 = Skye = 
 
 Skye , or the Isle of Skye ( / <unk> / ; Scottish Gaelic : An t @-@ Eilean Sgitheanach or Eilean a ' Cheò ) , is the largest and most northerly major island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland . The island 's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the <unk> , the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country . Although it has been suggested that the Gaelic Sgitheanach describes a winged shape there is no definitive agreement as to the name 's origins . 
 The island has been occupied since the Mesolithic period and its history includes a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald . The 18th @-@ century <unk> <unk> led to the breaking up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances that replaced entire communities with sheep farms , some of which also involved forced <unk> to distant lands . <unk> numbers declined from over 20 @,@ 000 in the early 19th century to just under 9 @,@ 000 by the closing decade of the 20th century . Skye 's population increased by 4 per cent between 1991 and 2001 . About a third of the residents were Gaelic speakers in 2001 , and although their numbers are in decline this aspect of island culture remains important . 
 The main industries are tourism , agriculture , fishing and forestry . Skye is part of the Highland Council local government area . The island 's largest settlement is Portree , known for its picturesque harbour . There are links to various nearby islands by ferry and , since 1995 , to the mainland by a road bridge . The climate is mild , wet and <unk> . The abundant wildlife includes the golden eagle , red deer and Atlantic salmon . The local flora is dominated by <unk> moor , and there are nationally important invertebrate populations on the surrounding sea bed . Skye has provided the locations for various novels and feature films and is celebrated in poetry and song . 
 
 = = Etymology = = 
 
 The first written references to the island are Roman sources such as the <unk> <unk> , which refers to <unk> and <unk> , which can be found on a map by Ptolemy . One possible derivation comes from <unk> , an early Celtic word for winged , which may describe how the island 's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre . Subsequent <unk> , <unk> and English @-@ speaking peoples have influenced the history of Skye ; the relationships between their names for the island are not straightforward . Various etymologies have been proposed , such as the " winged isle " or " the notched isle " but no definitive solution has been found to date and the <unk> may be from an earlier , non @-@ Gaelic language . 
 In the Norse <unk> Skye is called <unk> , for example in the <unk> saga <unk> and a <unk> poem in the <unk> from c . 1230 contains a line that translates as " the hunger battle @-@ birds were filled in Skye with blood of <unk> killed " . The island was also referred to by the Norse as <unk> ( <unk> isle ) , <unk> or <unk> ( isle of cloud ) . The traditional Gaelic name is An t @-@ Eilean Sgitheanach ( the island of Skye ) , An t @-@ Eilean <unk> being a more recent and less common spelling . In 1549 Donald Munro , High Dean of the Isles , wrote of " Sky " : " This Ile is <unk> <unk> <unk> in Irish , that is to say in <unk> the <unk> Ile , be reason it has <unk> <unk> and <unk> <unk> <unk> <unk> it , throw the dividing of <unk> <unk> <unk> . " but the meaning of this Gaelic name is unclear . 
 Eilean a ' Cheò , which means island of the mist ( a translation of the Norse name ) , is a poetic Gaelic name for the island . 
 
 = = Geography = = 
 
 At 1 @,@ 656 square kilometres ( 639 sq mi ) , Skye is the second @-@ largest island in Scotland after Lewis and Harris . The coastline of Skye is a series of peninsulas and bays radiating out from a centre dominated by the Cuillin hills ( Gaelic : An <unk> ) . Malcolm <unk> suggested that its shape " sticks out of the west coast of northern Scotland like a lobster 's claw ready to snap at the fish bone of Harris and Lewis " and W. H. Murray , commenting on its irregular coastline , stated that " Skye is sixty miles [ 100 km ] long , but what might be its breadth is beyond the ingenuity of man to state " . Martin Martin , a native of the island , reported on it at length in a 1703 publication . His geological observations included a note that : 
 There are <unk> black and white , resembling silver ore , near the village <unk> : there are likewise in the same place several stones , which in <unk> , shape , & c . , resemble <unk> , and many <unk> here afford <unk> stones of all colours . The <unk> near Loch @-@ <unk> has <unk> growing in it of different sizes and colours ; some are green on the outside , some are of a pale sky colour , and they all strike fire as well as flint : I have one of them by me , which for shape and <unk> is proper for a sword handle . Stones of a purple colour flow down the <unk> here after great rains . 
 The Black Cuillin , which are mainly composed of basalt and <unk> , include twelve <unk> and provide some of the most dramatic and challenging mountain terrain in Scotland . The ascent of <unk> a ' <unk> is one of the longest rock climbs in Britain and the <unk> <unk> is the only peak in Scotland that requires technical climbing skills to reach the summit . These hills make demands of the hill <unk> that exceed any others found in Scotland and a full traverse of the Cuillin ridge may take 15 – 20 hours . The Red Hills ( Gaelic : Am <unk> <unk> ) to the south are also known as the Red Cuillin . They are mainly composed of granite that has weathered into more rounded hills with many long <unk> slopes on their flanks . The highest point of these hills is <unk> , one of only two <unk> on Skye . 
 The northern peninsula of Trotternish is <unk> by basalt , which provides relatively rich soils and a variety of unusual rock features . The <unk> Rock is named after the <unk> @-@ like patterns in the 105 metres ( 344 ft ) cliffs . The <unk> is a spectacular series of rock pinnacles on the eastern side of the main spine of the peninsula and further south is the rock pillar of the Old Man of <unk> . 
 Beyond Loch <unk> to the west of Trotternish is the Waternish peninsula , which ends in <unk> Point 's double rock arch . Duirinish is separated from Waternish by Loch Dunvegan , which contains the island of <unk> . The <unk> is ringed by sea cliffs that reach 295 metres ( <unk> ft ) at <unk> Head . <unk> <unk> provides good arable land in the main valley . <unk> <unk> and <unk> and the island of <unk> lie between Duirinish and Minginish , which includes the narrower <unk> of <unk> and Glen <unk> and whose beaches are formed from black <unk> sands . Strathaird is a relatively small peninsula close to the Cuillin hills with only a few crofting communities , the island of <unk> lies offshore . The bedrock of Sleat in the south is <unk> sandstone , which produces poor soils and <unk> ground , although its lower elevations and relatively sheltered eastern shores enable a lush growth of <unk> and crops . The islands of Raasay , <unk> , <unk> and <unk> all lie to the north and east between Skye and the mainland . 
 
 = = = Towns and villages = = = 
 
 Portree in the north at the base of Trotternish is the largest settlement ( estimated population 2 @,@ 264 in 2011 ) and is the main service centre on the island . Broadford , the location of the island 's only airstrip , is on the east side of the island and Dunvegan in the north @-@ west is well known for its castle and the nearby Three <unk> restaurant . The 18th @-@ century Stein Inn on the Waternish coast is the oldest pub on Skye . <unk> is linked to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland by the Skye Bridge , which spans the <unk> of Loch <unk> . Uig , the port for ferries to the Outer Hebrides , is on the west of the Trotternish peninsula and <unk> is between Dunvegan and Portree . Much of the rest of the population lives in crofting townships scattered around the coastline . 
 
 = = = Climate = = = 
 
 The influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream create a mild oceanic climate . Temperatures are generally cool , averaging 6 @.@ 5 ° C ( 43 @.@ 7 ° F ) in January and 15 @.@ 4 ° C ( 59 @.@ 7 ° F ) in July at <unk> in Trotternish . Snow seldom lies at sea level and <unk> are less frequent than on the mainland . Winds are a limiting factor for vegetation . South @-@ westerlies are the most common and speeds of 128 km / h ( 80 mph ) have been recorded . High winds are especially likely on the exposed coasts of Trotternish and Waternish . In common with most islands of the west coast of Scotland , rainfall is generally high at 1 @,@ 500 – 2 @,@ 000 mm ( 59 – 79 in ) per annum and the elevated Cuillin are wetter still . Variations can be considerable , with the north tending to be drier than the south . Broadford , for example , averages more than 2 @,@ <unk> mm ( 113 in ) of rain per annum . Trotternish typically has 200 hours of bright sunshine in May , the <unk> month . On 28 December 2015 , the temperature reached 15 ° C , beating the previous December record of 12 @.@ 9 ° C , set in 2013 . On 9 May 2016 , a temperature of 26 @.@ 7 ° C ( 80 @.@ 1 ° F ) was recorded at <unk> in the south @-@ east of the island . 
 
 = = History = = 
 
 
 = = = <unk> = = = 
 
 A Mesolithic hunter @-@ gatherer site dating to the 7th millennium BC at An Corran in <unk> is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Scotland . Its occupation is probably linked to that of the rock shelter at Sand , <unk> , on the mainland coast of <unk> Ross where tools made of a <unk> from An Corran have been found . <unk> of the area between the two shores of the Inner Sound and Sound of Raasay have revealed 33 sites with potentially Mesolithic deposits . Finds of <unk> <unk> on the foreshore at <unk> on the west coast of the island near Dunvegan also suggest Mesolithic occupation . These tools probably originate from the nearby island of Rum . 
 <unk> an <unk> , an uninhabited peninsula to the south of the Cuillin , has a variety of archaeological sites dating from the Neolithic onwards . There is a 2nd or 3rd millennium BC chambered <unk> , an Iron Age promontory fort and the remains of other prehistoric settlement dating from the Bronze Age nearby . Loch na h @-@ <unk> on the peninsula is linked to the sea by an artificial " Viking " canal that may date from the later period of Norse settlement . Dun <unk> is a ruined Iron Age hill fort on the Strathaird peninsula , which was further fortified in the Middle Ages and may have become the seat of Clan <unk> . 
 
 = = = Early history = = = 
 
 The late Iron Age inhabitants of the northern and western Hebrides were probably Pictish , although the historical record is sparse . Three Pictish symbol stones have been found on Skye and a fourth on Raasay . More is known of the kingdom of Dál Riata to the south ; <unk> 's life of Columba , written shortly before 697 , portrays the saint visiting Skye ( where he baptised a pagan leader using an interpreter ) and <unk> himself is thought to have been familiar with the island . The Irish annals record a number of events on Skye in the later 7th and early 8th centuries – mainly concerning the struggles between rival dynasties that formed the background to the Old Irish language romance <unk> <unk> meic <unk> . 
 The Norse held sway throughout the Hebrides from the 9th century until after the Treaty of Perth in <unk> . However , apart from placenames , little remains of their presence on Skye in the written or archaeological record . Apart from the name " Skye " itself , all pre @-@ Norse placenames seem to have been obliterated by the Scandinavian settlers . Viking heritage is claimed by Clan MacLeod and Norse tradition is celebrated in the winter fire festival at Dunvegan , during which a replica Viking long boat is set <unk> . 
 
 = = = <unk> and Scottish rule = = = 
 
 The most powerful clans on Skye in the post – Norse period were Clan MacLeod , originally based in Trotternish , and Clan Macdonald of Sleat . Following the disintegration of the Lordship of the Isles , the <unk> also emerged as an independent clan , whose substantial <unk> in Skye were centred on Strathaird . Clan <unk> also have a long association with Trotternish , and in the 16th century many of the <unk> clan moved to Sleat . The <unk> of South Uist were bitter rivals of the <unk> , and an attempt by the former to murder church @-@ <unk> at <unk> in retaliation for a previous massacre on <unk> , resulted in the Battle of the <unk> <unk> of <unk> . 
 After the failure of the <unk> rebellion of <unk> , Flora MacDonald became famous for rescuing Prince Charles Edward Stuart from the <unk> troops . Although she was born on South Uist her story is strongly associated with their escape via Skye and she is buried at Kilmuir in Trotternish . Samuel Johnson and James Boswell 's visit to Skye in 1773 and their meeting with Flora MacDonald in Kilmuir is recorded in Boswell 's The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides . Boswell wrote , " To see Dr. Samuel Johnson , the great champion of the English <unk> , salute Miss Flora MacDonald in the isle of Sky , [ sic ] was a striking sight ; for though somewhat <unk> in their notions , it was very <unk> they should meet here " . Johnson 's words that Flora MacDonald was " A name that will be mentioned in history , and if courage and fidelity be virtues , mentioned with honour " are written on her gravestone . After this rebellion the clan system was broken up and Skye became a series of landed estates . 
 Of the island in general , Johnson observed : 
 I never was in any house of the islands , where I did not find books in more languages than one , if I <unk> long enough to want them , except one from which the family was removed . Literature is not neglected by the higher rank of the <unk> . It need not , I suppose , be mentioned , that in countries so little frequented as the islands , there are no houses where travellers are entertained for money . He that wanders about these <unk> , either <unk> recommendations to those whose <unk> lie near his way , or , when night and weariness come upon him , takes the chance of general hospitality . If he finds only a cottage he can expect little more than shelter ; for the <unk> have little more for themselves but if his good fortune brings him to the residence of a gentleman , he will be glad of a storm to prolong his stay . There is , however , one inn by the sea @-@ side at <unk> , in Sky , where the post @-@ office is kept . 
 Skye has a rich heritage of ancient monuments from this period . Dunvegan Castle has been the seat of Clan MacLeod since the 13th century . It contains the Fairy Flag and is reputed to have been inhabited by a single family for longer than any other house in Scotland . The 18th @-@ century Armadale Castle , once home of Clan Donald of Sleat , was abandoned as a residence in 1925 but now hosts the Clan Donald Centre . Nearby are the ruins of two more MacDonald strongholds , <unk> Castle , and <unk> Castle , the legendary home of warrior woman , martial arts instructor ( and , according to some sources , Queen ) <unk> . <unk> <unk> , built in the late 15th century near <unk> and once a seat of Clan <unk> , is another ruin . 
 
 = = = Clearances = = = 
 
 In the late 18th century the harvesting of kelp became a significant activity but from 1822 on cheap imports led to a collapse of this industry throughout the Hebrides . During the 19th century , the inhabitants of Skye were also devastated by famine and Clearances . Thirty thousand people were evicted between 1840 and 1880 alone , many of them forced to <unk> to the New World . For example , the settlement of <unk> on the west coast of Duirinish was cleared on 4 August 1830 . Every <unk> under the age of seventy was removed and placed on board the Midlothian on threat of imprisonment , with those over that age being sent to the <unk> . The " Battle of the <unk> " involved a demonstration against a lack of access to land and the serving of <unk> notices . The incident involved numerous <unk> and about 50 police officers . This event was instrumental in the creation of the Napier Commission , which reported in 1884 on the situation in the Highlands . <unk> continued until the passing of the 1886 <unk> ' Act and on one occasion 400 marines were deployed on Skye to maintain order . The ruins of cleared villages can still be seen at <unk> , <unk> and <unk> in <unk> <unk> , and <unk> on Minginish . 
 
 = = = Overview of population trends = = = 
 
 As with many Scottish islands , Skye 's population peaked in the 19th century and then declined under the impact of the Clearances and the military losses in the First World War . From the 19th century until 1975 Skye was part of the county of Inverness @-@ <unk> but the crofting economy <unk> and according to <unk> , " <unk> of UK governments have treated the island people <unk> . " a charge that has been levelled at both Labour and Conservative administrations ' policies in the Highlands and Islands . By 1971 the population was less than a third of its peak recorded figure in 1841 . However , the number of residents then grew by over 28 per cent in the thirty years to 2001 . 
 The changing relationship between the residents and the land is evidenced by Robert <unk> 's remark circa 1852 that , " There is now a village in Portree containing three hundred inhabitants . " Even if this estimate is <unk> the population of the island 's largest settlement has probably increased <unk> or more since then . During the period the total number of island residents has declined by 50 per cent or more . 
 The island @-@ wide population increase of 4 per cent between 1991 and 2001 occurred against the background of an overall reduction in Scottish island populations of 3 per cent for the same period . By 2011 the population had risen a further 8 @.@ 4 % to 10 @,@ 008 with Scottish island populations as a whole growing by 4 % to 103 @,@ 702 . 
 
 = = = Gaelic = = = 
 
 Historically , Skye was overwhelmingly Gaelic @-@ speaking , but this changed between 1921 and 2001 . In both the 1901 and 1921 censuses , all Skye parishes were more than 75 per cent Gaelic @-@ speaking . By 1971 , only Kilmuir parish had more than three quarters Gaelic speakers while the rest of Skye ranged between 50 and 74 per cent . At that time , Kilmuir was the only area outside the Western Isles that had such a high proportion of Gaelic speakers . In the 2001 census Kilmuir had just under half Gaelic speakers , and overall , Skye had 31 per cent , distributed <unk> . The strongest Gaelic areas were in the north and south @-@ west of the island , including <unk> at 61 per cent . The weakest areas were in the west and east ( e.g. <unk> 23 per cent and <unk> 19 per cent ) . Other areas on Skye ranged between 48 per cent and 25 per cent . 
 
 = = Government and politics = = 
 
 In terms of local government , from 1975 to 1996 , Skye , along with the neighbouring mainland area of Lochalsh , constituted a local government district within the Highland administrative area . In 1996 the district was included into the unitary Highland Council , ( <unk> na <unk> ) based in Inverness and formed one of the new council 's area committees . Following the 2007 elections , Skye now forms a four @-@ member ward called " Eilean a ' Cheò " ; it is currently represented by two <unk> , one Scottish National Party , and one Liberal Democrat councillor . 
 Skye is in the Highlands electoral region and comprises a part of the Ross , Skye and Inverness West constituency of the Scottish Parliament , which elects one member under the first past the post basis to represent it . Currently this is David Thompson for the <unk> . In addition , Skye forms part of the wider Ross , Skye and Lochaber constituency , which elects one member to the House of Commons in Westminster . The present Member of Parliament is Ian <unk> of the Scottish National Party , who took office after the <unk> 's sweep in the General Election of 2015 . Prior to this , Charles Kennedy , a Liberal Democrat , had represented the area since the 1983 general election . 
 
 = = Economy = = 
 
 The largest employer on the island and its environs is the public sector , which accounts for about a third of the total workforce , principally in administration , education and health . The second largest employer in the area is the distribution , hotels and restaurants sector , highlighting the importance of tourism . Key attractions include Dunvegan Castle , the Clan Donald <unk> Centre , and The <unk> Experience arts and exhibition centre in Portree . There are about a dozen large landowners on Skye , the largest being the public sector , with the Scottish Government owning most of the northern part of the island . <unk> is a community @-@ owned estate in Duirinish and the Sleat Community Trust , the local development trust , is active in various regeneration projects . 
 Small firms dominate employment in the private sector . The <unk> <unk> , which produces a single <unk> <unk> , is beside Loch <unk> on the west coast of the island . Three other <unk> — Mac na Mara ( " son of the sea " ) , <unk> <unk> <unk> Eilean ( " wee <unk> of the <unk> " ) and <unk> <unk> ( " black pot " ) — are produced by <unk> <unk> na <unk> ( " smugglers den by the Sound of Sleat " ) , based at Eilean <unk> . These are marketed using predominantly Gaelic @-@ language labels . There is also an established software presence on Skye , with Portree @-@ based <unk> having expanded in recent years . 
 <unk> is still important , but although there are about 2 @,@ 000 <unk> on Skye only 100 or so are large enough to enable a <unk> to earn a livelihood entirely from the land . Cod and <unk> stocks have declined but commercial fishing remains important , especially fish farming of salmon and <unk> such as <unk> . The west coast of Scotland has a considerable renewable energy potential and the Isle of Skye <unk> Co @-@ op has recently bought a stake in the Ben <unk> wind farm near Dunvegan . There is a thriving arts and crafts sector . 
 The unemployment rate in the area tends to be higher than in the Highlands as a whole , and is seasonal in nature , in part due to the impact of tourism . The population is growing and in common with many other scenic rural areas in Scotland , significant increases are expected in the percentage of the population aged 45 to 64 years . 
 
 = = Transport = = 
 
 Skye is linked to the mainland by the Skye Bridge , while ferries sail from Armadale on the island to <unk> , and from <unk> to Glenelg . <unk> also run from Uig to <unk> on Harris and <unk> on North Uist , and from <unk> to Raasay . 
 The Skye Bridge opened in 1995 under a private finance initiative and the high tolls charged ( £ 5 @.@ 70 each way for summer visitors ) met with widespread opposition , spearheaded by the pressure group <unk> ( Skye and Kyle Against <unk> ) . On 21 December 2004 it was announced that the Scottish Executive had purchased the bridge from its owners and the tolls were immediately removed . 
 Bus services run to Inverness and Glasgow , and there are local services on the island , mainly starting from Portree or Broadford . Train services run from Kyle of Lochalsh at the mainland end of the Skye Bridge to Inverness , as well as from Glasgow to <unk> from where the ferry can be caught to Armadale . 
 The Isle of Skye Airfield at <unk> , near Broadford , is used by private aircraft and occasionally by NHS Highland and the Scottish Ambulance Service for transferring patients to hospitals on the mainland . 
 The <unk> trunk road traverses the island from the Skye Bridge to Uig , linking most of the major settlements . Many of the island 's roads have been widened in the past forty years although there are still substantial sections of single track road . 
 
 = = Culture , media and the arts = = 
 
 Students of Scottish Gaelic travel from all over the world to attend <unk> <unk> <unk> , the Scottish Gaelic college based near <unk> in Sleat . In addition to members of the Church of Scotland and a smaller number of Roman Catholics many residents of Skye belong to the Free Church of Scotland , known for its strict observance of the Sabbath . 
 Skye has a strong folk music tradition , although in recent years dance and rock music have been growing in popularity on the island . Gaelic folk rock band <unk> started in Skye and former singer Donnie Munro still works on the island . <unk> 's second single and a concert staple is entitled Skye , the lyrics being partly in English and partly in Gaelic and they have released other songs such as " <unk> on <unk> " that were inspired by the island . Celtic fusion band the <unk> <unk> are based on Skye . <unk> <unk> singer Ian Anderson owned an estate at Strathaird on Skye at one time . Several <unk> songs are written about Skye , including Dun <unk> , Broadford <unk> , and Acres Wild ( which contains the lines " Come with me to the <unk> Isle , / Northern father 's western child ... " in reference to the island itself ) . The Isle of Skye Music Festival featured sets from The Fun Lovin ' <unk> and Sparks , but collapsed in 2007 . Electronic musician <unk> was born on Skye . 
 The poet <unk> MacLean , a native of the Isle of Raasay , which lies off the island 's east coast , lived much of his life on Skye . The island has been <unk> in the traditional song " The Skye Boat Song " and is the <unk> setting for the novel To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf , although the Skye of the novel bears little relation to the real island . John Buchan 's descriptions of Skye , as featured in his Richard <unk> novel Mr <unk> , are more true to life . I <unk> di <unk> <unk> is a 2004 Italian language work of non @-@ fiction by <unk> <unk> . The international bestseller , The Ice Twins , by S K <unk> , published around the world in 2015 @-@ 2016 , is set in southern Skye , especially around the settlement and islands of <unk> . 
 Skye has been used as a location for a number of feature films . The <unk> aerodrome was used for the opening scenes of the 1980 film Flash Gordon . <unk> , released in 2007 and starring Robert De <unk> and Michelle Pfeiffer , featured scenes near Uig , Loch <unk> and the <unk> . Another 2007 film , <unk> : The <unk> <unk> , was shot almost entirely in various locations on the island . Some of the opening scenes in Ridley Scott 's 2012 feature film <unk> were shot at the Old Man of <unk> . In 1973 The Highlands and Islands - a Royal Tour , a documentary about Prince Charles 's visit to the Highlands and Islands , directed by Oscar <unk> , was shot partly on Skye . 
 The West Highland Free Press is published at Broadford . This weekly newspaper takes as its motto " An <unk> , an <unk> ' s na <unk> " ( " The Land , the Language and the People " ) , which reflects its radical , campaigning priorities . The Free Press was founded in 1972 and <unk> in Skye , <unk> Ross and the Outer Hebrides . <unk> is a popular sport played throughout the island and Portree @-@ based Skye <unk> won the <unk> Cup in 1990 . 
 
 = = Wildlife = = 
 
 The Hebrides generally lack the biodiversity of mainland Britain , but like most of the larger islands , Skye still has a wide variety of species . Observing the abundance of game birds Martin wrote : 
 There is plenty of land and water <unk> in this isle - as hawks , eagles of two kinds ( the one grey and of a larger size , the other much less and black , but more destructive to young cattle ) , black cock , heath @-@ hen , <unk> , pigeons , wild <unk> , <unk> , and cranes . Of this latter sort I have seen sixty on the shore in a flock together . The sea <unk> are malls of all kinds - <unk> , <unk> , sea cormorant , & c . The natives observe that the latter , if perfectly black , makes no good broth , nor is its flesh worth eating ; but that a cormorant , which hath any white feathers or down , makes good broth , and the flesh of it is good food ; and the broth is usually drunk by nurses to increase their milk . 
 Similarly , Samuel Johnson noted that : 
 At the tables where a stranger is received , neither plenty nor delicacy is wanting . A tract of land so thinly inhabited , must have much wild @-@ <unk> ; and I scarcely remember to have seen a dinner without them . The moor @-@ game is every where to be had . That the sea <unk> with fish , needs not be told , for it supplies a great part of Europe . The Isle of Sky has <unk> and <unk> , but no hares . They sell very numerous <unk> of oxen yearly to England , and therefore cannot be supposed to want beef at home . <unk> and goats are in great numbers , and they have the common domestic <unk> . " 
 In the modern era avian life includes the corncrake , red @-@ throated diver , <unk> , <unk> , Atlantic <unk> , <unk> and golden eagle . The eggs of the last breeding pair of white @-@ tailed sea eagle in the UK were taken by an egg collector on Skye in 1916 but the species has recently been re @-@ introduced . The <unk> last bred on the island in 1900 . Mountain hare ( apparently absent in the 18th century ) and <unk> are now abundant and preyed upon by wild cat and pine <unk> . The rich fresh water streams contain brown trout , Atlantic salmon and water <unk> . Offshore the edible crab and edible <unk> are also found , the latter especially in the Sound of <unk> . There are nationally important horse <unk> and <unk> beds in the sea <unk> and in 2012 a bed of 100 million flame shells was found during a survey of Loch <unk> . Grey <unk> can be seen off the Southern coast . 
 Heather moor containing ling , bell <unk> , cross @-@ <unk> heath , <unk> <unk> and <unk> is everywhere abundant . The high Black <unk> weather too slowly to produce a soil that <unk> a rich plant life , but each of the main peninsulas has an individual flora . The basalt <unk> of Trotternish produce a diversity of Arctic and alpine plants including alpine <unk> and <unk> <unk> . The low @-@ lying fields of Waternish contain corn <unk> and corn <unk> . The sea cliffs of Duirinish <unk> mountain <unk> and fir <unk> . Minginish produces fairy flax , cats @-@ ear and black <unk> rush . There is a fine example of <unk> @-@ rich ash woodland at <unk> in Sleat incorporating silver birch , <unk> , bird cherry , and hawthorn . 
 The local Biodiversity Action Plan recommends land management measures to control the spread of <unk> and <unk> and identifies four non @-@ native , invasive species as threatening native biodiversity : Japanese <unk> , <unk> , New Zealand <unk> and mink . It also identifies problems of over @-@ grazing resulting in the impoverishment of moorland and upland habitats and a loss of native woodland , caused by the large numbers of red deer and sheep . 
 
 