Latest news with #MistyIslesBoatTrips
Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The 'magical' Scottish island loch that captivated Sex and the City star
Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon and her wife visited the tiny town on Isle of Skye and took a boat to the stunning Loch Hollywood actress Cynthia Nixon has joined the growing list of admirers enchanted by the wild beauty of the Isle of Skye. The actor hailed her "magical" experience after enjoying a scenic boat trip/ The Sex and the City star, best known for her role as Miranda Hobbes in the hit television series, travelled to the Misty Isle with her wife Christine Marinoni. During their stay, they visited the southern tip of Skye. There they boarded a boat from the tiny hamlet of Elgol and journeyed across Loch Scavaig to reach the remote and dramatic Loch Coruisk., Scottish Daily Express reports. Posting on Instagram, Nixon, 59, was full of praise for their experience on the glacial loch, singling out the family-run Misty Isle Boat Trips team that took them there. She wrote: 'Scotland adventure from the wee town of Elgol on the tip of Isle of Skye to the remote, magical Loch Coruisk. HIGHLY recommend this tour with the family run Misty Isles Boat Trips. "Thanks to the family matriarch Anne for telling us to put the pedal to the metal and get on board and you were right, your grandson Seamus was the best! Oh and don't forget to pack sandwiches from Cafe Elgol.' The Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress also shared a short video featuring highlights from the trip. While the weather appeared typically Scottish, with some rain during the outing, it did little to dampen the couple's spirits. Fans quickly flooded the comments to echo Nixon's enthusiasm, with one follower writing: 'Yesss! We were there couple of weekends ago and loved it, best of Isle of Skye!' Another added: 'I said hi to you when we crossed paths in Cromarty, glad you had a lovely time!' Loch Coruisk, often described as one of Scotland's most atmospheric and awe-inspiring locations, lies in the shadow of the Black Cuillin mountain range and is fed by the short Scavaig River, believed to be the shortest river in the UK. The loch is nearly two miles long but less than 400 metres wide, and its inky blue waters are framed by towering, jagged peaks often shrouded in mist. Though reachable by foot via an 11km hike from Sligachan or a 9km route from Kilmarie that includes the tricky 'Bad Step', most visitors opt for the easier and more dramatic approach by boat from Elgol. This allows guests to skip the long walk while still enjoying the breathtaking arrival into the heart of the Cuillin. The Mackinnon family has operated Misty Isle Boat Trips since 1969, welcoming visitors from around the world to experience the scenery. Seumas Mackinnon, born and raised in Elgol, now runs the tours with his wife Anne, sons and grandchildren. 'Come and experience for yourself the finest scenery Scotland has to offer on one of our boat trips from Elgol to Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye,' the company states. Elgol itself, a scattered village located 14 miles south-west of Broadford at the end of the Strathaird peninsula, is reached via a winding single-track road through the Red Cuillin hills and past the ruins of Cill Chriosd and its picturesque graveyard. The journey is a scenic adventure in its own right, with views across the island adding to the sense of remoteness.
The National
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Sex and the City star gives Scottish island boat trip rave review
Nixon, best known for her role as Miranda in Sex And The City and its sequel And Just Like That, shared a video on her social media of her taking a boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk in Skye. Workers at the family-run Misty Isles Boat Trips are filmed taking Nixon across Loch Scavaig to reach the hidden loch. READ MORE: Robin McAlpine: A National subscription is an investment in Scotland's future Nixon said the 'matriarch' of the business, Anne MacKinnon, gave them direct instructions, " telling us to put the pedal to the metal and get on board". The Us actor, who said on her Instagram: "Scotland adventure from the wee town of Elgol on the tip of Isle of Skye to the remote, magical Loch Coruisk. "HIGHLY recommend this tour with the family run Misty Isles Boat Trips. Thanks to the family matriarch Anne for telling us to put the pedal to the metal and get on board and you were right — your grandson Seamus was the best! "Oh and don't forget to pack sandwiches from Cafe Elgol." The company has run trips from Elgol for decades. Nixon appeared in the six series of Sex and the City between 1998 and 2004, before two films, Sex And The City (2008) and Sex And The City 2 (2010). The films were followed by three series of And Just Like That…, which is set 11 years after the events of the 2010 film. Nixon is a key activists voice in America, and in 2018, she ran for Governor of New York as a challenger to Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo. She ran on a campaign focused on income inequality, renewable energy, universal health care, stopping mass incarceration in the US, and protecting undocumented children from deportation. She lost in the Democratic primary to Cuomo on with 34% of the vote.
Scottish Sun
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Sex in the City star spotted in tiny Scottish village as she hails hidden tourist spot
She recommended her followers visit the remote location too. FAMOUS FACE Sex in the City star spotted in tiny Scottish village as she hails hidden tourist spot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEX and the City star Cynthia Nixon made a shock visit to Scotland for a special adventure on the Isle of Skye. The telly legend, who played Miranda Hobbes in the iconic series and movies, was mesmerised by her trip and called on her nearly two million Instagram followers to visit as well. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Cynthia about to get on the boat. 3 The actress made her name in Sex and the City. Credit: Getty 3 It was one of the biggest TV shows ever and led to movies. Credit: Getty Cynthia, 59, swapped Manhattan home for the Isle of Skye to check out one of the country's most remote beauty spots. She explored the coastal village of Elgol before catching a ride with family-run Misty Isles Boat Trips who took her across from Loch Coriusk to Loch Scavaig. The showbiz fave said: 'We just took an amazing boat trip from Elgol to the loch. 'It was incredible. If you're ever in Elgol, don't miss these people 'Thanks to the family matriarch Anne for telling us to put the pedal to the metal and get on board, and you were right - your grandson Seamus was the best. 'Oh and don't forget to pack sandwiches from Cafe Elgol.' Anne MacKinnon runs the firm, while Seamus captains the boat. Cynthia added: 'He was the best. A true Skye seafarer – calm, funny, and full of fascinating tales.' We previously told how Sex And the City creator Candace Bushnell insisted she made Scotsmen sexy long before Outlander - after featuring a hot kilt wearing hunk in her hit TV show. The New York author - who was the basis for Sarah Jessica Parker's journalist character Carrie Bradshaw - is quick to point out that Kyle MacLachlan portrayed Charlotte's tartan-clad hubby Trey MacDougal in the series. Sarah Jessica Parker, 59, fans say star 'hasn't aged a day' as she films And Just Like That in sheer dress Candace said: 'One of the most popular characters from the show was Trey MacDougal, played brilliantly by Kyle MacLachlan. 'Although he didn't have a Scots accent, he was of Scottish descent and was steeped in Scots traditions as we even saw him get married to Charlotte in his kilt. 'I mean, a Scotsman in a kilt? "You can't beat that, can you? It's the fantasy. "So we were way ahead of Outlander with our sexy male stereotypes.'
Press and Journal
10-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Why this Skye 20-year-old swapped beautician plans for fishing career
It was a dreich day in the waters surrounding Skye when it became clear to skipper James Robertson that his unlikely young apprentice, Brooke Lamond, 'had what it takes' to become a master fisherwoman. The captain of the Kayvari, a prawn, lobster and crab fishing vessel from Elgol, watched as his long-haired 20-year-old trainee wrestled with a heavy creel. 'It was such a poor day out there. Brooke was carrying a creel from one part of the boat to another. They're heavy. Creels can be 20-30 kilos. She was trying to manoeuvre around with one when she tripped, fell, and landed in a box of crabs! 'I saw her bottom lip going for a second, but then she just carried on. She's definitely got the right – stubborn – personality for the job. 'Creel fishing is incredibly physically demanding. She's got what it takes. I'm sure of that. Although she didn't believe that about herself, to begin with.' Granddaughter of boat builder George Lamond, and daughter of renowned Skye trawler fisherman Kenny, being out on the water is in Brooke's blood. 'I've had her out on the boat since she was wee,' said Kenny, 'just like I did with my old man. 'She was regularly out with us for the whole day, and showed quite a lot of interest in fishing when she was younger. 'You'd always hear people saying to her 'come back and see me when you're 18 if you want a job.' But she was like most teenagers, her interests changed as she went up through secondary school.' Brooke, who attended the now mothballed Elgol Primary then Portree High, turned her attention away from seafood and boats, towards a career in beauty instead. 'It wasn't in my head to go fishing, really. 'When I was about eight or nine I went out on the Sea Ranger – the boat my granddad built – with dad, quite a lot. 'My dad has always spent a lot of time being on a trawler so my sister and I liked being out there with him. As I got older I stopped going out as much. 'I started thinking that maybe I could become a beautician. I really like hair and makeup. 'But that all changed last year.' Living on Skye, Brooke has, like many young people on the islands, a seasonal work pattern. For the summer, she joined the crew of Misty Isles Boat Trips. Run by the MacKinnon family, who take tourists to 'magical Loch Coruisk', Brooke has multiple roles. 'I book people on, do some admin, make teas and coffees. Sometimes I give a wee talk telling visitors about where we are. 'I really love it, but we don't do the tours in winter so I was going to have to find winter work.' It was then that James, 29, asked Brooke if she 'fancied joining him for the winter.' 'I tried it, and honestly expected to hate it. I really didn't think I'd be able to do it.' Brooke, who hails from Glasnakille in South Skye, still lives with her parents. Her sister Cori has moved off the island onto the mainland. 'Fishing is my legacy,' she laughs, 'so that means I know how hard it can be. 'But my dad has been a fisherman for over 40 years, despite having a disability, and my grandad built boats from scratch in our shed. 'Hard work is a family trait too. 'I'm secretly really proud I've been able to handle it. Especially as so many people said I'd not be able to do it.' Her dad is more than a little proud of her too. 'Fishing for lobsters, crabs and prawns is not easy,' he said. 'It's really manual work. Trawlers do long shifts but have heavy machinery to bring in the nets, creels have to be pulled in by hand and it can be relentless. 'We're all so proud of her.' You can almost hear Kenny smiling when he talks about his daughter. But if it feels odd, in 2025, for everyone to be surprised that a young woman can thrive in a what is still seemingly a man's world, it's for very good reason. 'She's tiny,' James laughs. 'She absolutely has the resolve and the willpower to work in fishing but everybody – absolutely everybody – is surprised she's strong enough. I'd say the same of a young lad if he was built like Brooke is. 'She turns heads all the time. Somebody of her height and build shouldn't be as capable as she is. It's why I put her forward for an award.' Petite, and just '5ft 6-ish', Brooke just won Fishing News' Trainee Fisherman of the Year Category. No category mentions fisherwomen but that didn't stop James. On the nomination form he described her as a 'rising star' who 'quickly silenced doubters with her work ethic and determination.' A fan of lobster days, Brooke enjoys learning about various marine species, but all days require strength and resolve. 'We stand side by side. I pull in the creels and Brooke has to rebait them and carry them to the other side of the boat to go back into the water. 'It's 12 hour shifts in bursts of 40 minute, high energy work. And it's all for live export. Which means there's a load of work to do when we land as well,' James added. Once back in the dock in Elgol their catch needs to be kept alive and repacked so it can be driven overland to Barcelona. 'Vans arrive to collect the lobsters, prawns and crabs. We need to pack them individually. Each box is 30-40 kilos. 'They then go to factories in Kyle and Fort William where they are stored in sea water containers and driven overland to Spain. 'Not for the faint hearted. It's hard, hard graft.' But is the unyielding life of a fisherman – or woman – something Brooke has set her heart on? 'Well, I'm still interested in beauty. I was thinking of signing up to do a nail course. Maybe I'll do that as a side hustle. 'For now though, I'm quite happy being on the tour boats in summer and fishing in winter. And hopefully I'll keep surprising myself at what I can do.' Read more Skye stories here:
