We pick you up from Portree or your Skye accommodation and then start your experience at a tiny jetty in Elgol, a small village on Skye’s rugged southwest coast.

As the boat pulls away, the shoreline is quickly left behind, there are no roads ahead, just open water and the jagged outline of the Black Cuillin, Skye's famous mountain range, rise across the sea, dark and dramatic.

The boat passes rocky shores and small islands, with views stretching towards the Small Isles. On clear days, the light on the water and mountains is extraordinary.

Wildlife is a big part of the experience. Look out for seals lounging on rocks near the shore, seabirds like razorbills, cormorants, and sometimes puffins, and occasional sightings of dolphins, porpoises, or even sea eagles.

The skipper often shares local stories about the landscape, the wildlife, and the beauty of life on Skye.

The drama builds as you near the opposite shores of the sea loch. The mountains close in, steep and black, often streaked with waterfalls or wrapped in cloud. Then the boat slips into a small sheltered cove.

The first sight of the loch is unforgettable. It sits encircled by the towering peaks of the Cuillin, forming a natural amphitheatre of rock.

You will have time ashore to explore and soak up the incredible views. This must be one of the best spots in the world to have a picnic lunch!

On our way to the next location we will stop at Torrin, the presence of Blà Bheinn (Blaven), a black Cuillin, transforms the whole landscape. It sits alone, slightly apart from the main Black Cuillin ridge, which makes it stand out even more. From Torrin, you see it across Loch Slapin, its steep, pyramidal shape reflected in the water.

We stop at Sligachan Old Bridge. At Sligachan you’re right at the heart of Skye’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Sligachan sits at the meeting point of glens, with the jagged skyline of the Black Cuillin rising sharply to the west and the softer Red Cuillin to the east. The old stone bridge is part of the old drovers road crossing the river Sligachan and is a perfect vantage point to see the mountain views.

The walk to the Fairy Pools is one of the most accessible ways to experience the wild beauty of the Black Cuillin. The walk begins at the foot of the Cuillin. A gravel path leads you across open moorland until you meet the River Brittle, which becomes your companion for most of the walk. The path runs alongside and crosses it several times via stepping stones and small bridges. The water is incredibly clear, often tinted blue or green depending on the light and you will soon see a series of crystal-clear pools connected by waterfalls with the Black Cuillin rising steeply behind them.

We return to Portree or your Skye Accommodation.