Orabost

Settlement in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Orabost

Whispers of CottongrassâA serene blanket bog landscape Credit: Mick Garratt

Orabost is a small hamlet located in the county of Inverness-shire, Scotland. Situated in the northwest part of the country, it is nestled within the beautiful Isle of Skye, known for its stunning landscapes and rugged coastline. Orabost is surrounded by breathtaking views of rolling hills, picturesque lochs, and the iconic Cuillin mountain range.

Despite its small size, Orabost is often visited by tourists seeking a peaceful and idyllic retreat. The village is known for its tranquility and untouched natural beauty, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers. Hiking trails, cycling routes, and fishing spots are abundant in the area, offering a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy.

The local community in Orabost is tight-knit, consisting mostly of residents who have lived in the area for generations. The hamlet has a few amenities such as a small convenience store and a traditional Scottish pub, where locals and visitors can socialize and unwind. The nearest town, Portree, is approximately 10 miles away and offers additional services and facilities.

Orabost is also home to some notable historical sites, including the ruins of Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. This iconic landmark attracts tourists from all over the world, who come to explore its rich history and stunning gardens.

In summary, Orabost is a quaint and peaceful hamlet in Inverness-shire, Scotland, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Isle of Skye and experience the warmth of the local community.

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Orabost Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.397899/-6.5682835 or Grid Reference NG2543. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Whispers of CottongrassâA serene blanket bog landscape

Mick Garratt

Contouring Beinn BhuidheâHealabhal Bheag beckons

Mick Garratt

Crossing Abhainn Easa DhuibhâAn inviting pool

Mick Garratt

Between Cnoc a SgÃ and Creagan BÃ nâAbandoned longhouses

See Link

for more info.

Mick Garratt

A road less maintainedâA study in perpetual repairs

A road less maintained—A study in perpetual repairs

Mick Garratt

The subsidiary summit of Cnoc Carrach and its cute little cottage

Mick Garratt

Forget the mundane field of buttercups and run-of-the-mill houses; let the fence post take centre stage

Mick Garratt

An overcast day, and here's a rugged grassy knoll broken by rock outcrops

Perched atop the knoll is a curlew, nearly silhouetted against the sky.

Mick Garratt

The tiny, inconsequential huddle of houses perched oh-so-grandly beside the hillock known as Cnoc Gresham

Mick Garratt

Renovation at Orbost House

The 18th-century wing (at right) and its early 19th-century extension are enveloped in scaffolding and a major renovation is in place. Orbost House is listed Category B Link

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Orbost House

The 18th-century east gable of the mansion, scaffolded for major restoration, is glimpsed through bare winter trees with a carpet of snowdrops in the foreground. Orbost House is listed Category B Link

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Walled garden at Orbost

The walled garden would originally have been used to grow ornamental plants, fruit and vegetables. It was restored from the 1990s in memory of members of the local Swire family- see NG2543 : Inscription at Orbost - but is now laid mainly to lawn.

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Inscription at Orbost

"This walled garden was restored in memory of Flora MacDonald Swire and of her grandparents Otta and Roger Swire of Orbost". Flora MacDonald Margaret Swire, aged 23, a descendant of Flora MacDonald the Highland heroine of 1746, was one of the victims of Pan Am Flight 103 which crashed over Lockerbie in December 1988. Her grandmother Otta Flora MacDonald Loïs, née Tarn (1898-1973) was an enthusiast for the folklore and traditions of Skye and other islands and wrote three books on the subject. For the location see NG2543 : Walled garden at Orbost.

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Orbost peacock

One of the resident birds struts his stuff.

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Skye Eco Bells Glamping

The octagonal huts on the Corner Croft at Orbost are glamping pods.

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Christmas Day walkies

An old and partially tumbled wall borders this part of the road towards Dunvegan from Orbost.

Richard Dorrell

East front of Orbost House

Emerging after more than two years of extensive restoration by MacKenzie Building & Civil Engineering Contractors of Dunvegan, this is the Regency (early 19th-century) building added to the east of the earlier (1764-5) house, originally the home of the MacLeod tacksmen of Orbost. The stonework has been repointed and newly limewashed to simulate its original appearance, the chimneystacks reconstructed and new attic windows installed in place of the former Velux rooflights. The house is listed Category B Link

"Main (east) facade of tooled Soay stone [from the small island just south of Skye] with polished ashlar dressings, harled flanks; earlier house of rubble. Principal facade; slightly advanced pedimented centre bay with 3 terminal urns; giant angle pilasters [antae] to outer bays; cornice and blocking course. Engaged Roman Doric columned doorpiece; decorative fanlight, sidelights and panelled door approached by flight steps. Ground floor windows taller than 1st; 12-pane glazing; 1 ground, 2 upper south gable windows; broad corniced end stacks with margins; slate roofs."

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