Sorley MacLean

Explorer Tom Raasay sits across the water from Skye with views grand enough to make Tom forget his opening line. Look west to the Cuillin, then turn north towards quieter roads, wooded stretches and the rugged island interior. A short ferry crossing brings you here, but Raasay rewards anyone who stays longer than the timetable's quickest return. The island has a story about determination that deserves more than a passing mention. Calum MacLeod, living at Arnish in the north, spent years building nearly two miles of road by hand after requests for a proper link had failed. The route from Brochel towards his home became Calum's Road, later adopted and surfaced by the council. It is narrow and winding even now; travel it thoughtfully, with respect for residents and passing places. Nearby Brochel Castle clings to its rock, while the island also remembers Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean, whose writing drew on Raasay's people and history. Tom's own tales are easier to invent; Calum actually moved the ground. Elsewhere you can walk from Inverarish, seek the high view from Dùn Caan or simply watch the light change over the Sound of Raasay. The ferry from Sconser on Skye takes about twenty-five minutes and runs through the year, but check its current sailings and conditions. A small island asks for a little planning, particularly if you need the last boat back. Raasay is not Skye's spare room. It is a community and landscape with its own voice. Listen for it beyond the ferry pier, and give the road builder a nod when you head north.