Beyond are magnificent views across the Sound of Sleat to the deep lochs and high mountains of the mainland. In the 19th century it was a busy herring port, full of sailing boats. In the 1960s, Gavin Maxwell, famous for his books about otters, lived here. Today you can visit the otter reserve at Kylerhea where a small ferry sails over to Glenelg on the mainland. There are many local amenities at Kyleakin, where the Skye Bridge crosses over to Kyle of Lochalsh.
Boat trips are available during the summer.
The ruins of Castle Maol still stand guard over the straits between the island and the mainland. This is just a glimpse of what is on offer in southern Skye, but there is much more to see north of Broadford including the capital Portree, museums and heritage centres, castles such as Dunvegan and Duntulm, plus spectacular cliffs, the Cuillin mountains and views of the Outer Hebrides. Things to see and do Luxury Guided Tours to the Isle of Skye - ideal for visiting the island just for the day. Depart on the 10.35am ferry from Mallaig and return there on the 5.30pm ferry.