Study Abroad Blog

July 9, 2019

Journey to Skye (continued)

Mariana and I breathed a sigh of relief when we boarded the last ferry from Mallaig to the port of Armadale on the Isle of Skye—recognizing that our quest to reach Carbost in the daylight hours was now more or less guaranteed. Sandy, the taxi driver who met us on the island, talked about the sense of ambivalence many Skye residents felt towards the many visitors to the island. While they contribute a great deal to the island’s economy, they also present many difficulties. Their vehicles are responsible for much of the roadside erosion that is evident across the island, and many visitors are inadequately prepared to confront the challenges posed by Skye’s climate and rugged physical landscape. Mariana expressed an interest in seeing some highland cattle (affectionately known as “hairy coos” in Scotland) on her visit to Skye, and Sandy was more than willing to oblige.

Landmark College Study Abroad student in the Isle of Skye, Scotland