Sleat

A cultural stronghold past and present

All roads on the Sleat peninsula either lead to or from Armadale, where the ferry sails to Mallaig on the mainland. Coming from the north past picturesque Isle Ornsay, a circular diversion west to Ord and Tarskavaig rewards visitors with some of the finest views in Scotland, before returning to join the main route south near Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, which as a creative learning space for Gaelic students, and home to Gaelic writers, artists and musicians, plays a critical cultural role for all of Scotland.

Beyond Sabhal Mòr, the ruins of Armadale Castle, once the stronghold of Clan Macdonald provide an insight into Sleat’s enduring cultural significance. The Castle’s gardens are exotic, but the Museum of the Isles tells an equally colourful story from the era of The Lords of Isles through the long history of the Highland Clearances. Elsewhere, in and around Armadale and beyond, you will find a fine range of galleries, restaurants and craft shops to explore, outdoor activities from sailing and kayaking to enjoy, and cultural or wildlife tours to embrace. In fact, this green and pleasant peninsula offers up more than you might expect to anyone who takes the time to go slow in Sleat.