The Isle of Skye is a gem of an island, lying off the west coast of Scotland, with beautiful mountain scenery, interesting geology, stunning sea lochs and plenty of wildlife.
It’s also just become the first place in the world to be ‘virtually twinned’ after being twinned with the fictional isles of Skylands as part of the promotion of the new Skylanders video game.
Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides lying of the west coast of Scotland and its landscape is distinctly Highland with its lochs, heather-clad moors and towering peaks.
Despite its small size, Skye boasts an impressive 20 Munros, making the island a favourite with hillwalkers keen to tackle the heights of its Cuillin mountain range. The Black Cuillin is famous for its dramatic jagged ridge and the Inaccessible Pinnacle, a 150 ft rock making Sgurr Dearg the only Munro in Scotland with a summit that can only be reached by rock climbing.
Under the shadow of the towering Black Cuillin lies Loch Coruisk. With its reflective waters and mountain scenery, the loch is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in Scotland.
Aside from the Munros, Skye features many other geological marvels such as the breathtaking landslip formation, the Quiraing, the astounding sea cliff of Kilt Rock on the rocky coastline of Trotternish, and strange rock pinnacles like the Old Man of Storr. The Faerie Pools of Glenbrittle are fast becoming a popular place for a swim thanks to its beautiful clear waters and spectacular surrounding scenery.
It was this beautiful scenery that led to the recent unique twinning partnership between the Isle of Skye and the virtual world of Skylands. In the world’s first every ‘virtual twinning’, Skye has provided some of the backdrop for the exciting new Skylander SWAP Force game, with key character Wash Buckler already having visited the island. The game brings toys to life by combining the physical characters playing in a virtual word with the ability to swap the top and bottom halves of the interactive figures.
Skye’s scenic landscape also provides a home for an abundant array of wildlife. Red deer, Scottish wildcats, pine martens and mountain hares roam the hillsides while around the coast you are sure to spot seabirds, seals and, if you are lucky, otters. In summer, why not take a boat trip, where you may catch a glimpse of dolphins, sea eagles and golden eagles? There are several companies providing boats trips around Skye, including Misty Isle Boat Trips, Elgol Boat Trips and Bella Jane Boat Trips.
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