Isle of Skye is the largest of Scotland’s islands and also part of the Scottish Highlands. The best way to travel in Skye is by car, but since we could not drive, we first reached the end point of the Scottish Rail, Kyle of Lochalsh, then took a bus to Portree, the capital town of Skye. The next day we took a bus to Dunvegan Castle and joined a tour to visit some places in the Skye.

Sheep were found everywhere in the Highlands. They were so cute.
One can also easily find the prickly purple thistle which is the emblem of Scotland (see the first picture on the left above).

Dunvegan Castle has been the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years. The castle represents a typical example of the clan system in the Highlands of Scotland. Clans identify with geographical areas originally controlled by the Chiefs, usually with an ancestral castle or manor. The clan chief had duties in relation to clan members, which included providing help and support (including the allocation of smaller parcels of land) and, in the absence of any other legal framework, resolution of disputes and exercising justice. The clan chief could also demand that clan members join him either in defending clan lands or on raids on adjoining territory to extend clan lands or steal cattle. Each clan has its own tartan patterns. The clan system was the effective means of government in the Highlands from around 1000 AD until it was essentially eliminated by the British in 1745, due to partly the monarch’s wish to establish his authority and partly the influence of the Lowlands to the Highlands.

We had experienced hospitality and friendliness in Portree. Our accomodation was about half hour’s walk from the town centre. One day while we were leaving our accomodation for the town centre, a taxi suddenly stopped by us. The driver was an old man full of grey hair. He offered to give us a free ride. In his own words, “for showing our hospitality. I am going to the town centre anyway”.  Still, we were grateful for his kindness.

The pier of Portree was very pretty under the blue sky. There we met a local resident who pointed to us a seal emerging from the water (see the first picture on the left below). He said the seal came close to the pier and scared off the mackerels which he was trying to fish. We had a short chat. He was very friendly and showed us where we should visit in the Skye.