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Armadale is a Village on the southeast of
the Isle of Skye, 21 miles south of the
Skye
Bridge, 42 miles south of Portree, largest
town on Skye. The Village is popular for a
number of unique Shops around the Pier,
Armadale Castle with the Museum of
the Isles, and the Ferries from Mallaig on the
Scottish Mainland, as many people visiting Skye
want to do so by boat. Postcode: IV45 8RS
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Skye Attractions
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Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The top images are of the Skyelark Gift & Craft Shop
at the entrance to the Pier. The shop has a
number of amazing Canvas Prints of Skye.
The third image is of Under the Rowan
arts & crafts shop looking over the
Pier.
The fourth image is of Ragamuffin
knitwear & clothes also with views over the
pier.
The Shed Cafe and Ferry Booking Office are
at the Pier with views across to mainland
Scotland.
Isle of Skye
Leather Co is at the end of the Pier, with
this image showing the larger of the two
ferries, Lord of the Isles, that run between
Armadale and Mallaig, about a 6 mile crossing,
taking around 30 minutes.
Skye Leather specialize in handmade bags,
belts, sporrans and more for tourists and
online orders around the world.
The smaller Ferry named Loch Fyne also
operates on the Armadale to Mallaig route with
the two ferries being busy most of the summer.
Ferry
Website.
Armadale is a very small Village with the
main attractions being Patricia Shone
Ceramics, Cafe /Diner at
the entrance to Armadale Castle, Museum of the
Isles at Armadale Castle, and Torabhaig Distillery 4 miles
north.
Armadale History
300s - Skye was controlled by Picts, people
that used body paint and tattoos, known to be
fierce warriors, living by farming, fishing,
and metalworking.
800s - Vikings were in control of Skye,
including the south area named Sleat, where
Armadale is situated.
1300s - Dunscaith Castle was built for Clan
MacAskill, descendants of Vikings, 9 miles
northwest of Armadale.
1300s - Knock Castle was built for Clan
MacLeod, descendants of Vikings, 4 miles north
of Armadale.
1400s - Clan Donald, descendants of Vikings,
arrive on the Isle of Skye, soon taking control
of Dunscaith and Knock Castles through battles
with the MacAskill's and MacLeod's.
1650s - Clan Donald Chiefs began living on a
large estate at Armadale in a Mansion, under
one mile north of Armadale Pier, with their
Castles falling into ruin.
1746 - Flora MacDonald, stepdaughter of Hugh
MacDonald of Armadale, factor of Armadale
Estate, helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape by
boat to Skye after the Jacobite defeat at the
Battle of Culloden by Inverness.
Charlie then made his way to safety in
France.
1850 - Armadale Castle was built next to the
Mansion, this being a large Mansion built to
look like a Castle.
1884 - the Skye Boat Song
is published with the section - Speed bonny
boat like a bird on a wing, Onward the sailors
cry. Carry the lad that is born to be King,
Over the sea to Skye. Many people visiting the
area want to travel to Skye by boat, as in the
song.
1901 - the Train Station opened in Mallaig with the
trip up from Fort William described as one of the
top Rail Journeys in Scotland, over the largest
Viaduct in Scotland at Glenfinnan.
A number of Steamers then began operating
out of Mallaig, providing mail and ferry
services throughout the Western Isles for
locals and tourists. The main route out of
Mallaig is to Armadale on Skye.
1925 - Armadale Castle was abandoned by the
MacDonald's after it fell into disrepair.
1932 - the first Car Ferry began running
between Mallaig and Armadale that could carry 2
cars, named Road to the
Isles.
1971 - Armadale Castle and 20,000 acre
estate were acquired by the Clan Donald Lands
Trust to serve as a tourist attraction.
1975 - the first Roll On Roll Off ferry
began running between Mallaig and Armadale
named MV Bute, 569
tons, 186ft long, capable of carrying 35 cars
and 650 passengers.
1995 - the Skye Bridge was completed 21
miles north of Armadale. The Ferries from
Armadale have since remained busy, as many
people still prefer to travel to Skye by
boat.
Fort William to Portree on Sky by the Bridge
is about 108 miles. Fort William to Portree
using the Mallaig to Armadale Ferry is about 90
miles.
1998 - the Ferry named MV Lord of the
Isles began running on the Mallaig to
Armadale route at 3,500 tons, 85m / 279ft, can
carry 56 cars and 505 passengers.
Calmac tend to run a number of Ferries on
this route, whatever ones are available.
2002 - The New Museum of the Isles was
completed on the grounds of Armadale
Castle.
2017 - Torabhaig Distillery opened 4
miles north of Armadale, next to the main road
leading north.
2026 - Armadale Castle and Estate were sold
to the Hutcheson family for around £10
million, with the Castle still used as a
Tourist Attraction.
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