Sleat Peninsula

Sleat, the long peninsula which stretches from Kinloch to Armadale, and eventually on to the Point of Sleat, enjoys a relatively sheltered position from which derives its reputation as the ‘garden of Skye’. It contains a number of remnant woodlands of oak, ash, hazel and birch as well as formal gardens and scatterings of exotics at Armadale Castle and other locations along its eastern edge, adjacent to the A851. You will therefore find woodland species here which are difficult to find on other parts of the island, and the greater density of species probably reflects the available shelter and cover. There are public footpaths to a number of these woodlands. Some of the remnant woodlands are more challenging but well worthy of exploration.

The coastal fringes only provide limited feeding in the intertidal zone, though offshore can always be rewarding and the Point of Sleat is an excellent spot for sea-watching and local migration.

LOCATION

1. Kinloch (NG700166). This is the car park which gives access to Forest Enterprise woodlands and an enjoyable walk to the deserted village of Leiter Fura. The area contains some mature hardwood stands and much of the modern forestry planting will eventually be replaced by hardwoods as part of a larger millennium forest project. A good area to look for warblers and flycatchers in summer. One of the few areas on Skye where there are resident Great Spotted Woodpeckers. You are always likely to see Eagles, Merlin or the occasional Peregrine. Nearby Loch na Dal is always worth a scan for Divers, waders and wildfowl, especially Teal.
2. Armadale Castle Policies (NG640047) Though full of exotic tree species this is an excellent sheltered garden, good for warblers and other passerines in spring and summer. A number of species, scarce elsewhere on the island, are likely to be found including ChiffChaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, and Wood Warbler.
3. Point of Sleat (NG563992) This involves a moderate walk, round trip 6 miles, by track and footpath to eventually reach the lighthouse. The final section can involve a little loop, approaching via the beautiful sandy beach at Camas Daraich, and returning via the lovely natural harbour near Acairseid an Rubha. This is an excellent location for sea watching from spring through to autumn with Shearwaters, Skuas, Gannets, Auks and Gulls high on the list. It is also an arrival and departure point for other migrants ‘island hopping’, including birds of prey, wagtails, Twite and Pipits, as well as waders. An excellent place to see good numbers of Whimbrel in early May. A location which is rarely watched but which could reap good pickings for those prepared to make the effort.
4. The Tarskavaig – Ord loop road (start at either NG650062 or NG673104) This unclassified road is a spectacular drive in itself with wonderful view of the Cuillins. In winter many of the lochs here hold Whooper Swans. There is a high probability of spotting a Golden Eagle from the car, as well as Hen Harrier or Merlin. The bays at Tarskavaig, Tokavaig and Ord are good for Great Northern Divers and Red Breasted Mergansers as well as Turnstone and the occasional Purple Sandpiper. From this route there is a beautiful walk to Coille Dalavil which starts at NG622068 - well worth the effort.

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THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean