Wanderlust

What’s there to see on the Isle of Skye? First and foremost the landscape. Stunning nature, wild, overwhelming, and best explored on foot. Skye is a hiker’s paradise. But don’t expect to be taking a leisurely stroll ever - the island is up and down, all the time, with nothing in between. I wholeheartedly follow the often heard recommendations for good footwear and rainproof clothing. 

We got our hands on a compact hiking guide in advance of the trip. “Isle of Skye - 40 Coast & Country Walks”. With hardly any one of those tracks missing the notes ‘steep/muddy’. Which brings us back to the weather. We took photos of Skye and Raasay which at first glance make it seem like there is sort of Mediterranean climate. But the Inner Hebrides are not in the Aegean, they lie on the 57th parallel receiving every bit of weatherly discomfort the North Atlantic has to offer. But how did the people of Scotland so adequately put it - “If you don’t like the weather, wait half an hour”.

Anyone travelling Skye without proper gear can easily end up in trouble. Sure, the Alasdair with its humble 1009m doesn’t sound like much of a challenge. But the rapidly changing weather conditions, causing zero visibility and dropping temperatures dangerously low, should not be taken lightly. Time and time again papers report of hikers who disappear in the Black Cuillins, only being found months later. If at all.