Portree Harbour
Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye and its colourful harbour provides the most photographed view on the island: a row of painted houses in shades of pink, yellow, red and blue reflected in the sheltered waters of the bay, backed by wooded hillsides rising to the moorland above. The name Portree comes from the Scottish Gaelic Port Ruighe, meaning Royal Port, a reference to a visit by King James V in 1540 as part of his royal progress through the Western Isles to assert his authority over the clan chiefs of the region. The harbour developed as a fishing port and trading centre serving the scattered communities of Skye and the surrounding islands. Its sheltered position, formed by a natural bay in the coastline of the island's eastern shore, provided the kind of safe anchorage that was at a premium along the dramatically exposed western coast of Scotland. Fishing boats still work from the harbour, alongside the tour vessels that carry visitors to the dramatic sea stacks, seal colonies and wildlife-rich coastal areas visible from the water. Portree serves as the natural base for exploring Skye and its position roughly central on the island makes most of the major landscapes and attractions accessible as day excursions. The Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, the Fairy Pools near Glenbrittle, the Cuillin mountains and the Trotternish ridge are all within an hour's drive, making Portree the ideal overnight base for a visit of two or three days. The town itself has a good range of independent shops, seafood restaurants and accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels to budget hostels. The Aros Centre provides visitor information and a cinema, and the town's weekly farmers market offers local produce including Skye seafood, venison and artisan foods. Bonnie Prince Charlie made his final farewell to Flora MacDonald in Portree in 1746 after his escape from government forces following the Battle of Culloden, a connection to the romantic Jacobite history of the Western Isles that adds another layer of historical significance to this already compelling town.