Portree, Scotland

Portree, on the Isle of Skye, is the main town on the island, lying at the mouth of the delightful Portree Loch, with a pleasant harbour and a pier for the local boats. Portree Bay, sheltering the fishing fleet, looks towards Ben Tianavaig, 1,352 ft., and also over the Sound of Raasay to Raasay Island. A room in the present “Royal” Hotel is pointed out as that in which Prince Charles Edward said farewell to Flora Macdonald in 1746. The name Portree means “King’s Haven” and commemorates a visit paid by James V. The old name of the town was Killaragleann.

Off the road leading northwards towards the prominent Storr, a landmark for many miles and the highest point in the long, elevated Trotternish ridge, lie the Storr Lochs, which have been harnessed to a hydro-electric scheme, inaugurated in 1952. A hill road leads north-westwards from Portree to Bracadale, on Loch Beag, an inlet of Loch Harport. The island of Raasay, some 15 miles long, at which the Portree ferries call, is hilly for the most part, and contains Raasay House, where Dr. Johnson and
Boswell were entertained in 1773. On the flat-topped Dun
Caan, 1,456 ft., Boswell performed a solo dance. On the
north-east coast of the island is the ruined Macleod Castle of Brochel, beyond which lies the small island of Rona, with its lighthouse.

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