Carbost and Talisker on Skye

Carbost is a small Village on the west side of the Isle of Skye, 8 miles west of Sligachan, 17 miles southwest of Portree. Carbost is popular for the Talisker Whisky Distillery shop and tours in Carbost, Boat Trips at times, and a scenic Walk with a Beach, Sea Stacks and Waterfalls 5 miles southwest of Carbost at Talisker House via a narrow hill road.

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The top image right is from the centre of Carbost looking east with the large white building being the Talisker Whiskey Distillery with the Cuillin Mountains in the distance.

The drive out from Sligachan to Carbost alongside Loch Harport is one of the scenic roads on the Island.

The second image is of the Talisker Whisky Distillery with a large shop, museum and tours.

Talisker is a Single Malt Whisky matured between 8 and 80 years in American Oak Barrels, £46 to £7,500 per bottle.
Talisker Whisky Range.

The Cafe is across the road from the Distillery where there are also a number of signs showing the boat tours that can be taken from here at times.

The Booking office for Boat Tours is a short walk from the Distillery with a large grassland with seating overlooking the Jetty. There does not seem to be any operating out of Carbost in 2026.

The road leads 4 miles further west to Portnalong at the end of the Peninsular. Portnalong is an area with a number of well spaced houses with a selection of B&Bs, Hostels and the Taigh Ailean Hotel.

The Hill Road southwest leads 5 miles to Talisker House where there is a real scenic walk.

Carbost and Talisker History

1717 - Talisker House was built for the MacLeod's of Talisker.

1700s late - the Highland Clearances began to make way for large scale sheep farming, and to reduce the number of people so as to make rebellions less likely. This lead to many people from the area re-locating, some to America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, some to the mainland towns and cities.

1800s early - Major Donald MacLeod, 6th of Talisker, hit financial problems, with him starting to clear small scale Farmers from his land to make way for large scale sheep farming in an attempt to clear his debt.

1820 - debt forced Major Donald MacLeod to sell the Talisker Estate, then emigrate to Tasmania with 36 friends from the area.

Lauchlan Maclean was in control of the Estate from that time.

1825 - Hugh MacAskill took over Talisker Estate, with him clearing more Farmers to make way for more large scale sheep farming.

1830 - the Talisker Distillery was built at Carbost for Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill.

1880 - 1887 - the Distillery was re-built and extended.

1900 - Talisker began producing Triple Distilled Single Malt Whisky that produces a smoother Whisky.

1928 - Talisker changed to Double Distilling that gives a stronger taste.

1960 - Talisker was rebuilt after a Fire in a Stillhouse destroyed the Distillery.

1997? - Talisker House was converted to a bed and breakfast by Jon and Ros Wathen.

Talisker House is 5 miles southwest of Carbost in a real scenic area with a Beach, Sea Stacks, and Waterfalls, with the Hill Road out being real narrow.

Talisker House Area Walk Pics