Excursion Armadale castle & gardens tour at Portree

Take a trip to the gracious Hamlet of Armadale located on the Sleat peninsula at the southern end of the Isle of Skye, often called the Garden of Skye. This excursion is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of the island, the clans, and to visit the beautiful gardens of the Armadale Castle ruins.

After a beautiful scenic 75-minute drive past the Cuillin Mountain range, arrive at Armadale Castle & Gardens and the Museum of the Isles, the ancestral home of the MacDonalds. Learn about the powerful reign of the Clan Donald as the Lords of the Isles; a title held until the forfeiture in 1493.

Gradually, the extensive lands owned by the various branches of the Clan, which stretched from Ulster to Skye, were sold, until the last remaining lands here in Skye were taken into trust in 1971. Clan Donald remains the largest clan in Scotland.

This is a self-guided tour; take time to explore the lovely historic gardens and woodland trails around the romantic ruins of Armadale Castle. You may choose to trace the history of the Clan Donald in the Museum of the Isles and visit the Library and Study Centre if you wish to learn more about your own ancestry (staff here will help you in your search). Your time here is your own to spend as you wish, with your guide on hand to answer any questions.

Return back to Portree via the same scenic route.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Armadale Castle & Gardens, Museum of the Isles, Hamlet of Armadale

Note

Please note: While walking on this tour is mostly at each guest's discretion, there are uneven surfaces throughout the castle and gardens, including stairs to navigate, making this tour less suitable for guests with walking difficulties. Guests must be able to board the coach unaided. The tour operator requests that guests in a wheelchair are accompanied by a travel companion as guides cannot take responsibility for them during the tour. Warm, comfortable clothing and flat shoes are recommended.