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Elgol

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Overview

Elgol (Gaelic: Ealaghol) is a tiny village on the south coast of Skye in the Scottish Hebrides, with a population of 168 in 2011. The main attraction is the view of the mountains, especially from nearby Loch Coruisk.

Eal

Facts

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

Media

From Wikipedia328 words

WBP editorial3

Navigating the Tides of Arrival

Most visitors reach Elgol via the single-track road that winds down from the A87, a journey that frames the descent with loch-side glens and occasional stags grazing on heather. The timing of the ferry from Mallaig is crucial; winter timetables are sparse, and the crossing can be delayed by swells that make the short trip across Loch Scavaig feel longer. For those willing to plan ahead, hiring a local boat for a private round-trip offers flexibility and a chance to slip past the occasional fishing vessels. Parking is limited to a small lay‑by beside the pier, so early arrival or a pre‑booked spot at the village hall’s car park avoids the inevitable queuing in the summer months.

Beyond the Views: Community Life

Elgol’s modest population sustains a handful of enterprises that reflect a self‑reliant ethos: a family‑run café serving locally sourced oatcakes, a seasonal craft shop where knitters sell hand‑dyed yarns, and a community hall that doubles as a venue for ceilidhs in winter. Engaging with locals over a cup of tea reveals stories of crofting families who have farmed the peninsula for generations, and tips about the low‑key walking routes that bypass the more trodden paths to the Cuillin ridge. Respect for the village’s rhythm—quiet evenings and limited commercial noise—enhances the sense of stepping into a living Scottish tapestry rather than a tourist set‑piece.

Seasonal Light and Landscape

The positioning of Elgol on the western flank of Skye grants it a distinctive light that shifts dramatically with the seasons. In late spring, the long golden hours illuminate the basalt cliffs, casting deep shadows that accentuate the rugged coastline. Autumn brings a cooler, silvery tone, and the occasional aurora borealis flickers above the loch, a spectacle rarely captured in guidebooks. Photographers and nature writers alike note that the best times to experience this atmospheric change are early mornings when mist rolls off the water, softening the view of the distant peaks and offering a contemplative backdrop for sketches or journal entries.

Introduction

Human settlement in ScotlandElgolScottish Gaelic: EalagholThe village hall in ElgolElgolLocation within the Isle of SkyeArea101 km2 (39 sq mi)Population168 (2011)• Density2/km2 (5.2/sq mi)OS grid referenceNG521142Council areaHighlandLieutenancy areaRoss and CromartyCountryScotlandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townISLE OF SKYEPostcode districtIV49Dialling code01471PoliceScotlandFireScottishAmbulanceScottish UK ParliamentInverness, Skye and West Ross-shireScottish ParliamentRoss, Skye and Inverness West List of places UK Scotland 57°09′07″N 6°05′53″W / 57.152°N 6.098°W / 57.152; -6.098 Elgol (Scottish Gaelic: Ealaghol) is a village on the shores of Loch Scavaig towards the end of the Strathaird peninsula in the Isle of Skye, in the Scottish Highlands.

History

[edit] The Strathaird peninsula was historically a heartland of the MacKinnons, a robustly Jacobite clan. On 4 July 1746, the Young Pretender found sanctuary at Elgol in the course of his wanderings under the protection of MacKinnon of MacKinnon and Captain John MacKinnon of Elgol. The cave where he is said to have waited for a boat to the mainland ("Prince Charlie’s cave", or "Uamh Phrionnsa") can still be visited today, a short walk to the south of the village.

Present day

[edit] The village had a considerably higher population prior to the Clearances. It now has a population of approximately 150. Elgol's scenic attractions have drawn in many outsiders seeking holiday homes and a majority of the properties there are no longer occupied on a year-round basis. In the 2011 census, 31% of the residents were reported as speaking Scottish Gaelic. The village is also a terminal for two privately owned boat trips to Loch Coruisk and the Small Isles along with a coffee shop, Bistro and Coruisk House Michelin Guide restaurant. In 1972 the bulk carrier Nermo Smernokoff lost its full cargo of various cheeses which eventually washed up in Elgol Bay.