It is one of life's paradoxes that although internet shopping has allowed more people to relocate to far flung destinations, local shops have reaped a benefit as a result of a population increase. The increase in the amount of disposable income in Skye and Lochalsh's towns and villages has encouraged many retailers to upgrade their services.

Although the area is still geographically and logistically fairly remote, it is better served than ever before, not only retaining its traditional shopping, but modernising all the time - supermarket late nights and Sunday opening are now part of the Skye experience. Long gone are the days where the unsuspecting visitor who failed to fill up with petrol on Saturday afternoon was stuck until Monday!

Visitors to the area can take a walk back through time, shopping in traditional butchers and greengrocers, being served in the time honoured manner, as well as selecting their own items and queing in the supermarket checkouts.

The smaller towns and villages still have the local store, not so much a shop as a meeting place where the issues of the day are debated. Many of them sell excellent local produce in addition to the essential items the visitor expects to find.

One of the characteristics of this area is that it is still served by a variety of regular vans, from the mobile bank to the fish van. One of the fish vans travels a long distance, bringing east coast cod to the island, supplementing the traditional west coast fare. Visitors and locals alike can place regular orders, a service missing in many major towns and cities in the UK.

Although much of the islands population buys online, particularly for specialist goods, the area has many interesting and unusual stores to browse, from DIY outlets to customised jewellery retailers. There are woodyards, computer services, garden centres and charity shops... you can even window shop for windows!

Whether you need to replenish the motor caravan fridge, pick up essentials from the chemist, or merely browse the craft shops in search of a souvenir of your holiday, Skye and Lochalsh offers the widest of choices, serving you in the style of your choice.