A RUGGED island in the UK has been named the most beautiful place to visit in Britain.
As well as being home to some beautiful beaches, there are also medieval castles, amazing wildlife and stunning natural pools for tourists to explore.
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The Isle of Skye came top of Big Seven Travel‘s 50 Most Beautiful Places in the UK and it’s easy to see why.
The island is found on Scotland’s north west coast and is known for its picturesque fishing villages, rugged scenery and amazing wildlife.
Big Seven describe the Isle as “wildly beautiful and quintessentially Scottish”.
They added: “It’s got all the fixings of the rugged Highlands. We’re talking forgotten medieval castles, sleepy fishing villages, and endless otherworldly landscapes that’ll stop you in your tracks.
“In all of Scotland’s glory, the Isle of Skye is easily the most iconic and breath-taking area of the islands, and that’s saying something.”
History buffs visiting the island have several castles to choose from, including Dunvegan, which has been the home of the Clan MacLeod since the 1300s.
Scottish Tours say that the castle, which overlooks Loch Dunvegan, is “surrounded by extensive formal gardens” containing “exotic plants, specimen trees and gushing waterfalls”.
It also has one of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s waistcoats and a fairy flag supposedly brought back to Dunvegan after the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.
The flag is said to be a gift from a fairy and has magical powers to protect the clan.
Duntulum, Armadale, Moil Sky and Dunscaith castles can all also be found on the island, while Eilean Donan castle in neighbouring Loch Duich is close enough to visit too.
Some of the castles are situated in amazing scenic locations, overlooking the lochs and seas of the island, in which a lot of nature can be found.
Dolphins were filmed swimming alongside a Misty Isle boat trip, just a week ago.
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The company shared a video on Tiktok that showed the porpoises leaping playfully from the sea around one of their boats.
However, they’re not the only animals that can be spotted from their vessels.
Minke whales, orca whales and other species also call the water their home, along with seals and otters.
Meanwhile, on land, pine marten and red deer live on the island and can be spotted in the woodlands and fields and in the skies above, puffins, sea eagles and golden eagles can all be seen too.
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Inland is also where some of the best wild swimming spots can be found too, away from the island’s shores.
The fairy pools, on the river Brittle are one of the main drawing points for visitors to the island, including those who brave their chilly waters for a dip among some of Skye’s most breath-taking scenery.
The pools are full of clear blue water and are close to a number of cascading waterfalls at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountain ridge.
Although they are a peaceful place to appreciate nature today, the pools were the site of the last and bloodiest Battle of Coire na Creiche, between the MacLeods of Dunvegan and the MacDonalds of Sleat.
According to Dunvegancastle.com: “The MacDonalds were victorious, but it is said that the battle was so fierce and so many had been killed, that the fairy pools ran red with blood.”
There is no blood to be seen nowadays, and the unspoilt nature draws people from all around.
One visitor described the pools on TripAdvisor as: “A stunning part of the world, unspoilt and stunning, loved the walk, literally couldn’t believe the beauty!”
Another agreed, adding: “More than I expected, the pools are stunning, the backdrop of the Black Cuilins was gorgeous.”
A night in a guesthouse on the island is available from £48.50pp per night, although there are cheaper options.
A bed in a hostel dorm can be booked from £25pp per night, while camping pitches on the island are available from £12 per night.
For those who are a little more intrepid, wild camping is also an option in Scotland, so long as campers follow the guidelines of “respecting the countryside and being safe”.
Getting to the Isle of Skye is easiest by car, however buses link Glasgow and Inverness, the two closest airports, to the island.
A train to Mallaig is available from Glasgow, from where a ferry can take you the rest of the way.
Or Inverness is linked to Kyle by rail and a local bus can take you from there on to the island, which is connected to the mainland via the Skye bridge.
Meanwhile, this seaside town in the UK is also home to dolphins, whales and puffins, as well as amazing castles.
And these are some of the most tranquil staycation spots in the country.
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