Armadale (Skye)

Armadale (Gaelic: Armadal) is the ferry port and main village of Sleat peninsula, the gently rolling southern part of the Isle of Skye. To the south it merges with Ardvasar (Gaelic: Àird a’ Bhàsair), and a lane continues to dead-end at Aird of Sleat. The main road A851 follows the coast north, with a straggle of accommodation and amenities, notably at Saasaig and Isleornsay. Points north of there are described under Broadford.

Get in
is the landing point for Calmac ferries from Mallaig on the Scottish mainland. They take 45 min and sail daily, Apr-Oct every hour or two 8AM-6PM but only 2 or 3 per day Nov-March. Until end of March 2025 return fares are £23.30 per car, £7 per adult including driver, and £3.50 per child aged 5-15. This was the usual route to Skye before the bridge opened, and it's still a good route if you want to take the Road to the Isles via Glenfinnan. But don't come this way on a whim or because Satnav has misdirected you to Mallaig instead of the bridge - you could face a long wait for a ferry space if you haven't booked.

Stagecoach Bus 52 runs 3 or 4 times daily from Armadale pier (connecting with the ferries) to Broadford, Sligachan and Portree. In Broadford it connects M-F with Bus 50 to Kyleakin and Kyle of Lochalsh bus and railway stations.

By car you follow A851 the same road as the bus, joining A87 the main cross-island road at Broadford.

Get around
It's a short walk between the pier, the two villages and Armadale Castle, but you need wheels to get elsewhere around Sleat.

Car rental is available from Drive Skye.

See

 * Views from the village and pier towards the mainland are attractive.
 * is ten miles north of Armadale, take the lane west to Tokavaig then hike. It's a fragmentary medieval ruin on an outcrop of rock on the wild west coast of the Sleat Peninsula. A drawbridge once connected the outcrop to the mainland; you can still scramble across or climb from the beach, but both ways are hazardous, only nettles await you, and the views are just as good from shore.
 * is reached by driving south to the end of the public road at Aird of Sleat, then it's a clear (though occasionally rough or boggy) 3-mile trail to the Point, crossing the beach at Camas Daraich. The lighthouse is just a small metal gantry, you come for the views towards the Small Isles (which are inhabited, and reached by ferry from Mallaig).
 * is reached by driving south to the end of the public road at Aird of Sleat, then it's a clear (though occasionally rough or boggy) 3-mile trail to the Point, crossing the beach at Camas Daraich. The lighthouse is just a small metal gantry, you come for the views towards the Small Isles (which are inhabited, and reached by ferry from Mallaig).

Do

 * Wildlife: always be looking out for it, including on the ferry.
 * South Skye Sea Kayak organise tours and tuition. They're at Kilmore 4 miles north of Armadale.
 * Gaelic culture: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig a mile north of the castle teaches degree-level courses solely in Gaelic. They have residential shorter courses for learners, but it's not the place for beginners. However look out for music and other cultural events that even a Sassenach can nod along with.

Buy

 * Armadale Stores and Post Office is open M-F 8AM-5:30PM, Sa 8AM-3:30PM.
 * Craft shops and galleries near the pier are Nigel Grounds, Under the Rowan, Maggie Zefara, Ragamuffin Store, Skyelark / Grumpy George, Julia Christie, Scouting for Buoys and Patricia Shone Ceramics. Aird Old Church Gallery is at Aird, at the end of the public road south.

Eat

 * Stables cafe at the entrance to Armadale Castle is open daily 10AM-4PM.
 * Stables cafe at the entrance to Armadale Castle is open daily 10AM-4PM.

Drink

 * The Inn is the only public bar in Armadale. Gasta by the castle entrance has closed.
 * Torabhaig make whisky four miles north of Armadale. Tours available May-Oct, adult £15. Shop hours are M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-3PM.
 * Gaelic Whisky at Isleornsay sells niche blended whisky and gin. They blether on about Skye tradition but are coy about where the stuff's made.

Sleep

 * Armadale Castle (above) has self-catering lodges and suites.
 * B&Bs cluster south of the ferry pier, and include Knoydart, Homeleigh, Bracken Brae andMorar, and Vinahus up the hill. There's nothing further south down the dead-end lane to Aird of Sleat.
 * B&Bs cluster south of the ferry pier, and include Knoydart, Homeleigh, Bracken Brae andMorar, and Vinahus up the hill. There's nothing further south down the dead-end lane to Aird of Sleat.
 * Saasaig village has self-catering cottages.
 * South Skye Motorhome Park has five hard-standing pitches but no camping area. It's south edge of Isleornsay and open all year.
 * Off the Hill is a B&B at Duisdale Beag, by the turn-off for Hotel Eilean Iarmain.
 * Skye Yurts are 100 yards south of Duisdale House.
 * See Broadford for Kinloch Lodge just across the bay.
 * Skye Yurts are 100 yards south of Duisdale House.
 * See Broadford for Kinloch Lodge just across the bay.
 * See Broadford for Kinloch Lodge just across the bay.

Connect
As of June 2024, Armadale and A851 towards Broadford have 4G from O2 and Vodafone but a very poor signal from EE or Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * The road north leads you to Broadford. From there you could return to the mainland on A87 via Kyleakin, the Skye Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh, or continue north to the most scenic part of Skye beyond Portree.
 * Or take the ferry to Mallaig on the mainland to reach the Small Isles, Glenfinnan and the Ardnamurchan peninsula.