Armadale Castle and Gardens, The Isle of Skye

Armadale, for most tourists, is a place to pass through quickly after getting off the ferry from Mallaig. However, it can be an ideal and often-missed spot to add to the end of your day trip to Skye from Mallaig if you want to be sure you’re in time for the ferry back.

You can spend a pleasant half hour to an hour wandering around the beautiful gardens of Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isles and you can enjoy a picnic in the grounds if you wish. Children can play in the small adventure play park.

Disclosure: When you make a purchase through the links on this site, I may earn commission from partners. This helps me to build a site full of information and tips and to bring you more great posts!

Armadale Castle Gardens on the Isle of Skye, presenting a tranquil pond covered in water lilies, encircled by a lush assortment of flora including vibrant purple flowers in the foreground and a variety of green and red shrubbery. The garden exudes a peaceful aura beneath a partly cloudy sky,

The castle is part of the Clandonald Estate and a few walking and wildlife trails start just outside the castle. Passing through woodlands, climbing up hills or ambling near the shore, you may spot deer, birds of prey and otters along these paths. See more information on the trails at Armadale.

The local gift shops allow for last-minute shopping for souvenirs and gifts and local eateries offer somewhere to eat before getting back on the ferry. We had a tasty meal at the Inn at Àird a’ Bhàsair before heading back to Mallaig.

Just a bit further down the road, you can also go sea kayaking with South Skye Sea Kayak.

These posts may also be useful to help you in planning your trip to Skye, especially if you’re travelling with the ferry from Mallaig

Other fabulous islands to visit near the Isle of Skye (and much quieter!)

📱Follow on Instagram or Facebook to see more photos, videos, tips and snippets of information
🗞️ Join Everything Arisaig mailing list for notifications of new posts, products and occasional news.
📘 Get your digital guide to Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig here.
🌐 Go to Home or About to know more about Everything Arisaig or see all posts here.

A tablet screen displays the digital travel guide Exploring Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig: Walks, Beaches, Boat Trips & Slow Travel in the West Highlands of Scotland. The cover shows a tranquil coastal scene with green grass, sandy beach, and calm blue water, while the guide title is repeated in large text alongside the device.