Kyleakin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kyleakin | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Caol Acain | |
  Kyleakin shown within Scotland |
|
| Council area | Highland |
|---|---|
| Lieutenancy area | Ross and Cromarty |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF SKYE |
| Postcode district | IV41 |
| Dialling code | 01599 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Ross, Skye and Lochaber |
| Scottish Parliament | Ross, Skye and Inverness West |
| List of places: UK • Scotland | |
The village of Kyleakin (pronounced /kaɪlˈɑːkɪn/, Scottish Gaelic: Caol Acain) is situated on the east coast of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, opposite the northwest Scottish mainland town of Kyle of Lochalsh. Its name derives from 'Strait of Haakon' named after the King Haakon IV of Norway whose fleet moored there prior to the Battle of Largs that saw the end of Norwegian rule of the island.
From 1841 to October 16, 1995 a ferry service operated from Kyleakin to the mainland across the narrow straight of Loch Alsh, until it was replaced by the controversial Skye Bridge. Initially a toll bridge, the tolls were discontinued in 2004 following protests by local people.
In the early 19th century, Lord Macdonald conceived a grandiose plan for the development of Kyleakin, to be re-christened "New Liverpool". A contemporary print, intended to illustrate his plans, shows row upon row of tenement buildings but the project never came to fruition.
The village of Kyleakin is also the site of Castle Moil, an ancient ruined fortress built in the late 15th century. Legend states that it was originally built for a Norwegian princess known as 'Saucy Mary' who would charge a toll to any boat using the narrow channel by hanging a chain from the castle to the mainland to prevent unpaid crossings.
 Kyleakin from the Skye Bridge. |
