<P> The northern peninsula of Trotternish is underlain by basalt, which provides relatively rich soils and a variety of unusual rock features . The Kilt Rock is named after the tartan - like patterns in the 105 metres (344 ft) cliffs . The Quiraing 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 Storr . </P> <P> Beyond Loch Snizort to the west of Trotternish is the Waternish peninsula, which ends in Ardmore Point's double rock arch . Duirinish is separated from Waternish by Loch Dunvegan, which contains the island of Isay . The loch is ringed by sea cliffs that reach 295 metres (967 ft) at Waterstein Head . Oolitic loam provides good arable land in the main valley . Lochs Bracadale and Harport and the island of Wiay lie between Duirinish and Minginish, which includes the narrower defiles of Talisker and Glen Brittle and whose beaches are formed from black basaltic sands . Strathaird is a relatively small peninsula close to the Cuillin hills with only a few crofting communities, the island of Soay lies offshore . The bedrock of Sleat in the south is Torridonian sandstone, which produces poor soils and boggy ground, although its lower elevations and relatively sheltered eastern shores enable a lush growth of hedgerows and crops . The islands of Raasay, Rona, Scalpay and Pabay all lie to the north and east between Skye and the mainland . </P> <P> 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 Chimneys restaurant . The 18th - century Stein Inn on the Waternish coast is the oldest pub on Skye . Kyleakin is linked to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland by the Skye Bridge, which spans the narrows of Loch Alsh . Uig, the port for ferries to the Outer Hebrides, is on the west of the Trotternish peninsula and Edinbane is between Dunvegan and Portree . Much of the rest of the population lives in crofting townships scattered around the coastline . </P> <P> 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 Duntulm in Trotternish . Snow seldom lies at sea level and frosts 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 2,870 mm (113 in) of rain per annum . Trotternish typically has 200 hours of bright sunshine in May, the sunniest 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 Lusa in the south - east of the island . </P>

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