed by the same landscape, now in different light. The sun was setting, bathing the mountains and ridges in golden colors. I was absolutely stunned by this trip. If you only have a day to explore the Isle, I absolutely recommend Rabbie’s tour groups. Small shuttle, you don’t feel like you’re part of the mass, wonderful staff. Would book them again in a heartbeat. God bless!

All photos taken with a Canon 5D Mark IV + 35mm f/1.4