| Staffin Beach (picture by Peter Watts) |  |
Staffin Beach
Staffin Beach
Panorama of Staffin Beach on the East coast of the Island of Skye in Scotland. Staffin Beach is famous for the dinosaur footprints that were found there in 2002. These are the largest dinosaur footprints in Scotland.This panoramic photograph was taken from Staffin beach a low tide, showing Staffin Island in the Minch off Staffin Bay. The Minch is the channel between the Inner Hebridies and the Outer Hebrides. There is another panorama taken from the headland above Staffin Beach. This sand beach is ideal for families with a gently sloping shelf into the sea, ideal for paddling. It's typically a very quiet and sheltered spot. This beach is accessible from the main road, marked as an access to the boat slipway. Nearby is a much larger pebble and shingle beach.
Staffin Beach is one of the few sandy beaches on Skye. Another is Breakish Beach at Ashaig, four miles from Kyleakin at the south east end of Skye nearest to the mainland and Skye Bridge crossing to Kyle of Lochalsh.
The road to this beach is approx one mile long and well hidden, so often overlooked as the beach itself is only briefly visible when approaching by road from the northern tip of Skye, as seen in this panorama far across the bay at the foot of the Quiraing before passing through Staffin village. The nearby area has many attractions too and each village has numerous bed and breakfast accommodations, guest houses, hotels and hostels.
The village of Flodigarry has a museum to Flora MacDonald, a local woman who helped the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie escape whilst imprisoned nearby during the Jacobite rising in the late 17th century.
The town of Uig is a short drive around the headland of the Trotternish Peninsula and is the ferry terminal for all traffic to the Outer Hebridean islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and the Western Isles.
Duntulm castle, the ruined settlement which until the late 18th century was once an occupied fortress of significant strategic importance as it lay in neutral land held by both the clans of MacLeod, whose seat is at Dunvegan and clan MacDonald whose lands lie to the south at Armadale in Sleat. Now a protected monument, it offers spectacular views out over the Minch and a great opportunity for observing sea-shore wildlife and bird-spotting.
Travel and Getting There:
Twelve miles north of the capital town of the island, Portree. Pass through Staffin village and as the road passes along the shore of Staffin bay, mid way is a turning for the slipway (small boat quay). This beach is approx one mile along this single track road, with ample parking space.