Planning a trip to the Isle of Skye? This Isle of Skye travel guide covers everything you need to know, the best places to visit, where to stay, how long to spend, when to visit, and essential travel tips for exploring Scotland’s most dramatic island.
With its towering sea cliffs, winding single-track roads, misty mountain ridges, and fairy-tale landscapes, the Isle of Skye is one of the most unforgettable destinations in Scotland. Whether you want to hike to the Old Man of Storr, explore the Quiraing, chase waterfalls, or simply take in the views along the Trotternish Peninsula, this guide will help you plan your visit with confidence.
We visited the Isle of Skye as part of our Scotland road trip, hiking its most iconic trails, staying in Portree during peak season, and navigating the island’s ever-changing weather. In this guide, we share what we learned, including practical tips we wish we knew in advance, so you can avoid common mistakes and make the most of your time on Skye.
The Essentials
WHERE | Scottish Highlands
HOW MUCH TIME | 2 to 3 days
BEST TIME TO VISIT | May through September
CAR NEEDED? | Yes, highly recommended for flexibility
BEST BASE | Portree
TOP EXPERIENCES | Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Fairy Pools, Neist Point, Dunvegan Castle
BEST FOR | Hikers, photographers, scenic road trippers, families with older kids
Why Visit the Isle of Skye?
The Isle of Skye is Scotland at its most dramatic. Think jagged rock pinnacles rising above rolling green hills, sea cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, mist drifting across mountain ridges, and waterfalls that spill straight into the ocean.
What makes Skye special isn’t just one landmark, it’s the concentration of scenery. In just one day, you can hike to the Old Man of Storr, drive through the Quiraing, explore fairy-tale landscapes at the Fairy Glen, and watch the sunset at Neist Point. Few places in Scotland offer this much variety in such a compact area.
The Fairy Glen
When is the Best Time 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.
The Isle of Skye gets a lot of rain. The wettest months are September through January (December is the rainiest month). March through June it is relatively dry.
The warmest months are May through September, with average highs about 14°C (high 50’s), cooler at night.
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.
Our visit was in late July. We experienced higher rainfall than average. It rained all three days we were here, which had a big impact on how far we could hike some trails (we had to turn around on two trails when the peaks clouded in).
June looks to be the sweet spot: relatively dry weather, warm temperatures, and slightly lower crowds than July and August.
You can visit the Isle of Skye during the winter. Yes, it may be cold, but you could have some of the best sites all to yourself.
The graphs below depict the average monthly temperatures and precipitation in the Isle of Skye, which will help you plan your visit.
How Long Should You Spend on the Isle of Skye?
Ideally, two days or more is necessary to visit the Isle of Skye.
With only one day, you have just enough time to visit the highlights. Two days gives you enough time to see the best sights, and with three days or more, you have plenty of time to explore all of the island.
In our Isle of Skye Itinerary, we give suggestions on how to spend 1, 2 and 3 days on the Isle of Skye.
Neist Point
Map of the Isle of Skye
Below is a map highlighting the top places to visit on the Isle of Skye. It also shows the driving routes for day 1 and day 2 of our Isle of Skye Itinerary.
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.
To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Top Experiences on the Isle of Skye
Iconic Viewpoints & Landmarks
These are the Isle of Skye’s most photographed and recognizable landscapes. Even with limited time, try to visit at least two of these.
- Old Man of Storr
- Quiraing
- Neist Point
- Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
Easy Walks & Scenic Stops
Perfect if you want big scenery, a castle tour, or whisky tastings without long hikes.
- Fairy Pools
- Fairy Glen
- Dunvegan Castle
- Talisker Distillery
There are also quite a few amazing hikes to do, which we get to in the next section.
For a full breakdown of these attractions, plus photos, maps, and planning tips, read our complete guide to the Best Things to Do on the Isle of Skye ↓
Best Things to Do on the Isle of Skye
Top things to do on the Isle of Skye, with a map and lots of photos.
Fairy Glen
Our Favorite Hikes on the Isle of Skye
There are hiking trails for people of all ages and ability levels. Here is a list of some of the best trails on the island.
Fairy Pools. This short hike is really more of a walk. A relatively flat trail follows along the river, with views of the Fairy Pools. Good for all ages and fitness levels. Allow one to two hours for a visit here.
Fairy Glen. Another very easy hike. Just 1 mile in length, allow one hour for a leisurely walk through this very unique and quiet corner of the Isle of Skye.
Old Man of Storr. A little more strenuous but your reward is a view of one of the Isle of Skye’s most iconic spots. The entire hike is just under 3 miles. It’s a climb up to the Old Man of Storr with awesome views out over the island.
Old Man of Storr
Rubha nam Brathairean (Brother’s Point). For a relatively easy hike to one of the Isle of Skye’s little known spots, this was a highlight for us. The entire hike is just over 2 miles, a walk along the coastline with awesome views of the Brother’s Point peninsula and out to Kilt Rock.
Quiraing. Another Isle of Skye icon. This is a more challenging hike, 4.5 miles in length, along the cliffs of the Quiraing. Perfect for older, adventurous kids.
Bla Bheinn. For a hike offering 360° views of the Cuillins, this is a good one! 5 miles in length, allow about 6 hours for the hike.
Sgurr Alasdair. This is the highest peak on the Isle of Skye. This is a very challenging hike, 6 miles in length. Allow 5 to 6 hours.
The Trotternish Ridge. This is a 2 day hike covering 23 miles on the Isle of Skye. The starting and ending points are Portree and Flodigarry.
The Skye Trail. For experienced hikers only. This hike takes 7 days and is 128 km in length, traversing a huge portion of the Isle of Skye.
Walk Highlands is an excellent website with details for hiking trails not just on the Isle of Skye but throughout Scotland. Visit their website here.
Hiking to Brothers Point
Isle of Skye with Kids
We visited the Isle of Skye with our kids when they were 11 and 13, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our Scotland road trip.
Many of the island’s most iconic places require relatively short walks rather than full-day hikes. The Old Man of Storr is a steady uphill climb, but completely manageable for active kids. The Fairy Glen feels like something straight out of a storybook, and the Fairy Pools are more of a scenic walk than a strenuous hike. Even viewpoints like Neist Point deliver huge scenery without requiring technical hiking skills.
What worked especially well for us was the variety. In a single day, we could combine a short hike, a scenic coastal drive, a castle visit at Dunvegan, and sit down in a cozy restaurant for lunch or dinner. That mix kept our kids engaged without anyone feeling burned out.
If your kids enjoy hiking, exploring unusual landscapes, and feeling like they’re somewhere truly different, the Isle of Skye delivers. For adventurous tweens and teens, it’s a fantastic destination.
Kara at the Fairy Glen
Quiraing
How to Get to the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is located off the west coast of Scotland and is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge, making it easy to reach by car. Most visitors include Skye as part of a Scotland road trip, driving from Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness.
By Car (The Best Option)
Driving is by far the easiest and most flexible way to visit the Isle of Skye. Having your own car allows you to explore remote trailheads, scenic viewpoints, and single-track coastal roads at your own pace.
Here are driving times from nearby destinations:
Edinburgh: about 5 to 6 hours
Glasgow: about 5 hours
Inverness: about 2.5 hours
The drive itself is part of the experience, passing through Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands, some of the most scenic landscapes in the country.
We rented a car and explored Skye independently, which gave us the flexibility to adjust our plans around weather and crowds. In our experience, this is the best way to see the island.
👉 For detailed route options, including scenic ferry routes and driving tips, read our guide to Driving to the Isle of Skye.
By Train + Bus
There is no train station on the Isle of Skye. You can take a train to Kyle of Lochalsh (the mainland side of the Skye Bridge) and then transfer to a bus, but this requires careful timing and limits flexibility once you’re on the island.
By Guided Tour
If you prefer not to drive, multi-day guided tours depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. These tours handle transportation and accommodations but follow fixed itineraries.
Isle of Skye Coast, seen from Brothers Point
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye
Portree is the Isle of Skye’s largest town with a great mix of hotels and B&B establishments. Here are some recommended places in and around Portree.
Cuillin Hills Hotel. This high-end hotel is located just outside of Portree. It gets rave reviews, has an onsite restaurant, and offers views that look out over the bay. Rooms can accommodate two people.
Tor View. This bed and breakfast is located just a short drive north of Portree. Since you are not located in town, you get some wonderful views of the Isle of Skye from this property. In fact, many prior guests rave about the views from this hotel, but all around, it gets high marks.
Skeabost View Pods. Want to stay in your own chalet? Four “pods,” one-bedroom studio chalets, sit side by side in the countryside 5 miles northwest of Portree. These have a small kitchenette and private bathroom. Each patio comes with a small fire pit and supply of firewood.
Craigard Chalet. This one bedroom holiday home is located outside of Portree, on the Trotternish Loop. It gets near perfect reviews.
Skyelander Apartments. Take your pick from multiple apartments, some of which have four bedrooms, making them a great choice for families, in this small property located in Portree.
Trotternish B&B. Located 5 miles south of Uig, this bed and breakfast gets rave reviews for its setting, breakfast, and staff.
When to Make Your Reservation
This is very important!! Learn from our “mistake.” We booked our accommodations at the end of May for a visit to the Isle of Skye at the very end of July. Two months before our trip, accommodations on all of the Isle of Skye were 95% booked. I emailed every single one of the 100+ B&B’s on the island, as well as hotels and hostels. We got lucky, with one B&B that still had vacancies.
So, if you will be traveling to the Isle of Skye during the summer months, book your accommodations at least 3 months in advance. Six months would be even better.
Rubha nam Brathairean (Brothers Point)
Where to Eat on the Isle of Skye
Here are some of our favorite restaurants.
The Isles Inn Pub & Hotel. This lively pub serves good Scottish food. We liked this place because we could get a table without a reservation, one of the few in Portree.
The Old Inn. Located in Carbost (near the Talisker Distillery), this cozy pub serves excellent food, coffee, and hot chocolate. Even in the summer, it was nice to come here to warm up and dry off after our wet, rainy visit to the Fairy Pools.
The Three Chimneys Restaurant. Ok, we didn’t eat here. But we wanted to! This place gets excellent reviews and can only be visited with a reservation. If you are planning to watch the sunset at Neist Point, this is a great restaurant to visit afterwards. Three Chimneys is located in Colbost, between Neist Point and Dunvegan. They also are a 5-star accommodation.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: You need to make a reservation for most restaurants during peak season. Many places are completely booked between 6 and 9 pm.
Isle of Skye Travel Tips
Driving on the Isle of Skye. In the most remote areas, you will drive on single track roads. These one-lane roads are only wide enough for one car. There are frequent passing zones, areas of the road that have been widened for two cars to pass. At times, this may require that you put your car in reverse, backing into one of these spots, to let oncoming traffic pass.
Cellular Service. In recent years, mobile coverage on Skye has been upgraded, with new 4G masts installed and expanded service by major carriers, especially EE, across Portree, Broadford, and on several main roads.Expect a good signal on main roads but patchy or no cellular service in more remote areas and on hiking trails.
Midges. What’s a midge? A midge is tiny, mosquito-like insect. They bite, just like a mosquito does. Midges tend to swarm your face, getting in your hair and even down into your clothing. They are annoying but not harmful. Lather on the bug repellent, look silly and wear mosquito netting around your head, or be prepared to shoo them away from your face. Midges are worse near streams and lakes. They are out in full force from May to September.
If it is raining. We spent three days on the Isle of Skye and it rained everyday. When it rains, it usually does not last long. Wait out the rain in your car and when it stops, go on your hike and check out the view. The rain tends to wash the other visitors away, giving you some tranquility, as long as you are patient enough to wait out the passing shower. Just make sure you have a good rain jacket, waterproof shoes, and an umbrella.
Planning a Bigger Trip to Scotland? In our 10 day Scotland Itinerary, visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands, and spend several days on the Isle of Skye.
Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock
Frequently Asked Questions About the Isle of Skye
Is the Isle of Skye worth visiting?
Yes, the Isle of Skye is one of the most scenic destinations in Scotland, known for dramatic cliffs, unique rock formations, waterfalls, and rugged mountain landscapes.
How many days do you need on the Isle of Skye?
Two to three days is ideal. One day lets you see highlights, but two or three days allows time for hiking and exploring beyond the main viewpoints.
Do you need a car on the Isle of Skye?
Yes. While buses and tours are available, renting a car gives you the most flexibility to explore remote areas and hiking trailheads.
Where is the best place to stay on the Isle of Skye?
Portree is the most convenient base for first-time visitors.
Do you have any questions about this Isle of Skye guide? Let us know in the comments below.
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