Quad Biking on the Isle of Skye

Highland Activities at Clan Donald Skye

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Clan Donald Skye’s Visitor Centre is located in Armadale, 16 miles south of Broadford on the A851. It is easily reached from the mainland by taking the Skye Bridge, at Kyle of Lochalsh, or by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale (a 25-minute crossing). The Centre is just a short walk from the ferry terminal at Armadale.

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You can travel by train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, or from Glasgow via Fort William to Mallaig.

Local bus services connect with most trains and ferry services.

For more information, click on the transport links below.

Caledonian MacBrayne Hebridean & Clyde Ferries

Scotrail

Citylink

About The Clan Donald Centre

Clan Donald Skye is a 20,000-acre highland estate on the Sleat peninsula in south Skye. Once part of the traditional lands of Clan Donald, the Estate was purchased by the Clan Donald Lands Trust in 1971. The Trust was established to promote an understanding of the history and traditions of Clan Donald and the Lordship of the Isles. As custodians of this wonderful estate, the Trust has worked tirelessly to save and develop this important resource for the benefit of visitors to Skye and, importantly, for the local community.

The Estate offers some stunning walks for all levels of fitness, with views eastwards across the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart, or on the west of the peninsula across to the Cuillin mountain range. It is home to iconic wildlife species including red deer, golden eagles and sea eagles.

The Estate’s principal focal points are the restored historic gardens, and the beautiful walking trails threading through the 40 acres of woodland around Armadale Castle. Part of the Castle has been restored and the striking ruined remains sensitively re-designed, to create an attractive landscape within the gardens.

The fully accredited Museum of the Isles, opened within the gardens in 2002, incorporates the Library and Study Centre. The Trust has also built holiday accommodation and established a lively and vibrant Visitor Centre that appeals to all age groups. Disabled facilities are available at the Centre.

Restaurant

Are you looking for fresh home baking, local produce, a great atmosphere and friendly service? All of these are on offer in our Stables Restaurant, housed within the restored stables building. Our restaurant is perfect for that coffee and cake to re-fuel you after your stroll around our gardens, or for a hearty lunch if you are planning to follow one of our woodland walks or estate trails. In July and August the restaurant is open until 8.30pm for delicious evening meals. The Stables is also available for hire as a special venue.

Gift shops

For that perfect holiday souvenir there are have three lovely gift shops at the Centre. The Stables Gift Shop, housed within the restored stables building, offers a wide range of unique and tasteful gifts. It also carries an impressive range of books, many relating to Highland history, culture and wildlife. The Stables also has a range of high-quality foods, such Lady Claire Macdonald’s own brand of delicious preserves and sauces and our own estate-produced Clan Donald Skye venison.

The Museum shop offers a complementary range of items for those special occasions, including an excellent range of CDs and books. At the Gatehouse, our Garden Shop has a great supply of useful tools, seeds and equipment for those green-fingered enthusiasts, plus a selection of plants specially grown on the Estate by our garden staff.

Gardens

Armadale Castle Gardens is very much a story of the care and attention given by the gardens’ staff to restore them to glory and continue development and planting, creating a haven of scent and colour. The result is 40 acres of fascinating gardens and woodland area for all the family to enjoy.

Magnificent trees, some almost 200 years old, tower above stunning carpets of bluebells, orchids and wildflowers in spring and summer. Sheltered below the giants are the young firs which will eventually replace them, as well as the growing collections of elegant birch and beech trees.

Plants from around the world thrive in this sheltered corner – the vibrant flowers of the ‘Chilean Fire Bush’ (Embothrium), the white stems of the Himalayan Birch which dazzle in winter sunlight, and the cheerful giant daisy flowers of the Celmesias from New Zealand. The mild climate created by the Gulf Stream sea-current and the sheltered aspect make the Gardens a floral paradise.

Self Catering Isle Of Skye

Self Catering At Clan Donald Skye

4 star lodges, appartments & cottgaes offering glorious views across the Sound of Sleat to the hills of Knoydart on the mainland. Escape to the beauty and tranquility of the Isle of Skye, with the Estate at Clan Donald Skye providing a wonderful backdrop for your holiday. The 4 star lodges are equipped to the highest standard to ensure that your stay in Skye is a true home-from-home.

Highland Activities are on site at Clan Donald.

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More recently developed areas such as the ponds, herbaceous borders and terrace walks provide a tranquil place to sit or stroll, with walks through dappled shade and delicate woodland planting linking these sunny havens.