I live on the Waternish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye, where the air feels different – saltier, sharper, and cleaner than anywhere else I’ve ever been. When I’m not running Wine Guy on Skye, my independent wine business, I like to spend a few quiet hours watching what really owns this island: the wildlife. Out here, it’s not just the views that make you pause. It’s the wings.
The white-tailed sea eagle is our local celebrity. With a wingspan wider than my car, it soars effortlessly over the cliffs, scanning the waves below for fish. You don’t hear it coming – you just notice the shadow first, a sudden, perfect silence as everything else goes still. Further inland, the golden eagles rule the ridges above the Cuillin. They glide on invisible currents, patient and powerful, like they know the world will wait for them. Down by the loch, the oystercatchers and curlews bring the noise back, calling over the tide as the light fades.
Days like these remind me why I started Wine Guy on Skye. The stillness, the connection to nature, and the quiet satisfaction of choosing something with care. Every bottle I sell has been hand-picked by me, not from a catalogue but from real visits to vineyards across France, New Zealand, and England. I’ve met the winemakers, walked their rows, and listened to what drives them – the same curiosity and patience I see in those eagles.
When I get home after a day outdoors, I often reach for a wine that fits the feeling. After watching sea eagles, I like something bold yet balanced – maybe an English Chardonnay, rich but clean, with that subtle minerality that mirrors Skye’s rugged coastline. It’s not a wine that shouts. It’s one that lingers, like the memory of wings against a grey sky.
If I’ve been walking the coastal path from Stein to Waternish Point, I’ll pour a chablis from France. The freshness, the lime and green apple, always feel right after hours breathing in sea air. It’s a wine that clears your head, just like the island wind does.
Sometimes I think about how many visitors come here for the wildlife, but leave talking about the food. Skye’s local produce – shellfish, venison, cheese, and honey – has become a quiet secret among those who know where to look. Have you ever tried pairing local scallops, fried simply with butter and garlic, with a chilled English sparkling wine? The crisp acidity cuts through the richness perfectly. The same wine also works beautifully with smoked trout or even soft Highland cheeses.
People often tell me they find wine intimidating. I get it. There’s a lot of noise out there – complicated words, endless lists, prices that make no sense. But wine doesn’t need to be complicated to be good. It just needs to be honest. That’s why I’ve chosen bottles that are high quality but accessibly priced. Wines you can open without a special occasion but that still feel special when you do.
Do you find it difficult to choose wine when you’re on holiday? Would you like to have it ready for you when you arrive at your accommodation on Skye? That’s something I can help with. I offer bespoke wine deliveries across the island – and across the whole of the UK – so you can enjoy your stay without worrying about what to drink. I also host private tastings for guests in their holiday homes. It’s one of my favourite parts of the job: watching people discover a new favourite wine while the sound of seabirds drifts in from outside.
I think part of what makes a good tasting isn’t just the wine. It’s the story that goes with it. When you know who made the wine, where it came from, and what inspired it, the glass becomes more than a drink – it becomes a connection. That’s something I share with the winemakers I visit. Their vineyards might be in France or Kent or Oxfordshire, but their respect for nature, their attention to detail, and their pride in craft feel very familiar here on Skye.
The island has taught me a lot about balance. About listening before speaking, and about letting things take their time. It’s the same in wine. A good winemaker knows when to step back and let nature do the work. A good wine merchant does the same – choosing not just what sells, but what tells a story worth hearing.
As the evening light fades over Loch Bay, I sometimes sit outside with a glass of rosé and watch the swallows dart over the water. It’s peaceful in a way that cities can’t be. No noise, no rush, just the quiet rhythm of wings and waves. The rosé I’m drinking might be from Provence, pale and crisp with hints of wild strawberry. But somehow, it fits here perfectly. It’s light, fresh, and full of life – just like the island itself.
Would you like to explore wines that fit the landscape around you? Or maybe you want something that reminds you of Skye when you’re back home? Either way, I can help. Every wine I sell has been chosen because it reflects something I believe in: quality, honesty, and character. The same values that define this island and the people who live here.
So next time you’re on Skye, take a moment to look up. Watch the eagles, the gulls, the tiny wrens in the heather. Let the island slow you down. And when you’re ready, pour yourself a glass – something crisp, something thoughtful – and raise it to the wings above you.
You can discover the wines I’ve mentioned, book a private tasting, or arrange delivery for your stay at www.wineguyonskye.com.