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Fish farming near Portree.
The extensive group of the Hebrides are divided into two groups -- the Outer and Inner Hebrides. Lying off the coast of Western Scotland in the Northern Highlands, these islands are among the most beautiful in the world. The Isle of Skye, one of the larger Inner Hebrides, is best known as the place where Charles Edward Stuart, known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” escaped from during the Jacobite Uprising.
From the eccentric scenery unfolding endlessly across the Trotternish peninsula to the charming painted prettiness of Portree, North East Skye has drama and grace in equal measure. If you follow one of the many trails, you’ll have this beautiful view over the coastline. There are some fish farms in the water several places along the coast. The coastline is immensely varied with sheer cliffs in many parts containing teeming seabird colonies and providing spectacular waterfalls.
Portree is the main town on Skye. Its name comes from the Gaelic Port-an-Righ, which translates as "King's Port" and dates to a visit by King James V, plus a fleet of warships, in 1540, to persuade the island clans to support him. It had earlier been known as Kiltraglen.
When you visit the Isle of Skye you will find historic castles. Dunvagan castle is probably the most famous there. It has been the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years and it remains their home. Built on a Rock once surrounded entirely by salt water, it is unique in Scotland as the only house of such antiquity to have retained its family and its roof throughout the centuries, surviving the extremes of feast and famine, the intermittent periods of warring with neighbouring clans, and the immense changes of social, political and economic life through which the Western Highlands and Islands have passed.
A whiskey distillery is also found on the island. Talisker is situated on the shores of Loch Harport, within sight of the jagged Cuillin mountains. Using water from a burn whose source is in the Cnoc nan Speirag (Hawk Hill), the whisky is bottled for the enjoyment of those who seek Talisker sunique 'marine' character.
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