The Isle of Skye is one of the best places to visit in Scotland. If you want to see some truly spectacular scenery, then you must come here. We were amazed at the beauty of this island. In this post, we cover the best things to do in the Isle of Skye with tips to have the best experience.
Best Things to Do on the Isle of Skye
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1. Old Man of Storr
One of the most photographed landscapes on the Isle of Skye, the Old Man of Storr should be at the top of your list. Easily accessible from the town of Portree, it takes a wee bit of hiking to get up to the best viewpoints, but it is absolutely worth it.
Old Man of Storr
2. Rubha nam Brathairean (Brother’s Point)
Brother’s Point is the Isle of Skye’s hidden treasure. It is a short hike to some of the most stunning scenery on the Isle of Skye. Very few people visit this place, making it a much better experience for those “in the know.”
How to Visit Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye
Everything you need to know to visit Brother’s Point.
Brother’s Point
3. Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Located just a few kilometers away from Brother’s Point is Kilt Rock. Simply park in the car park on A855 and walk out to the viewpoint. In one direction you will see Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. Look south and off in the distance is Brother’s Point. For epic views of the Isle of Skye with very little hiking, this quick stop is worth it.
Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
Isle of Skye coastline
4. Quiraing
The Quiraing is one of the Isle of Skye’s most photographed landscapes. You can get a great view of the Quiraing right from the car park but for those who want to go a little farther, there is a terrific 4.5 mile hike that will give you even better views.
The Quiraing | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye
5. Dunvegan Castle
Tour the only castle on the Isle of Skye. We just missed Dunvegan Castle, arriving five minutes past closing time. If you enjoy touring castles, from the little bit we saw, this looks like a good one!
For more information, visit the Dunvegan Castle website.
Dunvegan Castle | photo credit: Nataliya Hora
6. Neist Point
Located near Dunvegan, this is another very popular site on the Isle of Skye. Many people come here at the end of the day to watch the sunset.
Expect large crowds of people and an overflowing car park, especially during the busy summer months. Yes, it is worth seeing, but the crowds of people take away from some of the enjoyment. If you are short on time, Brother’s Point is a similar but much better experience.
Neist Point | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye
7. Fairy Glen
Located on the Trotternish Loop, this is another spot that gets overlooked by many visitors. It’s small, quick to visit, and very easy to hike. If there is any place that you could possibly spot a fairy on the Isle of Skye, this is the one.
Fairy Glen: The Cutest Place to Explore on the Isle of Skye
Exactly how to visit the Fairy Glen.
Fairy Glen
8. Talisker Distillery
Talisker Distillery is the only whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye. Take a tour, taste some whisky, and bring some home as a souvenir.
Talisker Distillery
9. The Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are another very popular destination on the Isle of Skye. It’s an easy walk along a series of waterfalls, making it perfect for people of all ages and activity levels.
If you are short on time, skip the Fairy Pools and visit the Fairy Glen instead.
The Fairy Pools
10. The Cuillins
The Cuillins are a rocky mountain range located on the southern portion of the Isle of Skye. You will see them from the road as you drive through the island. The Cuillins loom over the Fairy Pools, making this one of the easiest ways to get up close to them. For those who are more adventurous, some of the best hikes are through these mountains. Hike up Bla Bheinn (Blaven) or Sgurr na Stri for stunning 360° views, or climb Sgurr Alasdair, the highest peak on the Isle of Skye.
11. Elgol
Elgol is located on the southwestern coast of Isle of Skye. It’s another place that very few visitors seem to get to. In fact, we ran out of time and missed it! The coastal views are amazing. If you have the time, day trips from Elgol to Loch Coruisk sound amazing, with stunning scenery and chances to spot wildlife. This will be at the top of our list when we return to the Isle of Skye (someday).
Elgol/photo credit: essevu/shutterstock.com
12. Spot a Highland Cow
And finally, see if you can spot a Highland cow. We just loved these guys!
Spot a Highland Cow
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need on the Isle of Skye?
Ideally, plan on spending at least two days on the Isle of Skye. Two days gives you just enough time to visit the main highlights. More time is better, to explore the more off the beaten locations, go hiking, try a few restaurants, relax in a nice bed and breakfast, or have some contingency time should you have a rainy day (which is very possible in Scotland). Learn how to plan your time with our Isle of Skye itinerary.
Is the Isle of Skye worth it?
The Isle of Skye was our favorite part of our trip to Scotland. We loved the landscapes, the hiking, the small towns and restaurants, and the incredible views. If you are planning a visit to Scotland, we recommend spending two to three days on the Isle of Skye. It just might be the highlight of your trip.
What is the best month to visit the Isle of Skye?
The weather is the best between May and September. However, the summer months, in particular July and August, are peak season. B&B’s will be sold out months in advance for these months, car parks will be overflowing, and restaurants book up early. June is a good month to go because the Isle of Skye is usually not packed with visitors yet.
April and May are the driest months. If you don’t mind it being chilly, these are great months to go to the Isle of Skye as well (especially if you want to visit when visitation is lower).
More Information for Your Trip to the Isle of Skye
Learn how to put all of this together in our Isle of Skye itinerary, with recommendations on how to spend 1, 2, or 3 or more days on the Isle of Skye.
Check out our Isle of Skye Travel Guide, which has lots of information to help you plan your trip, including where to eat, where to stay, and how to plan your time.
If your visit to the Isle of Skye is part of a bigger trip to Scotland, don’t miss our 10 Day Scotland Itinerary, which also includes Edinburgh, Glasgow, and two different scenic routes for driving to and from the Isle of Skye.
Tour Options for the Isle of Skye
If you only have one day on the Isle of Skye and are not planning on renting a car, here are several highly rated tours from Inverness.
Tours of the Isle of Skye
If you have any questions about the best things to do in the Isle of Skye, let us know in the comment section below.
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