Set round its natural harbour, Portree is the main town on Skye and an important centre, with an excellent range of shops and leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, pony-trekking and boat cruises. It is very much a cultural focus for the island and the Aros Centre at the south end of the town has a programme of concerts, theatre and cinema, as well as an exhibition about the environment of Skye and Lochalsh and an RSPB exhibit with nest cameras for the rare sea-eagles.

North of Portree the Trotternish Ridge - the edge of an ancient lava sheet - stretches for around 20 miles (31km) in a line of continuous cliffs west of the road. In places, landslips long ago have created fantastic rockforms and pinnacles. The first of these, the Old Man of Storr, is approachable by a footpath and is easily seen against the skyline from the main road. Kilt Rock is a little way further north. Here, alternate bandings of two rock types on the coastal cliff have created a curious pleated effect like a kilt. The Quiraing lies a few minutes further on. The rock formations here are perhaps the most extraordinary of all, with intriguing features such as the Needle, the Prison and the Table. (There are walks for the careful and surefooted.)

Continuing round the peninsula, Duntulm, an ancient castle site and former seat of the Clan Donald, marks the most northerly section of the road. A little further, the Skye Museum of Island Life at Kilmuir evokes the life of the crofters of old in its cluster of thatched cottages. (The grave and monument to Flora Macdonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie, is nearby) Finally, the A87 goes south towards Portree from Uig, an attractive village with whitewashed cottages and the ferry terminal for the Western Isles.

As well as for relaxed road touring, this is good walking country with, for example, miles of the Trotternish Ridge to explore. Outdoor lovers also head for the island of Raasay, easily reached by ferry from Sconser. Sea kayaking, rock-climbing and a good choice of waymarked walks are some of the attractions of this unspoilt and peaceful place.