Breweries and distillery
Talisker Distillery
Tel: 01478 614300â (http://www.taliskerwhisky.com/) on the shores of loch harport in carbost, on the west coast of skye and not in the village of talisker itself talisker is skye's only distillery. producing a hefty, aromatic and distinctly peaty whisky that is similar to those from islay. tours of the distillery are offered at intervals throughout the day by friendly and informative guides. reservations recommended, especially during the summer. tickets â£5 with including a â£3 discount in the shop at the end of the tour.
Cuillin Brewery
Tel: 01478 650204 (http://www.cuillinbrewery...) easily found adjacent to the sligachan hotel & restaurant, at the junction of the a87 broadford - portree road and the a863 to dunvegan. micro-brewery that also offers tours.
Isle of Skye Brewing Company
In uig tel: 01470 542477 (http://www.skyebrewery.co.uk/) brewery tours and a shop open from easter to mid-october. the breweries most popular bottled beers black cuillin a dark porter, red cuillin an amber and hebridean gold a golden ale are available in most pubs throughout the island.
Note that Isle of Skye (http://www.ianmacleod.com...) is a blended whisky produced near Edinburgh, with no extant connection to the island.
Pubs
The Old Inn
Carbost. tel 01478 640205. (http://www.carbost.f9.co.uk/) note the words of caution with regard to the menu above, but this is a friendly and cosy pub that - while busy with tourists during the summer - is a charming local during the winter with a stunning view along loch harport from the patio.
Basement Bar
Beneath the dunvegan hotel, dunvegan. tel: 01470 521497 (http://www.hoteldunvegan....) a spacious pub with several pool tables and views across the water to macleod's tables, usually quite spectacular at sunset. note also the more refined surroundings of the lounge bar in the hotel upstairs.
Pier Hotel
Portree harbour 01478 612094â. a haven from the tourist crowds, the tiny bar of the pier hotel is predominantly frequented by locals. visitors should expect to be part of the conversation the moment they enter the bar.