The Cuillin Hills: These are among the most dramatic mountains on these islands.
The rugged peaks of the Black Cuillin are mostly composed of grey/black gabbro (an igneous rock), while the more rounded slopes of the Red Cuillin are granite. Gabbro is one of the finest and most adhesive climbing rocks, with the result that most serious mountain climbers feel compelled to visit Skye at least once.
The Cuillin were first explored by a most unlikely pairing. Norman Collie, an English chemistry professor, famous for pioneering X-ray photography in medicine and inventing the neon lamp, fell in love with the Cuillin on his first visit. For 20 years he returned regularly and climbed with John McKenzie, an island man with little formal education. Despite considerable differences in background and temperament, the men became life-long friends. At Collie's wish they are buried close together at Struan within sight of their beloved Cuillin.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of their most renowned ascent. In 1906 they discovered and climbed the now-famous pinnacle known as the Cíoch (breast), a 1,000-foot high rock in dizzy isolation above Coire Lagan.
Getting there
The quickest way to get to Skye from Ireland is on one of Aer Arann's four times weekly flights from Dublin to Inverness. Hire a car at the airport and you'll be crossing the bridge to Skye at the Kyle of Lochalsh in less than two hours. (Wonderful views by train.)
Alternatively, fly from Dublin to Glasgow with Aer Lingus or Ryanair. Using your flight ticket you can purchase a half-price return train ticket to Mallaig, from where you can ferry over to Skye. The little trains of the West Highland Railway take five hours to reach Mallaig, but this is one of the world's most romantic railway journeys and the stunning highland scenery will keep boredom at bay.
What to do
Skye is all about the outdoors, with walking and climbing being by far the most important activities. Experienced climbers can attempt some of the Cuillin peaks or, in settled weather, make a two-day traverse of the entire ridge, which requires one overnight on the mountaintops. However, the island also abounds with opportunities for sightseeing and low-level walking. Particularly worth the easy trek is the weird landscape of teetering basalt columns at Storr, six miles north of the island capital Portree. Another easy but well-rewarded walk leads from Glenbrittle into a great amphitheatre of peaks at Coire Lagan.
On wet days it is probably best to don waterproofs and head off on a low-level walk hoping that the weather will improve while reminding yourself that much of Skye's watery beauty is a product of its frequent rain. If such fortitude fails, there are several visitor centres and quaint museums scattered across the island.
• Information on accommodation and activities on Skye is available from VisitBritain, Newmount House, 22-24 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2; tel: 01-6708000 or log on to www.visitbritain.com.