With the current cold snap hopefully coming to an end sooner rather than later, it's time to start planning ahead and thinking how to spend those pretty spring weekends.
It's certainly true that, no matter where you are in Scotland, you're likely to be close to something worth seeing—whether it's a castle on a loch that is said to be haunted or a pretty walk through the forest.
If you're looking to go a bit further afield this Easter holiday season, however, the Isle of Skye could be perfect. From rugged landscapes to charming fishing villages, the island has all of the ingredients for a perfect spring getaway.
For history buffs, there is even more to see. With Skye having been occupied since prehistoric times, there is evidence of life going back a long, long time.
One of the most fascinating features of Skye is that there is hard evidence that dinosaurs used to roam there in the form of visible footprints. Journeying to certain parts of the island, you can literally walk in their footsteps.
The most popular site is An Corran beach on the east coast of the island, close to the settlement of Staffin and north of the capital town of Portree. The black sandy beach offers stunning views out towards Staffin Island and the sea beyond.
However, the most unique aspect of the island is undoubtedly the dinosaur tracks on the rocks. These can sometimes be well hidden by seaweed and sand, meaning you will often need to uncover them yourself—which can make for an exciting activity for children.
The marks themselves consist of three-toed prints made by species such as the plant-eating Hadrosaurus, as well as the massive meat-eating Megalosaurus. It is believed that the footprints date back approximately 170 million years to the mid-Jurrassic period.
If you're heading to the one-of-a-kind beach, it might be worth a visit to the nearby Dinosaur Museum in Staffin. Not only is it home to an internationally renowned collection of fossils, but staff will also be able to offer advice on the best spots to find some dinosaur tracks.
More information can be found on the Staffin Dinosaur Museum website.
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