Julie Scotland 44 Comments

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

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

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 | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

Old Man of Storr | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

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.”

Brother's Point Isle of Skye | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

Brother’s Point | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

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 | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

 

Isle of Skye Coast

Isle of Skye coastline | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

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.

Quiraing Hike | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

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

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 Isle of Skye | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

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

Fairy Glen drone Isle of Skye | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

Fairy Glen | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

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 | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

Talisker Distillery | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

9. The Fairy Pools

This is 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.

Fairy Pools | Best things to do on the Isle of Skye

The Fairy Pools | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

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.

Bla Bheinn | Best things to do in 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

Elgol/photo credit: essevu/shutterstock.com | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

Scotland Travel Guide

12. Spot a Highland Cow

And finally, see if you can spot a Highland cow. We just loved these guys!

Highland cow | Best things to do in the Isle of Skye

Spot a Highland Cow | Best Things to Do in the Isle of Skye

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.

 


If you have any questions about the best things to do in the Isle of Skye, let us know in the comment section below.

Planning a trip to Scotland? Read all of our articles in our Scotland Travel Guide.

More Information for Your Trip to Europe

IRELAND & NORTHERN IRELAND: For a list of top experiences in Ireland and Northern Ireland, read our post Best Things to Do in Ireland. Walk the Cliffs of Moher, drive the Ring of Kerry, visit Dublin, and explore the Dingle Peninsula. Learn how to put all of this together in our 10 Day Ireland Itinerary.

PLACES TO GO IN NORWAY: For a list of top experiences in Norway, don’t miss our Norway Bucket List. If you are a hiker, we also have a hiking guide with 14 epic day hikes to do in Norway.

ICELAND ITINERARIES: There are several ways to put together a trip to Iceland. If you have 10 days, here are four different ways to spend your time in Iceland. We also have a detailed 10 day itinerary that includes the highlights of Iceland, perfect if it is your first visit.

EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Get more travel ideas in our article 10 Days in Europe itinerary, which has 10 itineraries for your next trip to Europe. If you have less time, we also have an article that lists 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe.

 

Best things to do on the Isle of Skye Scotland

Isle of Skye Scotland Things to Do

 

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Comments 44

  1. Avatar for Fellow Traveler
    Fellow Traveler

    Excellents page! I used it for planning our trip to Skye next month. I would love to see Neist Point side, but don’t have time to get back to the cruise ship.

  2. Avatar for Pricilla Wood
    Pricilla Wood

    Loved, loved, loved your itinerary and details about visiting both Edinburgh Castle and the Isle of Skye. We just finished going around the Trotternish loop today and followed your itinerary. We picked up sandwiches, got an early start and started with the Fairy Glen and ended with Old Man Storr. We lucked out with no rain today and enjoyed all of the hikes, especially Quiraing. Pictures do not do this beautiful isle justice. All of the road directions and tips made such a difference to our trip. Thank you!!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
  3. Avatar for Kevin
    Kevin

    Wow, this place looks really amazing! I have been trying to convince my wife to go to Ireland (she has already been but I am dying to go) so including Scotland in the trip could be a real selling point. She loves to hike and these views are just incredible. Thanks for the great idea!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      1. Avatar for Julia
        Julia

        Only missed a few of these lovely recommendations! Loved loved loved Skye and my first Haggis? Spelling?
        2019 trip 3wks in Scotland trip helped me through the shut downs with all the good pics and memories! Cheers Scotland!💙💙💙

        1. Avatar for Julie Post
          Author
          Julie

          3 weeks in Scotland sounds amazing! I’m glad you got there before COVID. Happy travels to your next destination! Cheers, Julie

  4. Avatar for BK
    BK

    Love your website. Thanks for all the info. My husband and I travelling to Scotland for the first time in last week of Oct. Very excited. We plan to spend a day in Isle of skye and drive the same day to Inverness. Do you recommend another day stay at Isle of Skye? The previous day we planned to drive from Glencoe and drive using the ferry to reach Isle of skye – by late evening.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      I’m glad you like our site! 🙂 If you have time in your schedule, another day in the Isle of Skye would be great. With two days, if you move fast and the weather cooperates, you can explore most of the island. Check out our Isle of Skye itinerary for recommendations on how to plan your time. Cheers, Julie

      1. Avatar for BK
        BK

        Dear Julie,

        Thanks much. I have reviewed your itinerary for Isle of Skye, which prompted my question.
        Hopefully weather will cooperate 🙂 .

  5. Avatar for Danielle
    Danielle

    I’ve been pouring over your Scotland entries for weeks and weeks and it just dawned on me I should let you know! We are a family of 5 (3 boys ages 6, 9,11) and are spending about 3 weeks in Scotland doing our usual mode of travel, home exchange. We’ll be based out of Glasgow. I’ve booked a croft house on Skye for 4 days and am so eager to take it all in! Your posts are so perfect, thank you for all your suggestions and information. I really appreciate that you posted how far each place is from Portree and how long you should expect to spend there. Very helpful info and thank you so much!!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello Danielle. 3 weeks in Scotland sounds amazing!! We LOVE the Isle of Skye…it’s a magical place. Thanks for writing in to us, and have fun on your trip!! Cheers, Julie

  6. Avatar for Shiwali Pant
    Shiwali Pant

    Hi. We’re visiting isle of skye in may and we’ll be staying in portree. We dont have the option of self drive .

    Please suggest how should we travel around isle of skye?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      You can look into joining a tour. I don’t know much about getting around by public transportation since we had a rental car. Cheers, Julie

      1. Avatar for becca
        1. Avatar for Julie Post
          Author
          Julie

          I don’t recall any issues getting gas. It’s a small island so if you fill up in Portree, you can loop around the Isle of Skye on one tank, without running out of gas.

  7. Avatar for Greg Webber
    Greg Webber

    Hi Guys, emailing from Australia. Will be in UK for 7 weeks in July/August and have two nights on Skye and 2 nights on Mull. Actually only allows us a little over a full clear day on each isle. Enjoyed reading your articles. Very helpful. Will be taking raincoats and brollies for the trip. We don’t own raincoats/brollies in Australia….we have no need for them so a new experience awaits. Taking my drone, buying a Mavic 2 as quieter and with Zoom I am hoping to be able to use it for lots of good video/photos. 3 years ago we were in Britain with my older Phantom 3 Pro and had so much difficulty flying it with all the restrictions around. Hoping the quieter Mavic with the zoom will go more un-noticed. We are getting older )71/68 so hope we are fit enough to undertake the walks you mention, especially “The Old man of Storr, The Quirang and The Fairy Pools. Also noticed we need a repellant for the midgies. Thanks again.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
  8. Avatar for Erica
    Erica

    Thank you so much for this!! We are so excited to go at the end of April. We will be there for 2 days, but with a 4 month old, so this is so helpful. Our hiking will be limited, but it sounds like not all is lost with some easy trails. The first day sounds amazing. We have not decided about the castle yet. The hike at the lighthouse…will that be too hard?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      For the hike at the lighthouse, you can either just hike to viewpoint across the peninsula (like you see in the photo and this is super fast and easy…just a 10 minute walk from the parking lot) or hike all of the way out to the lighthouse (longer and more difficult). I think just getting to the viewpoint will be good enough. The Isle of Skye is filled with short, fast, easy hiking trails perfect for visiting with your 4 month old. And don’t feel bad about skipping the castle if you would rather hike and see the scenery. Cheers, Julie

  9. Avatar for Kenny K
    Kenny K

    Great post! We are traveling to Skye in mid November. Would you recommend a guided tour or self drive? Do you believe there will be any other restrictions due to it being November?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      If you feel comfortable driving on narrow roads, I would do it as self-drive. Then you can see things at your own pace. I don’t believe there will be any restrictions. I don’t think snow will be an issue (to close the roads). It will be chilly but it also shouldn’t be very crowded, which will be nice. Have fun! Cheers, Julie

  10. Avatar for Jason Mize
    Jason Mize

    Love your site!!! I’m heading to Skye this weekend and super excited after coming across your Skye post! Are there any Drone flying restrictions in Scotland? Also, can you tell me where you found your interactive map? I’m a wedding photographer, and I’ve been looking for one, but I’ve only found one thru simple maps. Thanks for your help!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      When we visited Scotland, we could not fly our drone around castles, plus all of the typical drone rules like don’t fly it over crowded places. This was two years so it’s a good idea to just double check the rules before you go. If you are referring to the map on our Destinations page, we use the plug-in called Interactive Maps. Have fun!! Cheers, Julie

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