Waternish Lighthouse

As Scottish poet Robert Burns waxed, “Wherever I wander, wherever I rove / The hills of the Highlands forever I love.” One iconic place within Burns’ forever-loved Highlands is the Isle of Skye, known for its majestic fairy pools, stunning castles, and sweeping green landscapes. On the northernmost point of Skye, you will find the Waternish Lighthouse, which is considered to be one of the greatest points for spotting whales and dolphins while taking in the vast Scottish landscape.

According to legend, apparently it was also a great point for spotting military officer Charles Edward Stuart, “the Young Pretender,” after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The story goes that after the battle, he tried to escape to France. Though his nickname of the Young Pretender references the fact that he was someone who claimed the throne for himself, the name fits well as during his escape, he pretended to be a woman to avoid capture. He was assisted by Flora MacDonald and allegedly Flora and Bonnie Prince Charlie (he was a man of many a nickname!) were spotted off Waternish Point. A militia fired on them, but they dodged those bullets (literally).

So if you ever make it up to Waternish Point, climb up the lighthouse and see if you can spot a whale, a dolphin, and/or an 18th century defeated military officer in drag!