In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Kyleakin like this:
Kyle-Akin, a village on the NE verge of Strath parish, Isle of Skye, Inverness-shire, at Kyle-Akin strait between Skye and the mainland of Ross-shire. The village, 7 miles SW of Lochalsh church, and 8 ENE of Broadford, was founded by the third Lord Macdonald, on a ground plan, as an intended considerable seaport, to consist chiefly of two-story houses with attics; but has never yet exceeded, and gives no prospect of exceeding, the limits of a mere village. ...
A main thoroughfare between Skye and the mainland, and the seat or meeting-place of the synod of Glenelg, it has a post office under Lochalsh, with money order, savings' bank, and telegraph departments, a good inn, a chapel of ease (1875), a public school, and a regular ferry. Castle-Maoil, the neighbouring ruin of a strong old fortalice, has been separately noticed. Kyle-Akin strait, which gave name to the village, got its affix from King Hakon of Norway, on occasion of his expedition against Scotland in 1263. At the SW extremity of Loch Alsh, and forming the north-western termination of the long Sound of Sleat, which separates Skye from the mainland of Inverness-shire, it looks to be so narrow that a common fable represents the old method of crossing it to have been by leaping; averages ½ mile in breath for about 1 mile in length; was originally designed to be the terminus of the Dingwall and Skye railway, which eventually stopped short at Strome Ferry; and is overlooked by a lighthouse, showing a fixed light visible at the distance of 11 nautical miles, red towards the S, and white towards Loch Alsh and the Sound of Applecross.
Kyleakin through time
Kyleakin is now part of Highland district. Click here for graphs and data of how Highland has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Kyleakin itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Kyleakin, in Highland and Inverness Shire | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/21500
Date accessed: 26th April 2024
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