History of Kyleakin, Isle of Skye

Kyleakin is one of the main gateways to Skye and is now a picturesque fishing village. The name of the village comes from Kyle Haakon or Haakon's strait in memory of the Norwegian king, (the island was Norwegian territory for hundreds of years).

There is evidence of the strategic importance of the village and of its colourful history at Castle Moil which still dominates the views south from the village even though it is now in a poor state of repair. It was originally known as Dunakin, was built in the 10th Century as a Fortress and a Look-out, stronghold of the Mackinnons. It is also from there that the chain was said to be strung accross the Kyle and all ships had to pay a toll or risk the rougher outer passage. There were however certain rewards to paying the Toll!

It was here that King Haakon IV of Norway gathered his ships prior to the Battle of Largs in 1263. It was the victory of Alexander the III of Scotland here that brought large tracts of Scotland back from Norwegian rule and finally broke the power of the Norsemen on this side of the North Sea. 

Kyleakin used to be a landing point for the ferries which crossed from Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland. This crossing in now made by the Skye Bridge which opened in 1995. It used to be the most expensive toll bridge per metre anywhere in the world, we are now happy to say that it is Toll Free.