Portree (Port Righ)
Highland

Portree Harbour
©2011 Gazetteer for Scotland

The main town on the island of Skye, Portee (Gael: Port Righ) lies 34 miles (54.7 km) north of the Kyle of Lochalsh on a sheltered natural harbour facing east over the Sound of Raasay. Originally named Kiltragleann it was renamed Port an righ after the visit of James V during his 1540 tour of the Highlands.

In June 1746, Prince Charles Edward Stewart, disguised as 'Betty Burke', arrived at Portree with Flora Macdonald whilst on the run after the Battle of Culloden. The room in which they parted as he fled to Raasay and in which he gave her a locket containing his portrait as thanks for her assistance is now part of the town's Royal Hotel.

An important fishing port in the 19th Century, there is still a small fishing fleet based in the town catching lobster and crab. A service centre for agriculture in the surrounding area, Portree also attracts large numbers of tourists who come to visit the Aros Heritage Centre, which provides a 45 minute audio/visual tour of the history of the island, the Isle of Skye Highland Games, which are held at the beginning of August, and the Isle of Skye Classic and Vintage Car Rally held in May.

Carbost 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Portree is home to Talisker single malt whisky.

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