Visiting the Isle of Skye was the main draw when we chose to travel to Scotland. Although we loved the time we spent elsewhere in the country, there was something special and magical about being in Skye, an island filled with dramatic and otherworldly landscapes where sheep outnumber humans. Here you’ll find stunning castles, fantastic hiking opportunities, a delightful whisky distillery, jaw-dropping coastlines, and lots of sheep. Though Skye has increasingly grown in popularity over the years, you can still find several serene spots to be alone with your thoughts while surrounded by blissfully beautiful scenery. Below we present our guide on the Top Things to See and Do on the Isle of Skye, which includes dramatic landscape viewpoints, our favorite hiking trails and so much more.
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You might also be interested in these pages:
4-Day Roadtrip Isle of Skye Itinerary
Isle of Skye Travel Guide: Things to Know Before You Go
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye
Skye’s Best Hiking and Walking Trails
Skye Road Trip Driving Tips
Best Scenic Drives and Routes Through the Scottish Highlands
About The Isle of Skye
Skye is the second-largest island in Scotland after Lewis and Harris and is the largest of the Inner Hebrides. Despite its size, it has a modest population of just over 10,000 people, most of whom live in either Portree (Skye’s largest town and main tourist hub) or Broadford. Sheep actually outnumber people 10 to 1 on Skye.
The Isle of Skye comprises several peninsulas that radiate from a mountainous hub known as the Cuillin range, which can be further divided into the Black Cuillin to the west and the Red Cuillin to the east. The Black Cuillin are particularly dramatic looking and include 12 Munros (peaks above 3,000 feet) and provide avid hikers with some of the most challenging mountain terrain that Scotland has to offer.
Skye’s most famous peninsula is the Trotternish peninsula to the northeast – this is where you’ll find the most popular hiking scenery on the Isle such as the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, in addition to Skye’s largest town, Portree, which lies at the base of the peninsula along the eastern coast.
Skye also has a rich history dating back to the Jurassic (Dinosaur Fossils can be seen on Skye). In the last few centuries, Skye has seen its fair share of Clan Wars, particularly between the two most powerful clans on the Isle of Skye: Clan MacLeod and Clan Macdonald. The MacDonalds of Sleat were based in southeastern Skye (after having moved around a lot all over Skye), whereas the MacLeods were based in Dunvegan Castle in northwestern Skye. Dunvegan (more on the castle below) is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.
The clan system ended in the 18th century after the Jacobite Risings. This was soon followed by the Highland Clearances, where a significant number of tenants in the Scottish Highlands and Islands were evicted and many communities were replaced with sheep farms.
Orientation – How to Get to the Isle of Skye
By Car
Getting to Skye will require a fair bit of driving. Assuming that you will arrive in Scotland by plane to either Edinburgh or Glasgow, you are looking at a 5h30 drive from Edinburgh or a 5-hour drive from Glasgow to reach Portree, Skye’s largest city and main hub. These times are only valid if use the Skybridge from the east – if you prefer to take the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale in southern Skye, you are looking at approximately an additional 45 min to complete the journey. Before 1995, when the Skyebrige was completed, the only way to get to Skye was by ferry.
If coming from Inverness, you’re looking at a much shorter drive, about 2h30 to get to Portree.
For advice and tips on how to drive in Scotland, check out our Scotland Roadtrip Driving Guide. For advice and tips that are more specific to Skye with a focus on single-track roads, check out our Isle of Skye Road Trip Driving Guide.
If you haven’t booked your rental vehicle yet, we highly recommend using Discover Cars to get the best rates on your rental in Scotland.
By Public Transport
You can reach Portree by bus from either Glasgow (Citylink Bus 914/915, with stops in Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Fort William, runs twice daily, 7hrs) or Inverness (Citylink Bus 916/917, with several stops along Loch Ness, runs twice daily, 3h30hrs).
By Tour
If you don’t have your own vehicle, joining an organized tour might be the best way to see what the Isle of Skye has to offer.
Top Things to See and Do on Skye
Loop the Trotternish Peninsula
This is one of Skye’s most epic drives that pacts several attractions into one. It’s definitely a must-do activity on Skye if you have a few days on the island. At its shortest, it’s a half-day roadtrip but it can easily turn into a full-day trip depending on how many hiking trails you want to do along the way. If you are not interested in hiking, there are plenty of waterfalls and beautiful viewpoints worthy of a stop along the way. In particular, even if you don’t plan on hiking the Quiraing or the Old Man of Storr trails, the views around the trailhead parking lots more than justify a stop here.
For more information on all the sites and attractions along this drive check out our Trotternish Loop Travel Guide.
Go Hiking in the Dramatic Landscapes of the Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr, a towering pinnacle and an iconic landmark of the Isle of Skye, is where you can experience one of Scotland’s most spectacular hiking trails. Although you have probably seen many pictures of the area before, there is definitely something special about seeing it with your own two eyes. Most people can complete this out-and-back hike in under two hours.
For more information on hiking this trail check out our Old Man of Storr Hiking Guide.
Go Hiking in the Otherworldly Landscapes the Quirang
When most people think of the Isle of Skye, they are probably thinking of dramatic and stunning landscapes such as those of the Quiraing. Formed by a massive landslide, the Quiraing area is without a doubt one of Skye’s most spectacular landscapes scenery and one of the best places to go for a hike or a short walk. The full circuit is a more challenging hike than the Old Man of Storr, requiring on average about 3 hours to complete. The beautiful scenery can however be fully admired from viewpoints close to the parking lot (hiking not required).
For more information on this superb hiking trail, check out our Quirang Hiking Guide.
Talk a Walk to the Magical Fairy Pools
The Isle of Skye is not lacking in beautiful landscapes and those found at the Fairy Pools will not disappoint. The setting will definitely feel magical and fairy-like with a beautiful series of waterfalls and water pools backdropped by the imposing and often cloud-wrapped Cuillin mountains. You can visit all the waterfalls via a short walk of about an hour (though add more time to enjoy the scenery) along a beautiful well-maintained trail.
For more information on the Fairy Pools and the walking trail check out our Fairy Pools Guide.
Visit and Tour the Talisker Distillery
You can’t come to Skye and not visit its oldest working Whisky Distillery. Even if you are not a Whisky aficionado, the experience and the beautiful setting on the banks of Loch Harport make it a worthwhile trip. It’s also easily combined with a visit to either the Talisker Bay walk (see below) or the Fairy Pools walk (see above).
For more information on what to expect when visiting the distillery, check out our Talisker Distillery Guide.
Drive out to Neist Point Lighthouse
Located near the westernmost tip of Skye, it’s a bit of a long drive along winding coastal roads to get here, but the views are oh-so worth it. You can also go for a short 2 km hike to visit the lighthouse up close (the interior is closed to the public, however).
To get the views seen in the pictures below, you only need to walk a few hundred meters from the parking lot. The landscape around the lighthouse is beautiful even if you view it from afar.
For more information on visiting the lighthouse, check out our Neist Point Lighthouse Guide.
Talk a Beautiful Coastal Walk to Talisker Bay
This is truly a hidden gem on Skye. Come here for a quiet walk between mountains, cows and sheep. At the end of the trail, you’ll find yourself on a beautiful beach sandwiched between dramatic sea stacks and a stunning coastal waterfall that drops straight into the sea. The full walk can completed in about an hour, and it’s on mostly flat terrain. You are also likely to be greeted by several cows and sheep.
For more info check out our Talisker Bay Hiking Guide.
Tour the Medieval Dunvegan Castle and its Gardens
The ancestral seat of the MacLeods on Skye is the isle’s most stunning castle, and it is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland: over 800 years and counting. It’s also the only castle in Skye where you can tour the interior and learn about the rich history of the Clan Macleod. The castle’s gardens are also quite spectacular and vast, you can easily get lost in them for an hour or more.
For more information on this impressive Castle, check out our Dunvegan Castle Visit Guide.
Drive down towards Eigol and Hike the Beautiful Camanusary Bay Trail
Camanusary Bay was one of our favourite hiking trails on Skye. Though the landscapes are not quite as dramatic as those found in the Trotternish Peninsula, the scenery along the trail was no less spectacular, with only a fraction of the crowds seen at Storr or the Quiraing.
For more information on hiking this trail, check out our Camanusary Bay Hiking Guide.
Visit Eilean Donan Castle
Though not technically on Skye, it is a must-visit for anyone visiting Skye via the Skybridge. It is without a doubt one of Scotland’s most photogenic Castles. Sitting beautifully at the intersection of three lochs, this castle was originally built to protect the region against Viking invasions several centuries ago, however, the version you see today was reconstructed as a family home in the early 20th century.
For more information on when and how to visit this stunning castle, check out our Eilean Castle Visiting Guide.
Visit Sligachan Bridge and Walk to the Waterfalls
An ideal stop roughly halfway between the Skybridge and Portree, Sligachan is where you’ll find Skye’s most beautiful stone bridge, backdropped by the stunning Black Cuillin mountains. A short walk from the bridge, you can find an idyllic waterfall in a beautiful natural surrounding. We highly recommend taking this short walk to truly immerse yourself in nature away from the busy road by the bridge.
For more info check out our Sligachan Bridge and Waterfall Guide.
Visit the Colorful Town of Portree
Portree, Skye’s colorful capital, is not just a welcoming gateway for discovering the rest of the Isle but is also a beautiful and quaint little town well deserving of some of your time. It’s also where you’ll find most of the eating and lodging options on Skye.
For more info check out our Portree Travel Guide.
Map of Top Things to See and Do on Skye
More Sites and Attractions on Skye
Find out about Skye’s Dinosaurs
Skye’s history stretches back to the age of the dinosaurs. Dinosaur footprints can be found on the shore at Staffin and there are more dinosaur fossils from Skye on display in the Dinosaur Museum near Staffin. When the tide is low, you can try to find some dinosaur footprints along the nearby An Corran Beach.
Visit the Former Home of the MacDonald Clan
In southeastern Skye, you can visit the Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum. Armadale Castle was once the seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat, part of the mighty Clan Donald. Now a ruin, it sits in a dramatic position overlooking the Sound of Sleat and is surrounded by 40 acres of magnificent woodland gardens. The Castle ruins, which are currently unstable so are fenced off for your safety, date from the early and mid-19th century. Adjoining the ruin is part of the original late 18th-century mansion house. The gardens around the castle have been maintained, and are now home to the Clan Donald Centre, which operates the Museum.
Take a Boat Trip to Loch Coruisk
From Elgol, you take a boat trip aboard the Bella Jane to Loch Coruisk, a freshwater loch dramatically positioned between the Cuillin mountains and the sea. The loch can only be reached by boat or via a long-distance hiking trail (you can make it to the loch by continuing beyond Camasunary Bay from the Camasunary Bay. There are multiple tour options available, depending on how long you want to spend at the loch. The standard option is the 3-hour trip, which includes 1h30 to explore Loch Coruisk. You can also only book one way, and hike the return. The boats operate during the summer period from April to October.
Skye Museum of Life
Less of an outdoorsy adventure, the museum is a great place to go if you want to learn more about the history of the Isle of Skye and its people. More information can be found on the museum’s website.
Duntulm Castle
The crumbling ruins of a castle, abandoned since the 1730s, are perched here atop a cliff near the northern tip of the Trotternish peninsula. Built in the 15th century, it served as the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacDonald of Sleat. Note that there isn’t much left of the original castle, a 400-meter walk is required from the road to get there, and there is no dedicated car park.
Visit the Isle of Raasay
From the small settlement of Sconser, roughly halfway between Portree and Broadford, you can board a ferry to Raasay. The ferry ride is a short 15-minute journey aboard the MV Hallaig, a large 23-car ferry. You cannot book the ferry in advance and it’s advisable to be there at least 10 minutes before the ferry sails. All tickets can be purchased on board the vessel. You can visit here to see the ferry timetables. There are no big tourist attractions on the island, but the island offers several scenic walks, outdoor activities, and historical ruins to visit. There’s also a whisky distillery (since 2017) on the island.
You can also drive on one of Scotland’s most famous roads: Calum’s Road. It is named after one of the locals, Calum MacLeod, who spent 10 years (from 1964 to 1974) building a spectacular section of road because no one else would. After years of lobbying for a road to be built to the isolated village of Arnish in Northern Raasay, he taught himself the science of road-building and almost singlehandedly constructed the nearly 3km stretch of road we now know today.
Go Sea Kayaking
Explore Skye’s southern coast with South Skye Sea Kayak, who offer Kayaking Trips and Tours in small groups throughout the South of Skye and Lochalsh. They offer half-day and full-day tours, all of which depart from Kilmore, Sleat. Private lessons are also available.
Visit Coral Beach
Located a 15-minute drive, and a subsequent easy 25-minute walk, north of Dunvegan Castle, Coral Beach is reminiscent of those found in warmer climates Despite its name, the beach is not actually made of coral but of fossilized and sun-bleached algae giving it its bright white appearance. The drive from the castle follows a single-track road until you reach a gravel car park. To reach the beach from there, follow the obvious path through farmland.
How Long to Stay on Skye
To get a proper sense of everything Skye has to offer, we think you should try to stay anywhere between 3 and 5 days. If you can only afford two days or less, that’s fine too. You’ll have time to see a few popular highlights and perhaps a few under-the-radar spots.
But with more time, you will get to visit several of the smaller lesser-known villages, hike some more scenic trails, go waterfall chasing, and explore the different corners of Skye, each more enchanting than the other.
In our Skye Itinerary Guide, we outline different itinerary suggestions for stays of 1 up to 4 days.
Best Time to Visit Skye
Technically Sky can be visited year-round, but off-season daylight hours will be very short, rain is more likely, and several accommodation options will be closed. It’s not uncommon to see snow on the Isle of Skye but most of it falls in the hills and mountains rather than the lowlands. Roads can however still get icy all over the island.
We generally recommend shoulder season for most destinations. For Skye, the same logic applies, but for even more reasons than most. As with most destinations, there are fewer tourists during shoulder season, minimizing the chance of reaching your attraction of interest only to find the parking lot full, or that you will be annoyed by how many people you have to share the hiking trails with. You will also probably have a better choice of accommodation options, with lower daily rates daily rates.
In our view, the best months to visit Skye are May, June & September. In addition to the reasons listed above, the weather is almost as warm as it is mid-summer without being too rainy and, perhaps most importantly, you are less likely to have to deal with the notorious highland midges, Scotland’s version of the mosquito, which can become quite bothersome during the summer as their numbers peak during July and August. They aren’t too bad if it’s sunny or windy, but on calm overcast days, they can come out in numbers. October can be a good month to visit with some nice autumn colors, but the days are getting shorter quickly, reducing the amount of time for outdoor activities.
The best months for aurora sightseeing are March, September and October around the equinoxes. You’ll never see them in June or July as the nights are too light. But there’s no guarantee, although we visited Skye in September, we didn’t get lucky with clear night skies.
Where to Stay on Skye
We cover in greater detail where to stay on Skye in our Where to Stay on Skye guide, but the short of it is that we recommend staying either in or near Portree, Skye’s main town. The main reason for this is that Portree is fairly centrally located on the Isle, making it easier to reach the different attractions without having to change accommodations during your stay. We specifically chose to stay in Bernisdale, a small township just outside of Portree (about a 10-minute). It was enough to Portree for shopping, restaurants, and groceries, but far enough to find ourselves surrounded by lochs, mountains and sheep. For a more upscale option nearby, check out the Skeabost House Hotel, which has its own highly-rated restaurant on-site.
If you would prefer moving around Skye and changing your home base a few times, that’s also an option to experience different areas of Skye for longer periods. It does, however, come with the drawback of more frequent packing/unpacking and lost time due to check-in/check-out processes.
Book ahead (months in advance, if possible)
There aren’t many (if any) large hotels on Skye, meaning vacation rentals and accommodation options can fill up pretty quickly. We recommend booking your stay at least a few months in advance, and even earlier if you plan on visiting during the busier summer months. The earlier you do, the more options you’ll have at reasonable prices.
Where to Eat on Skye
You’ll find good and fun eating options all around Skye. A greater concentration of restaurants are found in Portree:
Dulse and Brose – Refined but unpretentious, it serves delicious modern takes on traditional Scottish cuisine. Our favourite restaurant in Portree. (4.4 Google Maps rating, 2023)
Restaurant Rosedale – Warm, laid-back pick with harbour views offering seafood dishes & Scottish tapas. We had a great time with delicious food at Rosedale’s. (4.4 Google Maps rating, 2023)
Cafe Arriba – Fun and welcoming space that offers great dishes for breakfast or lunch. (4.5 Google Maps rating, 2023)
The Lower Deck Seafood Restaurant – Great food right by along the harbour – the only drawback is the waiting line that can occur as reservations are not possible here, so arrive early. (4.2 Google Maps rating, 2023)
Scorrybreac Restaurant – If you want to splurge on a fine dining experience in Portree, this is the place to go. (4.6 Google Maps rating, 2023)
Near the Talisker Distillery, there are a few fun options nearby in Carbost:
Caora Dhubh Coffee Company – a small coffee shop right across the street from the distillery with delicious sandwiches and pastries. Though there is no indoor seating, there are several lakeside picnic tables to enjoy the food with a view.
The Oyster Shed – Here you can enjoy delicious fresh seafood in a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
Near Uig, along the western shore of the Trotternish Peninsula, the Galley Cafe & Takeaway offers delicious hearty dishes and seafood plates for a quick lunch stop when looping around the peninsula (or after a good hike at the Quiraing or a nice stroll through the Fairy Glen).
If you are also interested in splurging once (or more) on a delicious meal, Skye’s most famous restaurants are in Western Skye (either between Portree and Dunvegan or between Dunvegan and the Neist Point Lighthouse): Loch Bay (has a Michelin star), Three Chimneys (previously held a Michelin star), and Edinbane Lodge.
Preparing a trip to the Highlands?
You might be interested in these pages:
4-Day Roadtrip Isle of Skye Itinerary
Isle of Skye Travel Guide: Things to Know Before You Go
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye
Skye’s Best Hiking and Walking Trails
Skye Road Trip Driving Tips
Preparing a trip to Scotland?
You might be interested in these Scotland pages:
10-Day Scotland Roadtrip Itinerary (Edinburgh and Highlands)
Scotland Driving Guide and Tips
7 of the Best Castles to Visit in Scotland
Best Things to See in the Scottish Highlands
Best Hikes to do in the Scottish Highlands
We also highly recommend these guidebooks:
Rick Steves Scotland
Lonely Planet Scotland’s Highlands
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing is a travel insurance company that offers comprehensive coverage for travellers. Includes Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance. Primarily geared towards long-term travellers, digital nomads, and expats.
e-Sim cards
Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. With Airalo eSIMs, travellers can get connected the moment they land at their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges
eSIMS are a sustainable alternative to single-use SIM cards – they are 100% digital, require less energy to produce and be re-used rather than disposed of.
Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Top Things to See and Do on Skye guide and that it will prove useful for planning your trip to Scotland’s beautiful Isle of Skye.
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