Dunscaith Castle.

Start. Tokavaig Bay.

Route. Tokavaig Bay - Cattle Grid - Tokavaig - Dunscaith Castle - Tokavaig - Cattle Grid - Tokavaig Bay.

Notes. Dunscaith gets its name from Sgathae, a legendary Queen in the days of Fingal. The ruins lie on the west coast of Sleat, the most southern peninsula on the Isle of Skye. The castle is easily reached by foot from Tokavaig Bay by a track along the shore.

The fortress was either constructed or rebuilt by King William, the Lion, around 1181, unfortunately little of the castle now remains, except parts of the curtain wall of the enclosure, the arches of the drawbridge, and the entrance stairway. But we weren't here for the castle, the views of the Cuillin are nothing less than sensational, they say the best views of the Cuillin are from Sligachan and Elgol, they obviously haven’t been to Tokavaig Bay.

After parking on the grass at Tokavaig Bay we wandered along the road towards Ord, after crossing a cattle grid we turned sharp left, a sign announced this was the way to the castle. Passed a prominent rock outcrop we wandered before passing to the left of a couple of whitewashed croft houses, the path then climbed a low rise to access the castle.

After a short wander around we sat soaking up stunning views over Lochs Eishort and Slapin to the mighty Cullin and Bla Bheinn, all to soon it was time to re-trace our steps, which wasn't so easy without looking back every few paces.

view route map.

home.

Stepping out of the car into jaw-dropping views.

Looking towards Tokavaig Bay to the low hill of Torr Ghabhagabhaig.

Torr Ghabhsgabhaig as seen from Tokavaig.

Rising from a field of stone, perched on what would have once been a sea stack, Dunscaith Castle.

Stunning views across Loch Slapin to the high tops of the Black Cuillin.

Age old mountains seen from a wonderful view point near Dunscaith Castle.

Dunscaith Castle seen from the north.

Just off shore Eilean Ruairidh.

A magnificent mountain backdrop, Sgurr nan Eag rises above the scattered community of Kirkibost.

Bla Bheinn and the biwildering beauty of the Skye Cuillin.

A slice of the picturesque, rock architecture at its very best.

A holiday snap, Sue with a great sweep of jagged peaks and the waters of Loch Slapin as a backdrop.

To the west side of Loch Slapin are the Red Cuillin, Beinn Na Cro and Beinn na Caillch.

Across the skyline Sgurr na h-lolair.

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