9 Amazing Things To Do on the Duirinish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Scotland

There are some awesome things to do on the Duirinish Peninsula of the Isle of Skye.

And its neighbor, the Waternish Peninsula, also has some fabulous sites.

I find this piece of Skye is a little less visited than other parts of this popular Scottish Island.

But these 2 peninsulas are stunning and deserve some time.

While most of my time was with Duirinish, I did spend a little bit of time on Waternish.

Now, this is not an area that is completely off the tourist track as there are some rock star sites.

However, it is a wee bit quieter in general — especially if you stay a few nights which is what I recommend.

As usual, we’ll start with the where.

Where are these 2 peninsulas?

So, find the Isle of Skye in the northwest of Scotland.

Yes, it is an island — barely.

Look to the upper left and find Dunvegan.

The piece of land to the far left is Duirinish and the one to the right — with a short piece and a much longer piece — is Waternish.

It takes a bit of effort to get out this far onto Skye from a town like Broadford or even the main town of Portree which is to the east side of the island and along the main road, the A87.

So Duirinish and Waternish are a bit more remote in some ways.

You will want a car for visiting this part of the Isle of Skye so you can really get into the nooks and crannies.

Okay.

So let’s talk about some of the best things to do on the Duirinish — and Waternish — Peninsulas.

Visit Skye Weavers

Down a wee road near the settlement of Glendale is this husband and wife team, Roger and Andrea, who weave wool and tweed by peddle power.

Yes.

You read that correctly. 

The woolen items such as scarves or blankets and tweed fabric are woven on a loom powered by pedaling a bicycle.

It’s very cool.

They try to use materials from within the UK when possible. 

So they work with spinners in Scotland and Yorkshire (England) and cloth finishers in the Scottish borders and label weavers in Wales.

The pillows on my bed at Carters Rest Guesthouse were made by Skye Weavers.

I highly recommend stopping by to see how they use the pedal power to weave wool.

There is a small shop so you can buy yourself a little something special too.

Walk around Loch Pooltiel and Meanish Pier

When I first arrived at Carters Rest Guesthouse, I was so blown away by the gorgeous location that I just wanted to get out on foot with my camera. 

So I walked the wee road and took in the views — Loch Pooltiel, the cliffs, Meanish Pier, sheep, a house here and there.

It is sublime.

It’s so tranquil here if a bit wild and windy at times.

But I saw locals out walking, tending to gardens — it was life in rural Scotland.

My advice for one of the best things to do on the Duirinish Peninsula is to spend some slow time here. 

Get out and walk.

Take some photos. 

Maybe chat with the locals.

Or the sheep!

You’ll definitely see some sheep.

Getting out on foot is always a fabulous way to slow down and really relish in the place you are.

Tour Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

Leaving Duirinish and heading east takes you to the Waternish Peninsula.

Just across Dunvegan Loch is the town of Dunvegan with its castle and castle gardens.

Admittedly, I didn’t visit.

But I wish I had.

This castle, built in fortress style to keep people out, has been continuously inhabited for 800 years by the Chiefs of clan MacLeod. 

Wow!

That’s a loooonnnngggg time.

A visit to Dunvegan Castle and Gardens is definitely one of the best things to do on the Waternish Peninsula.

Tours of the castle, which looks stunning, cost £14.

Just want to tour the gardens — which also look beautiful?

That will cost £12.

There are also 5 holiday cottages on the grounds that you can rent should you want to stay a few nights in this gorgeous spot.

Yes please.

I’m sorry to have missed this incredible castle with its history and fabulous location.

Next time!

Delve into the legends at Fairy Bridge

As you drive from the town of Dunvegan east along the A820 in the direction of Carbost, you’ll see a lesser road on the left that take you toward Waternish and Lusta.

Take that road.

A very short way down that road is the Fairy Bridge.

In typical Scottish/Celtic style, the name of this bridge is due to folklore.

I love these stories, don’t you?

Anyway…

It goes that a Chief of the MacLeods married a fairy and they lived together on the Isle of Skye.

She was only allowed to be with him for one year then she had to return to her people.

And it is at this bridge that she left him.

The story says that she left their son wrapped in a silken shawl, the Fairy Flag, which could be used 3 times to save or protect the clan.

And this flag was used 2 more times to protect the clan.

The Fairy Bridge has also been a part of history over the centuries as a meeting place for various movements and organizations such as Land Reform in the crofting community.

So if stories and legends interest you then stopping by the Fairy Bridge is one of the best things to do on the Waternish Peninsula.

Stay at Carters Rest Guesthouse

I stayed at Carters Rest Guesthouse which overlooks Loch Pooltiel. 

This is an amazing place to stay on Duirinish and one I highly recommend.

Yes, it’s definitely away from it all.

You won’t have restaurants or pubs close by.

But that’s part of coming to this piece of Skye — to really immerse yourself in the natural beauty and to get away from the more crowded spots.

You’ll still be able to get to all the destinations on this list, plus some others, fairly easily — with a car. 

I think the benefit of staying at Carters Rest is that you get to experience a piece of the Isle of Skye that many others don’t. 

Resting your head at this amazing guesthouse is one of the best things to do on the Duirinish Peninsula.

Final thoughts on Duirinish and Waternish peninsulas (and some other places to visit)

I remember planning my time on the Isle of Skye and not knowing where on the island I wanted to stay.

It was quite confusing.

I only had a few days and wanted to make the most of it.

As I read about this area — Duirinish and Waternish — I knew this was the Skye I wanted to experience.

Then I found Carters Rest Guesthouse and thought, “That’s where I want to stay!”

I truly fell in love with this piece of Skye as it is a bit quieter and less visited than some other parts of the island.

Yes there are hot spots like Neist Point Lighthouse and Dunvegan Castle.

But there are also more tranquil places like walking around Loch Pooltiel.

I highly recommend not only spending time on these 2 peninsulas but actually staying in this area a few nights.

You won’t regret it!

A few other ideas:

Eat at the Three Chimneys restaurant — award winning restaurant

Visit the Colbost Croft Museum — see what life was like living in a croft house

Shop at Skye Silver — for silver jewelry lovers (gorgeous pieces)

See Glendale Land Leaguers Monument — monument to the crofters who stood up for their rights

Walk or hike — there are some trails and there are quiet rural roads, so get out on foot

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places have opened.

Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC. I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home (or close to home) and stay safe!

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