Email Ashaig Campsite enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
Other places to stay in and around
Broadford
Ashaig
campsite on the Isle of Skye, is conveniently placed between Kyle of Lochalsh,
and Broadford about 4 miles from the Skye bridge and so provides the ideal
base when starting or finishing a tour of the island.
There are also many exceptional places to visit from here, so it can be a perfect base for a longer stay.
Apart from a lovely, safe, sandy beach five minutes walk away, there are beautiful views of the Cuillin, the mainland and various islands to the North. Applecross can be seen directly across the water.
The site is on a working croft, although stock are not present on the
croft during the summer season.
The campsite provides electric hook-ups and hard standings for camper
vans and caravans.
There is a drive over service point for grey water and a chemical toilet disposal point. There is a new shower and toilet block with a toilet and washbasin, a wet room (shower, toilet, and washbasin), and a washbasin.
For campers with tents, there is a large area of land to choose from, either with shelter or on open ground. The site is large enough that it is always possible to find a spot away from everyone else if that is what you prefer.
We definitely don't try and pack you together in row after row. Likewise, we try to keep the "Do Not" signs to a minimum, and just ask that you show consideration for other campers, who may have young children, or just want some peace and a good night's sleep.
We aim to provide a relaxing, peaceful spot, and therefore this is not a suitable site if you wish to 'party'. Anyone causing annoyance to other campers will be asked to leave immediately. Otherwise please make yourselves at home.
You are welcome to light fires if you wish, and we provide several spots where you may do this. There is usually a plentiful supply of wood.
Dogs are welcome if kept under control and there is an area where they may be walked.
How to Find Ashaig Campsite:
The campsite is situated in South Skye, 4 miles west of the Skye Bridge,
and 17 miles north of the ferry port of Armadale, from which there are
regular sailings from the mainland at Mallaig. See timetables for the
Mallaig - Armadale ferry crossing. The campsite is 29 miles from Portree
and 3 miles from Broadford.
The co-ordinates for your Satnav are:
· Latitude: 57.246324
· Longitude: -5.830696 (please note the negative sign!)
Information on the area:
Ashaig lies between two villages, Breakish, which has a small but thriving
population, and the village of Lusa which is now uninhabited, and most
remains of which can only be seen from close exploration. There is a restaurant
and farm shop in Breakish, about 15 minutes walk along a pavement from
the campsite.
Ashaig itself has a sandy beach which is quite substantial at low tide. Take care not to get stranded when the tide comes in, although the tide is fairly slow and gradual, and the water fairly shallow.
When the tide is very low, it is quite easy to wade over the river estuary
to the other side of the beach area, from which one can easily get to
a large coral beach.
If you do get cut off by the incoming tide at the Coral Beach, it is usually
possible to pick your way west along the peninsula until you reach the
Breakish - Broadford track.
It is also possible, when the tide is not too far in, to pick one's way along the shoreline inland to the east, from where otters can sometimes be seen, and there is a small track which is usually accessible at all times to the west which reaches the mouth of the River Lusa. Along here seals can sometimes be seen.
There are often cattle grazing beside the small single track road down to the beach - they are mostly fairly passive and used to people, but take care, and avoid walking between a cow and her calves.
The area has historic connections with Saint Maelrubha (circa 642-722 AD) who preached from a rock near the beach, known as Pulpit Rock. There is also a well associated with him there. He had a monastery on the mainland near Applecross, to and from which he probably travelled by boat across the water from Ashaig (which means "ferry" in Gaidhlig.
The Applecross Hills and the Torridon mountains to the east serve as
a backdrop to the beach, and the Red Cuillins to the west.
There is a marked walk to Broadford, which follows the single track roads
through Breakish, then turning into a walking track which comes out in
Waterloo. From here follow the single track road through Waterloo until
one reaches the junction with the main road, and a pavement takes one
the rest of the way into Broadford. The walk affords lovely sea views
on a clear day.
The campsite itself is bounded to the east by the pretty River Ashaig,
which rises from a small hidden loch a few hundred metres south of the
campsite.
Kyle of Lochalsh:
Kyle of Lochalsh is a small town which lies on the mainland side of the
Skye Bridge, and was formerly the main ferry crossing for Skye. The old
slipway can still be seen. It is about 6 miles from the campsite. The
bridge itself is home to the Eilean Ban Trust
Kyle of Lochalsh has several restaurants, take-aways, pubs, and a number
of shops, including the Co-op supermarket and a petrol station and three
garages. There is also an indoor swimming pool and gymnasium, health centre,
a library, post office and two banks.
Attractions include:
· Glass Bottom Boat Trips
· Railway Museum Kyle
· The famous Kyle Line brings trains into Kyle of Lochalsh from
Inverness - usually around 4 trains a day and 1 on a Sunday, and often
includes famous steam excursions.
· The Lochalsh Hotel
· The Kyle Hotel
· Skye Bridge Webcam
· Lochalsh Website
· Kyle Taxis
Broadford:
Broadford lies about 3 miles west of the campsite, and is the main town
in the southern part of Skye. It has several restaurants, take-aways,
pubs, and a number of shops, including the Co-op supermarket with a filling
station, a library, a computer shop with internet access, a secondhand
bookshop, a post office and bank. There is also a health centre and a
hospital.
Broadford is actually several villages which have grown together over
the years, namely Harrapool, Waterloo, Lime Park, Black Park, as well
as the original Broadford.
Email Ashaig Campsite enquiries & reservations: bookscotland@madbookings.com
