Bernisdale

Settlement in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Bernisdale

A850 crossing the Treaslane River Credit: Alpin Stewart

Bernisdale is a small village located in the Inverness-shire region of Scotland. Situated on the Isle of Skye, it is nestled between the Cuillin Mountains and Loch Snizort. The village is part of the Highland Council area and lies approximately 10 miles northwest of Portree, the island's largest town.

The landscape surrounding Bernisdale is breathtaking, with rolling hills, picturesque lochs, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The area is renowned for its natural beauty and attracts visitors from around the world who come to explore the rugged terrain and experience the tranquility of the Scottish Highlands.

Despite its small size, Bernisdale offers a range of amenities for both residents and visitors. There is a local pub and a handful of guesthouses, providing accommodation options for those wishing to stay in the area. The village is also home to a primary school, ensuring that families have access to education for their children.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in and around Bernisdale. The nearby Loch Snizort offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife spotting, while the surrounding hills and mountains are a haven for hikers and climbers. The village is also a popular base for exploring the wider Isle of Skye, with its iconic landmarks such as the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools.

Overall, Bernisdale is a charming village that offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Its stunning natural surroundings and range of outdoor activities make it a popular destination for those seeking a true Scottish experience.

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Bernisdale Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.465298/-6.333571 or Grid Reference NG4049. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A850 crossing the Treaslane River

Alpin Stewart

Bernisdale junction

Looking north - a minor road junction off the A850.

Richard Dorrell

Country south of Eyre

David Purchase

Old Milestone in Bernisdale, Portree parish

Highland granite by the UC road (old A850), in parish of Portree (District), Bernisdale, just North of short connecting road to the A850, by low wall just North of large outbuilding at Veterinary Practice, East side of road. Inscription once read:- : (Portree / 7¼) : : (Tayinlone / 3) : Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: HI_SKPODV07

Milestone Society

Bernisdale

Bernisdale is a crofting township of many scattered dwellings, with its single-track access road now by-passed by the modern two-way A850.

Richard Dorrell

Skerinish House

The east elevation of the 19th century reworking of a Skye tacksman's house.

John Allan

Track above Bernisdale

This ancient track leads south onto the moorland to the west of Bernisdale. Although just here, the track is in quite good condition, further south it fades into a barely discernible path with sections of bog. There are no visible footprints or tyre marks, so the track looks to be completely unused nowadays.

Richard Dorrell

Treaslane River

The Allt Dearg and the Maraig Burn join close to here to become the Treaslane River, which flows north to meet the sea in Loch Snizort Beag.

Richard Dorrell

Allt Dearg

Looking upstream, the river is here flowing out from a deep narrow gorge. A little downstream it is joined by the Maraig Burn and becomes the Treaslane River.

Richard Dorrell

Gorge of the Allt Dearg

Completely unseen from above, the river flows through a straight and deep narrow gorge for almost a kilometre just here. (See NG3849 : Allt Dearg gorge ). In stark contrast the heather moorland above, the shelter of the gorge allows the growth of a small woodland of trees, mostly Rowan and Birch. The gorge will also be a haven for a plethora of lichens and bryophytes.

Richard Dorrell

Gorge of the Allt Dearg

The river drops over a small waterfall within the sheer sided gorge just here - unfortunately hidden from view by the bracken.

Richard Dorrell

Fence above the gorge

The dense foliage is the tops of trees growing in the almost sheer sided gorge of Allt Dearg. (See also NG3849 : Allt Dearg gorge and NG3850 : Gorge of the Allt Dearg ).It is not unusual for such gorges to be fenced to prevent wandering sheep and cattle from tumbling to their deaths. Just here however, a small section of older fence is in poor condition and would not be stock-proof.

Richard Dorrell

Treaslane River in a riffle and rapids section

Evidence of the geological youth of the glacially scraped surface is present here, evincing the minimal cutting of this stream through the rocky surface during the Holocene.

C Michael Hogan

Bernisdale towards Tote

Douglas Nelson

Defibrillator box, Bernisdale

The former telephone box NG3950 : Phone Box at Bernisdale has been repurposed to house one of the many defibrillators being placed around the island.

John Allan

Power station and Coire nan Ceann (The Cauldron of the Heads)

Site of the Battle of Skeabost, just one of the recurring fixtures in the constant struggle between the two main Skye clans. To quote the plaque on the small cairn: "In the battle of 1528 defeated MacLeods made their last stand against the MacDonalds. The battle took place opposite Columba's Isle. Where the golf course now stands the bodies were thrown into the River Snizort and collected in this pool. The river ran red with the blood of the slain." All is not what it seems. What appear to be open arches are in fact filled in with mirrors to reflect the surrounding greenery. The castellated structure, despite its appearance, was built only in the 1920s to house water turbines which generated electricity for Skeabost for thirty years, until the area was connected to the national grid in 1954. More recently the turbines have been updated and again harness the waters of the Snizort as a microgeneration scheme.

Tiger

Lightning tree?

I assume this pine, taller than the surrounding trees, has been the victim of a lightning strike. Ironically, even in its demise it seems to be serving as an electricity pole, supporting a cable supplying a house screened behind the trees to the right.

Tiger

Mouth of the River Snizort

Looking along the River Snizort to where it reaches the sea at the head of Loch Snizort Beag. To the left can be seen the A850 heading towards Dunvegan. Between the road and the river is the nine-hole golf course of the Skeabost House Hotel, which is itself the white building just visible at the far end of the golf course. The houses on the far shore of the sea loch are in Bernisdale.

John Allan

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Bernisdale is located at Grid Ref: NG4049 (Lat: 57.465298, Lng: -6.333571)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

Also known as: Bearnasdal