Welcome to Portree, Isle of Skye, my home for the next two months

With a complete Bachelor’s Degree and a new-found sense of freedom, I headed to the Isle of Skye in Scotland on January 4th. Several weeks of living and working on the island was going to be my new reality.

The Isle of Skye is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Scotland, and it’s no wonder why. The island is rich in breathtaking nature and intriguing history from high mountains, volcanic rock formations, dramatic coastlines, lochs and waterfalls to ancient castles and charming fishing villages. Apart from the castles, Skye reminds me very much of my beloved Faroe Islands, a destination that is also on the rise. Due to Skye’s popularity, I was very happy to be going in the lowest of the low season!

I had flown to Inverness the day before and then took a bus the next morning to Skye. I stared continuously out of the window as we cruised through the Highlands, past Loch Ness and the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Three hours later, I arrived in Portree, the largest town on Skye and my new temporary home.

I was met by a very familiar face – my younger brother Brandon. He was the main reason I’d come to Skye in the first place. He had been living in Scotland for almost a year when I arrived, first in Edinburgh for seven months and since on Skye, working at a pub in Portree. I had emailed the pub a few months prior to my arrival to ask for a job, which they gave me, but it fell through a few weeks before my planned arrival. I only had time to be on Skye from January to March, the low season, so there wasn’t much chance of finding another job. But thankfully, after emailing all other pubs and hotels in Portree, I was offered a job as a waitress/bartender at the Isles Inn – and Brandon got the very same job on the day I arrived, having quit the other one a few days prior.

So when I arrived, we headed straight to the Isles Inn, where I met the manager, collected the keys for my room and was told to start work the next day! I was given a room at the actual hotel – a lovely, spacious and clean room with an enormous bed and a private bathroom. I’ve been living there ever since, and I really like it. The only thing I miss is having a kitchen so I can cook my own food – but I really can’t grumble as the accommodation is free and we also get free food at work! So far, I’ve really enjoyed working at the Isles Inn, I love all of my colleagues, and I’m always excited about going to work! It’s also wonderful to be able to work alongside my brother!

I’ve been in Portree for just over two weeks now, and I’ve gotten to know the town quite well. It’s a tiny town, home to just over 2,300 people, so it’s easily seen in half a day. Most tourists that come to Skye only visit Portree for a meal or to stay overnight, but Portree is worth spending some time on. The colourful harbour, fringed by high cliffs, is a beautiful sight, and the view from the Apothecary’s Tower is not to be missed. I also love walking along the black sand beach, from where a tiny island called Black Rock can be reached at low tide.

The surrounding countryside of Portree offers many wonderful hikes, three of which I’ve already enjoyed. Brandon and I have also been on adventures outside of Portree already as we’ve had a few days off, and I’m sure we’ll have many more adventures during the next months on Skye. I’m excited to share those adventures here on the blog – so stay tuned.