Julie Scotland 16 Comments

Brothers Point, also known as Rubha nam Brathairean, is a beautiful place to visit on the Isle of Skye. 

The views of the peninsula are stunning. And because very few people know about this gem, you just may have it all to yourself.

If you are traveling to the Isle of Skye, put Brothers Point at the top of your list! In this guide, we share with you everything you need to know to visit Brothers Point and have a great experience.

Isle of Skye hike

Our Experience

Before traveling to Scotland in summer 2016, we did some research on the best places to visit on the Isle of Skye. I learned about it on the Walk Highlands website (which is an awesome tool for discovering and planning out hikes in Scotland). So, I added Brothers Point to our list of places to visit on the Isle of Skye.

Honestly, we were not expecting much.

And then we were blown away.

Isle of Skye Scotland

It was a rainy day, not unusual for the Isle of Skye at the end of July. We had already visited several sites on the Trotternish loop. Most places were very crowded, which is also not unusual for the Isle of Skye at the end of July.

So when we walked out to the peninsula of Rubha nam Brathairean, we were shocked. Where are all of the people? This place is gorgeous. They have no idea what they are missing!

Scotland Photo

In fact, we saw a total of 6 people during the hour and a half we spent here. Four of them were just exiting the hiking trail as we started our walk, and then we passed two people when we were just minutes from returning to our car.

To have this beautiful spot on the Isle of Skye all to ourselves was an unforgettable and very lucky experience.

Kara Rivenbark

We want you to have the same experience. Here’s how to do it.

How to Visit Brothers Point (Rubha nam Brathairean)

Rubha nam Brathairean is located on the Trotternish Loop on the Isle of Skye. The car park is in Culnacnoc, 13 miles (25 minutes of driving) north of Portree. To get here, take A855 north from Portree. Just past the Glenview Hotel (which will be on your left), there is a car park on the left hand side of the road. It is a very small car park and can only hold a few cars.

To get to the trailhead, cross the street and walk south approximately 50 meters. The trail is a gravel and dirt driveway. Look for the sign pointing to Rubha nam Brathairean.

Hiking Stats

  • Distance:  3.6km (2.25 miles)
  • Time to visit: 1.5 – 2 hours
  • The hike is open all year round and it is free to park in the car park.
  • A good pair of walking or hiking shoes is necessary. Part of the hike takes you through a bog which may make your feet wet.

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

Culnacnoc

Car park on the side of A855

 

Rubha nam Braithrean parking

Brothers Point Start of Hike

Rubha nam Brathairean start

 

Follow the driveway to the end, pass through the gate, and then follow signs to the grass trail that leads down to the shoreline.

Brothers Point trail

Hiking to Rubha nam braithrean

Grass trail Brothers Point

 

The views open up, revealing the very beautiful coastline.

Isle of Skye with Kids

Isle of Skye Coast

Isle of Skye beach

 

The trail ends on a rocky beach. Walk along the beach. Out in the distance you will be able to see part of the peninsula.

Coastal hike Isle of Skye

Brothers Point Beach

 

Once you pass the warning sign, follow the faint trail across the grassy bog towards the peninsula.

Warning Brothers Point

Hiking with Kids Isle of Skye

 

The last section of the hike will take you along a dramatic cliff leading to the peninsula.

Hiking Rubha nam Brathairean Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye Hiking

 

From here, you can enjoy the views, or keep going.

Rubha nam Braithrean

 

You can also walk onto the peninsula, climbing up to the highest point. The trail is narrow and follows a very steep slope, so have care here, especially if it has been raining. The views from the top are stunning.

Hiking Trail Isle of Skye

Hiking Rubha nam Brathairean

Best thing to do Scotland

 

To get back to your car, retrace your steps. And enjoy the views. Off in the distance you can see Kilt Rock and its spectacular waterfall. It is worth the short drive up the road to see it up close!

Isle of Skye Best place to visit

Update: In early 2018 dinosaur tracks were discovered along the tidal area of Brothers Point. Read more about them here.

Scotland Travel Guide

Drone Video of the Isle of Skye and Brothers Point

Tyler Flying Drone

We got very lucky with the rain. All day it had been raining, but during our time at Rubha nam Brathairean, we had dry weather. The rain would unfortunately return at our next stop, the Old Man of Storr.

Tim and Tyler took the opportunity to fly the drone here. Check out this aerial footage of Rubha nam Brathairean.

Here are some photos from the sky.

Rubha nam Brathairean Drone

Isle of Skye Drone


If you have any questions about how to visit Brother’s Point in the Isle of Skye, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information about Scotland

BEST OF THE ISLE OF SKYE: For a list of things to do, read our article Must Have Experiences in the Isle of Skye. The Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and the Fairy Pools are beautiful places to visit. Learn how to put this all together in our Isle of Skye Itinerary.

DRIVING IN SCOTLAND: If your visit to Scotland includes a visit to the Isle of Skye, there are two different routes to get from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye.

BEST OF SCOTLAND: Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, and Glasgow all are essential places to visit on a first visit to Scotland. Learn how to put these all together into a 10 day Scotland road trip.

TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Here are 15 fairytale destinations to visit around the world. For more great travel destinations, check out our article 10 Cool Travel Spots to Put on Your Wish List.

 

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

 

Isle of Skye Scotland Brothers Point
Isle of Skye best thing to do Rubha nam Brathairean

 

All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Comments 16

  1. Avatar for Roy Buckner
    Roy Buckner

    Because of the idiotic parking of the hundreds and thousands of tourist that visit brothers point now every year ,down to websites like this giving a rose tinted view ,the side of the verges in the lay-by not a car park are just mud so consequently living here is a nightmare

  2. Avatar for Matt
    Matt

    Ahhhhh choices!!!! So many beautiful places and not enough time. >.<

    Sooo, if you had to choose two out of Quiraing, Brother's Point and the Old Man of Storr, what two would you choose?

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Wow, that’s a tough question. Go to the viewpoint for the Quiraing, but don’t hike it. You just need to go down the trail a very short distance (maybe 200 to 300 meters) to get a very nice view of the area. And then put the rest of your time into Brother’s Point and Old Man of Storr. Hopefully that works with your timing. Cheers, Julie

  3. Avatar for Dan
    Dan

    Hello,
    Thanks for taking the effort and time for your blogs. We are planning a trip to the UK and are making very good use of the info you have shared!
    2 specific questions about the drone – if you do not mind can you share with us what kind of a drone do you have, i.e. what make, and what resolution?
    – when you travel via flights how do you carry your drone i.e., carry on or check-in?
    Regards,
    Dan

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      We have the DJI Phantom 4. We purchased it in 2016 and we carry it in a backpack that is designed for drones. We bring the drone (in this backpack) as carry on luggage on an airplane. It’s fragile so we prefer not to check it. Plus, it has special batteries that cannot be stored in checked luggage. If you are looking to purchase a drone, check out the DJI Mavic 2. It’s lighter, smaller, quieter and has a better resolution than the DJI Phantom 4. We are considering upgrading to this drone. Cheers, Julie

  4. Avatar for Michele
    Michele

    Hi Julie-
    Our family of 6 are at Skye presently and have completed all the iconic hikes here….I’m wondering two things1) Does your family hike/walk together as you do your hikes..? I get frustrated that my husband and kids get so far ahead of me and then it feels like I am experiencing the hike alone. I like to stop and take photos along the way…..but they like to get to the “ top”. I’m conflicted about insisting we stay somewhat together and experience it as a family or just let it go and let them go at their pace.
    2) When you take your photos of a hike, do you also take loads of photos of other miscellaneous scenery as you go along? ( creating lots of extra photos to sift through to just get the ones you want to use for that particular hike post?). Wondering what your process is..:)

    Thanks so much….
    Michele

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hi Michele. It’s an unspoken rule in our family that we stick together on a hiking trail. We all tend to go at the same pace, however, I need them in these photos for these articles. So when I stop, they know to stop too. But this is just how it has been since they were little kids. But I can understand your feelings. Maybe you could all discuss the issue and set up some general expectations to keep everyone happy on the hiking trails. I do take tons of photos along the way and choose the best ones later. It’s a lot of work once we get home but it’s worth it. So I have a big memory card and frequently back up the photos onto my computer or hard drive. Enjoy the rest of your time in Skye! Cheers, Julie

  5. Avatar for Ashley
    Ashley

    All of your articles on Isle of Skye are VERY helpful! Thanks so much for sharing.

    FYI — I just checked the website for Skye Pie Cafe, though, and it says it’s closed!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      We heard rumors in 2018 that they might close. I was hoping it would never happen because their pies are delicious and this makes the perfect lunch spot when exploring this area of the Isle of Skye. Thanks for letting us know (and sorry if you hoped to eat here!). Cheers, Julie

  6. Avatar for Kaila
    Kaila

    Hi there!
    I am looking for a place to have a quick wedding ceremony. I love the landscape here and wanted to know your opinion on the following:

    About how far would you say it is from the parking area to the peninsula?
    About how far would you say it is from the parking area to the coastline?
    Is the hike to get to the peninsula difficult?
    Is the hike to get to the coastline difficult?
    (My mother will be with me and she is older so I don’t want this to be too difficult for her. )

    Thank you so much for your information in advance!

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      What a unique spot for a wedding! It’s just over 1 mile (one way) to the peninsula, about a 1/2 mile to the coast. There are some hills to walk up and down but nothing too difficult. If you are afraid of heights, there is a short section where you have to walk the trail near the edge of the cliff to get to the peninsula that could give you a little trouble. The hardest thing about this hike is walking through the marshy (but flat) sections where your feet can get wet. Waterproof shoes are a good idea. My mother is almost 70 and she could handle this hike. Cheers, Julie

      1. Avatar for Kaila
  7. Avatar for Erica
    Erica

    Hi! Thanks to you I will put this place on my list to visit while in the Island of Sky 🙂

    I was wondering if the 2 hours were from Culnacnoc parking to Brothers Pont or if it was Culnacnoc/Brothers Point/Culnacnoc.

    Thanks!! Erica

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

    Have followed you and your family since the first, and the addition of Tyler’s drone videos are spectacular way for me to “be” with you. Thanks for all you do.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      You’re welcome, Regina. Thank you for following us for such a long time! It means a lot to us to hear from our followers. Cheers! Julie

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