Uig, United Kingdom

Skye's chief ferry port for the Western Isles is UIG (Uige), which curves its way round a dramatic, horseshoe-shaped bay. Most folk are just passing through Uig, but if you need to stay near the ferry terminal, Orasay, 14 Idrigill (Tel:01470/542316, Web: www.holiday-skye.co.uk ; Price: 41-50), is an inexpensive B&B, a minute's walk from the pier, while Braigh-uige (Tel:01470/542228, Web: www.uig-skye.co.uk ; April– Oct; Price: 41-50), is on the other side of the bay near the church. There's also the attractive Kilmuir House (Tel:01470/542262, Web: www.kilmuir-skye.co.uk ; Price: 41-50), an old manse, a couple of miles up the road to Kilmuir. Uig's campsite, on a sloping field very close to the pier (Tel:01470/542714, Web: www.uig-camping-skye.co.uk ), is open all year and also offers bike rental. By contrast, the SYHA hostel (Tel:0870/004 1155; April– Oct; dorm beds £14) is a fifteen-minute walk away, high up on the south side of the village, with exhilarating views over the bay. The Pub at the Pier offers basic pub food, and serves beers from the nearby brewery (Mon– Fri tours by appointment; Tel:01470/542477, Web: www.skyebrewery.co.uk ).