The Isle of Skye in Scotland is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque villages and dramatic coastline. Named from the old Norse sky-a, meaning cloud island, a reference to the often mist covered Cuillin Hills. It is a popular destination in Scotland due to its dramatic scenery and outdoor activities. Here we help you plan a perfect trip to this Inner Hebridean island, with our complete guide to the Isle of Skye.
GUIDE TO THE ISLE OF SKYE
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE ISLE OF SKYE
Most people visit the Scottish Highlands between May and September. Avoiding the peak months of July and August is sensible if you’re not tied to the school holidays. During these months accommodation and restaurants will be fully booked and there will be a lot of cars on the roads.
April, May, June and September are good months to visit the Isle of Skye. The temperatures may be a little cooler, but there will be fewer visitors, and the weather is often dry at these times. We visited the Isle of Skye in April and most days were dry, although it was very cold. Clothing for all weathers is needed on the Isle of Skye!
It is possible to visit the Isle of Skye in winter but it will be cold and there is likely to be snow on higher ground.
GETTING TO THE ISLE OF SKYE
There are two main options for getting to the Isle of Skye.
- Across the Skye Bridge, a road bridge, which connects the Isle of Skye to the mainland. There is no fee to cross the bridge. It takes just under an hour to reach Portree from the connecting road bridge.
- By ferry from Mallaig (on the mainland) to Armadale. If you are travelling in the busier summer months it is recommended to book your ferry tickets in advance. The ferry is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. Ferries run all day and the journey takes 40 minutes. From Armadale it is about one hour and thirty minutes drive to Portree.
If flying into the United Kingdom to visit Skye, the closest airports are Glasgow, Inverness, and Edinburgh. Most people hire a car to drive to the Isle of Skye.
GETTING AROUND SKYE
A car is best for getting around the Isle of Skye. Another option would be to book a tour.
BEST THINGS TO DO ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
Old Man of Storr The Storr is a rocky outcrop on the Trotternish Peninsula of the Isle of Skye.
Quiraing As part of the Trotternish ridge the Quiraing has been formed by a massive landslip which has created high cliffs, hidden plateaus and pinnacles of rock.
Neist Point A viewpoint on the most westerly point of Skye, complete with a lighthouse. A great place to watch the sun go down.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls A popular stopping point between Portree and Staffin, a spectacular falls over Kilt Rock, named as it resembles a kilt, with vertical basalt columns.
Fairy Pools A series of cascading waterfalls and beautifully clear pools on the River Brittle, at the foot of the Cuillin Hills.
Talisker Whisky Distillery The oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport with dramatic views of the Cuillin Hills.
Fairy Glen A delightful miniature landscape of grassy, cone-shaped hills, created by a landslip, a fascinating and otherworldly place to visit. Located on the Trotternish Peninsula.
Loch Coruisk An inland fresh-water loch, ringed by the Cuillin Hills, the most beautiful of locations.
Claigan Coral Beaches White sandy beaches on the Isle of Skye.
Rubha Nam Brathairaen (Brother’s Point) A beautiful peninsula with dramatic coastal scenery.
HIKING ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
If you want to get out amongst the spectacular scenery on the Isle of Skye hiking is the best way of doing just this. There are numerous hikes for all ages and abilities on Skye, taking in the stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes.
Fairy Pools An easy walk, suitable for everyone, along a series of beautiful, icy clear pools and cascading falls. Approximately 2.5 km. Allow about 1 hour for a visit here.
Quiraing A 7 km (4.5 miles) circuit through the Quiraing. This hike takes you up and over the pinnacles, for amazing views of this spectacular landscape. Allow approximately 2 hours for this hike. The path is rocky, and at times narrow, with some steep drops.
Old Man of Storr The circular hike around the Old Man is 7 km. This hike takes you right around the Old Man giving you amazing views of this spectacular landscape. Allow approximately 2 hours for this hike. The path is well made although steep in places.
Loch Coruisk The full circuit around the loch is 7 km and takes 3.5 to 4 hours. The path is rough and very boggy, with numerous river crossings.
Claigan Coral Beaches An easy walk, suitable for everyone, along a well trodden pathway to the white beaches. Total distance 4 km, which takes apart 1.5 hours.
Bla Bheinn A strenuous 8 km hike up an isolated peak in the Cuillin Hills.
The Skye Trail This seven day, long-distance hike, 128 km in distance, is gaining popularity among those wanting to challenge themselves against the spectacular mountain and coastal scenery of Skye.
READ: Top 6 Family Friendly Hikes on Skye
WHERE TO STAY ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
Most people choose to stay in either Portree, the largest town on the island, or Broadford, as we did. There is a mix of small hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering accommodation on the island. Here are some recommended places to stay:
BROADFORD
Moeraki This is where we stayed. A four bedroom house, right by the sea, in Broadford. We would very much recommend a stay here while on Skye.
Tigh Holm Cottages Two bedroom self catering cottages, located in Broadford.
PORTREE
Skeabost View Pods Situated in the countryside outside Portree these pods provide perfect accommodation for couples. All units have a kitchenette, heating, a private bathroom and a patio with river and mountain views.
If you are travelling in the busy summer months ensure you book accommodation several months ahead, as the island does get booked up!
WHERE TO EAT ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
Here are some of our favourite restaurants and cafes from our week on the Isle of Skye.
Red Skye Restaurant Located in the Old School House built in 1876 in Upper Breakish. We spent a lovely evening here as a birthday celebration for Flynn.
The Old School Restaurant Located just down the road from Dunvegan Castle in the village of Dunvegan, and specialising in local produce from Skye and Scotland.
Blue Shed Cafe Located on the road to Elgol from Broadford, this small cafe, is a wonderful place to stop for tea and cake or a freshly prepared lunch.
Sea Breezes A wonderful seafood restaurant overlooking the delightful harbour in Portree.
CafeSia Pizza restaurant in the village of Broadford. We recommend the chocolate pizza for dessert!
The Elgol Shop Don’t miss the Elgol Shop for great soup and cakes, after a boat ride out to Loch Coruisk.
The Three Chimney’s Restaurant A world-renowned Scottish restaurant with accommodation, situated in beautiful surroundings beside the sea. We didn’t eat here – maybe next time! The Three Chimney’s Restaurant is located in Colbost, between Neist Point and Dunvegan.
VISITING THE ISLE OF SKYE WITH KIDS
The Isle of Skye is a giant outdoor playground and suitable for children of all ages. They will love exploring the magical Fairy Glen in search of fairies, taking a boat ride to Loch Coruisk, playing on the white sandy beaches at Claigon and being outside in the dramatic scenery that is Skye. We had a wonderful week on Skye.
READ: Top 12 Things To Do on the Isle of Skye with Kids
HOW LONG TO SPEND ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
We would recommend spending at least three days on the Isle of Skye. It is possible to tour some of the best sites on Skye in one day, but that would be a very short time to spend on this beautiful island.
WEATHER ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
A lot is said about the Scottish weather! The weather is typically best between May and September, although whatever the time of year, it can be very changeable. Scotland is well known for it’s rain. April and May tend to be the driest months, although you can get rain at any time! From October onwards the weather can be unpredictable. There can be snow on the hills from the end of October onwards and it can be very cold.
During our April visit we had some lovely sunny days, although it was cold, but one day we had driving rain and hail, and on another day it was snowing!
FOR MORE ON SKYE:
Hiking the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye
Exploring the Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye
A Boat Trip to Loch Coruisk on Skye
Hiking the Old Man of Storr on Skye
Have you been to the Isle of Skye? What are your favourite things to do or places to see?
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31 Comments.
What an eipc guide to the Isle of Skye – we haven’t spent nearly enough time in Scotland
Thanks Karen. We were the same…but spent two weeks on a road trip there last easter. Will definitely return.
Wow, Wow, Wow – your photos are phenomenal. This was one of our plans for last summer but ended up going overseas instead. Need to sort a road trip to that area it is breathtaking. #MondayEscapes
Thank you Clare. That’s the only problem with the UK, the weather isn’t guaranteed!
Oh it looks wonderful! As always your pictures are wonderful and have sold me on the Isle of Skye for sure!
Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
Thanks Daisy. The Isle of Skye is certainly beautiful and worth visiting.
Wow! The Isle of Skye looks amazing. It’s definitively on my bucket list to travel around the British Islands. Pinned for reference!! #fearlessfamtrav
Skye is amazing and must be visited on any trip to the UK.
Brought back to this post again because of #fearlessfamtrav but it is such a good read and really inspiring me to head there. It has been on the list for as long as I can remember and your photos are stunning so need to put plan into action
What a gorgeous place! I hope to make it to Scotland one day. #fearlessfamtrav
Scotland is well worth a visit…and Skye is the jewel in the crown.
What a gorgeous looking and rugged landscape! It looks quite chilly! I haven’t been here but went to Edinburgh once in August and it was cool and rainy then. I guess it just comes with the territory! #fearlessfamtrav
We were there in April and we had all seasons over the week we spent on Skye! Glorious sunshine, hail and wind, snow and pouring rain!
It does look lovely. If we still lived in the UK we’d certainly visit. But Brexit has put an end to that sadly.
It’s a beautiful place….and well worth a visit one day when you’re back in the UK.
The landscape looks so gorgeous! My husband is really wanting to visit Scotland so I’m saving this post for a (hopefully) future trip! #fearlessfamtrav
You should definitely visit. It’s a beautiful part of the world.
This such a useful post – everything you need to know for the Isle of Skye! And I love that you’ve included walks and their distances. We’ve only ever popped to the Isle of Skye for a day. But reading this makes me want to stay longer next time! #fearlessfamtrav
You should definitely stay longer next time! You know me and my hiking, can’t beat getting out in nature…
Wow. I can honestly say I knew nothing about the Isle of Skye before reading this post. This looks like it would be a great place to spend a couple days if in that part of the world! #fearlessfamtrav
Skye is so beautiful and well worth visiting.
Oh this brings back some lovely memories of a pre-kids trip to the Isle of Skye. It’s somewhere I’d love to revisit and visit a lot more of Scotland and the Highlands. #fearlessfamtrav
It’s a beautiful part of the UK. You could re-live your pre-kids trip!
Damn it looks beautiful – that fairy’s glen’s so cute! Scotland’s suddenly started taking my fancy in recent years, and this place looks just so beautiful! #fearlessfamtrav
Scotland is stunning in the right weather!
Ahhh I love the Isle of Skye! We went when our daughter was 18 months and visited lots of places on your guide. Would love to return & see some of your other recommendations!
It’s so beautiful isn’t it? What was your favourite place to explore on Skye?
My one regret during our time in the UK is that we never visited Scotland. I’d love to go but especially to the Isle of Skye. It sounds wonderful! #fearlessfamtrav
There’s always time Cath. And you should visit, it’s beautiful, in the right weather of course! You’d be able to compare it to Ireland.
Ooh – I love Talisker! I’ve always fancied the Isle of Skye. The scenery just looks so otherworldly. And ‘Cloud Island’ – how romantic is that??
You should definitely go Nell, it’s simply stunning. The name is perfect.