Kylerhea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kylerhea
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 Kylerhea
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF SKYE |
| Postcode district | IV40 |
| Dialling code | 01599 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Kylerhea (in Scottish Gaelic: Caol Reatha) is a small village. It is located on the east coast of the Isle of Skye. This beautiful spot is in the Scottish Highlands. Kylerhea looks out over Kyle Rhea. This is a narrow stretch of water. It separates the Isle of Skye from the Scottish mainland. The village gets its name from Rhea. Rhea was a hero in old Celtic stories.
For many years, a special ferry has connected Kylerhea. It links to Glenelg on the mainland. This ferry is a popular way to travel. It offers amazing views of the area.
Discovering Kylerhea
Kylerhea is a charming place. It is known for its stunning natural beauty. The village sits right by the water. This makes it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
The Historic Kylerhea Ferry
The ferry service at Kylerhea is very old. It has been running for hundreds of years. Long ago, farmers used it to move their cattle. They brought cattle from the Hebrides islands. The animals would cross Kyle Rhea to reach markets. Drovers, who were like cowboys, would wait for the right tides. They often rested at The Old Inn nearby.
The first car ferry started in 1935. It even had a special turntable on the boat. This helped cars turn around easily. Today, the Skye Bridge connects Skye to the mainland. It is free to use. However, the Kylerhea ferry is still very popular. The ferry boat is called the MV Glenachulish. It runs during the summer months. People love it because it is a more scenic route. It offers a traditional way to travel. This ferry service is now owned by the local community.
Kylerhea's Amazing Wildlife
Kylerhea is famous for its otter sanctuary. It is a great place to see these shy animals. You can park your car at the top of a hill. Then, you can enjoy a gentle walk. The path goes through peaceful pine woods.
At the end of the walk, you will find a viewing hide. This is a hidden spot. It gives you a perfect view of the Kyle. You can also see the beach and a large white lighthouse. Otters can be tricky to spot. They are very secretive creatures. But you might see grey and common seals. They often bask, or lie, on the shore.
Many different birds live around the bay. You might see cormorants diving for fish. Herring gulls and great black-backed gulls are also common. Higher up on the hill, the forest and moorland are home to smaller birds. European stonechats, willow warblers, and wood warblers sing from branches. Robins and chaffinches are much braver. They might hop right near you on the path!
