A TOP adventurer who spends his life travelling the world has revealed his favourite destination – the Isle of Skye.
Alastair Humphreys spent four years cycling the globe, walked across India and rowed without a support ship across the Atlantic Ocean. In 2008 he completed the gruelling
Marathon des Sables – a 150-mile run across the Sahara desert – despite breaking his foot along the way.
Now the Yorkshireman has revealed the place he loves the most – the Isle of Skye off Scotland’s west coast.
And he is so fascinated by the island he goes there once a year to “relax and unwind” from his adventures.
In an interview with Singapore newspaper The Straits Times, he explained his choice.
“I love the scenery with its mix of mountains and oceans,” he said. “I go about once a year and always feel myself relax and unwind as soon as I cross the beautiful bridge from the mainland to the island.
“It feels a million miles away from London. I wish I lived there.”
He also revealed that his favourite place to spend the night was in a bothy – a bare cottage used as a shelter which usually has no electricity, running water or working toilet.
He said: “My favourite bothy is one perched on the northern cliffs of Skye. The views of the surrounding landscape and sea are incredible, and you can sometimes see whales.
“It is very beautiful but simple.”
Alastair, who was chosen as one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2012, has sampled dishes from across the world while on his expeditions.
But his top meal is traditional Cullen skink from the Edinbane Inn – a restaurant on the Isle of Skye.
The £5.95 dish consists of smoked haddock, potato and cream, and Alastair says he enjoys it with “a beer from the Skye brewery”.
He added: “My favourite thing to do on Skye is get out in the mountains.
“On Skye the mountains – dark and rocky and brooding – are never far from you.
“The small winding roads and little villages enhance the landscape rather than hinder it and offer a thousand different views of the ocean.”
Alastair, who has published nine books, is also a keen photographer and videographer and gives motivational speeches at businesses and schools.
In 2011 he coined the term ‘microadventure’ – an overnight outdoor adventure that is “small and achievable” – which has since gained him a global following.
He now lives in a village outside London with his wife and two young children.
