The Isle of Skye is easily one of Scotland’s most beloved islands, and it’s not hard to see why. People often call it one of the most stunning places in the Scottish Highlands. Sometimes when a place gets hyped up, it can leave you feeling a bit underwhelmed. Well, that’s just not the case with the Isle of Skye. It has dramatic rock formations, rolling green hills, and wild beaches that tick all the boxes for what you’d want on a trip to Scotland.
In today’s blog post, we’re going to take you on a tour of the 10 most beautiful places on the Isle of Skye. You’ll also get some tips on how to get there, whether you’re driving or taking public transportation, as well as some great places to stay and eat. And for our newsletter subscribers, we’ve put together 3-day travel itinerary for the Isle of Skye, which lines up all the spots we’re talking about in a logical way.
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Where is the Isle of Skye?
The Isle of Skye sits off the northwest coast of Scotland. It’s the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, and it’s also considered part of the Scottish Highlands. The Isle of Skye has a neat Gaelic nickname, “Eilean a’ Cheò,” which translates to “Island of Mist.”
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1. Hiking Quiraing – the most epic view on Isle of Skye
The Quiraing is an incredibly impressive rock formation in the northern part of the Isle of Skye, located on the Trotternish Peninsula. These rock pinnacles were formed by a landslide 5,000 to 13,000 years ago, much like the famous Old Man of Storr formations. Just the drive up the mountain is an experience in itself and can be quite an adventure, especially with the single-lane roads.
If you’ve got sturdy hiking boots and some time to spare, you can hike around the Quiraing in about 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive around it by car, or simply enjoy the views at the beginning of the trail.
- You can park your car here, but it's a very popular spot, so come early.
- Unfortunately, we couldn't find a way to reach Quiraing by bus. Alternatively, you can book an Isle of Skye Tour with GetYourGuide or Viator
2. Hiking the Old Man of Storr – the most popular hike on Isle of Skye
The hike to the Old Man of Storr is the most popular hike on Skye for a good reason. The views are absolutely fantastic, and the hike, while steep, isn’t particularly challenging, making it doable even for less experienced hikers. It’s well worth getting an early start, and by that, we mean setting out at sunrise or heading up for sunset to fully enjoy the hike because it can get very busy throughout the day.
- You can park your car here
- If you're coming from Portree, you can take Bus Number 57A. It runs from Somerled Square to the Old Man of Storr Car Park in about 15 minutes.
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3. Watching the sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse
You’ll find the Neist Point peninsula and its associated lighthouse at the westernmost tip of the island. In our opinion, this little corner of the Isle of Skye offers the most beautiful sunset view. But be sure to bring plenty of midge spray to fend off those pesky midges, as they can spoil the sight. You can also go on a hike to the lighthouse, but the views are best from the opposite viewpoint on the cliffs in our opinion.
- You can park your car here
- Unfortunately, there's no public transportation connection here either.
4. Explore Brother’s Point – the hidden gem on Isle of Skye
We don’t understand why the hike to Brother’s Point isn’t more popular among tourists visiting Isle of Skye. The views from this headland are fantastic, and the hike is a relatively short 3 kilometers and not particularly challenging. We recommend waterproof hiking boots, but that’s a good idea for all of Scotland because the paths can often be muddy and uneven. Supposedly, there are dinosaur footprints in the beach area of the headland, but we haven’t managed to spot them. From the parking lot, walk a short distance down the A855 until a sign directs you onto the hiking trail. You’ll pass through two large gates (don’t forget to close them) before heading downhill towards the coast. If you follow the signs along the road, you won’t miss the path. For more detailed directions, feel free to check out this post.
- You can park your car here
- If you're coming from Portree, you can take Bus Number 57A. It runs from Somerled Square to the Grealin Junction in about 25 minutes.
5. Visit Dunvegan Castle – the most beautiful castle on Isle of Skye
Had enough of hiking and craving some variety? Then a visit to Dunvegan Castle is a great idea. It’s the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, and the MacLeod family calls it home. You can easily spend half a day here. The castle itself and its gardens are already stunning, but what makes a trip truly special is the boat ride to a seal colony on the offshore rocks. Unfortunately, you can’t book a ticket for the boat trip in advance, so we recommend heading to the small boat tour first to secure your spot. The admission to the castle is £16.00 for adults and £11.00 for children. The seal trip isn’t included in the entry fee and costs an additional £12.00 for adults and £9.00 for children.
- There are free parking spaces on the castle grounds.
- If you're coming from Portree, you can take Bus Number 57A. It runs from Somerled Square to the
6. Explore Portree, the capital of Isle of Skye
If you’ve arrived on the Isle of Skye using public transportation, chances are you’ve settled in Portree. Portree is a lively harbor town and a vital hub for all bus lines and boat tours. It’s a great place for enjoying a drink, shopping, or going on a boat trip.
- You can park here in Portree. If you're traveling with a motorhome or campervan, there's also a waste disposal station for your toilet.
7. Enjoying a whisky tasting at Talisker Distillery
During our trip to Scotland, we tried three different whiskey tastings, and the one on the Isle of Skye was by far the best. The Talisker Whiskey Distillery is located on the shores of Loch Harport and is, according to their own description, the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye. We opted for the one-hour Talisker Distillery Tour, but the distillery also offers an immersive tasting experience. It’s worth noting that in Scotland, there’s a 0.5 blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers, and there’s no limit on the fine if you’re caught over the limit. That’s why all whiskey tastings advise designated drivers not to sample the whiskey. Instead, you’ll receive small sample bottles of 2-3 whiskeys that you can try later.
- The distillery provides parking for visitors.
- From Portree, you can take Bus Number 608, which goes directly to the Talisker Distillery in about 30 minutes.
- Oyster Shed: It's just a small hut, but the oysters are incredibly fresh. Or Cafe Cùll
8. Walk to Talisker Bay – the hidden bay of the Isle of Skye
This beautiful yet secluded bay is located near the distillery. However, be sure to read the directions thoroughly before deciding if you want to make the journey.
- You can't drive all the way to the bay by car. We made the mistake of attempting it with a motorhome. However, the road is very narrow, and there are no parking spots at the end of the road, only a turning point. You should definitely not park there. The farmer near the turning point is quite annoyed by the daily stream of tourists blocking his entrance. There are only a few very small bays on the roadside, suitable for small cars. So, if you're traveling with a camper van, it's better to skip the bay. If you're in a small car and lucky enough to secure one of the few bays, you'll need to walk another 15 minutes to reach the bay.
- There is no public transport to this bay unfortunately.
9. Looking for fairies at the Fairy Pools
Picture numerous small pools connected by a stream, interrupted by several waterfalls; that’s what you can expect from the Fairy Pools. We wouldn’t go so far as to call the hike to the pools one of the most beautiful on the Isle of Skye – that title belongs to the Old Man of Storr. But if you have the time, it’s worth a visit. However, keep in mind that the Fairy Pools are among the most visited places on the Isle of Skye, so it can get quite crowded on a nice day.
- You can park your car here. The parking fee is a bit steep at £8, but it's the only official parking area near the Fairy Pools.
- From Portree, you can take Bus Number 57A, which goes from Somerled Square to the Grealin Junction in about 25 minutes.
10. Admire Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls – the most famous waterfall on Isle of Skye
Admittedly, we had high expectations for the waterfall, and it is truly beautiful. BUT it’s only a brief stop. There are no hikes you can undertake in the surroundings, so don’t plan too much time here.
- You can park your car here.
- From Portree, you can take Bus Number 57A, which goes from Somerled Square to the Station Road End in about 30 minutes. From there, it's a 5-10 minute walk to the waterfall.
How to get to the Isle of Skye
- Getting to the Isle of Skye by car is quite easy, thanks to the Sky Bridge on the northwest coast. If you have some extra time, you might also consider visiting the Eilean Donan Castle and the charming fishing village of Plockton on your way to the Isle of Skye.
- Since all the following options involving public transportation can be quite time-consuming, we recommend a guided tour. We prefer using GetyourGuide or Viator because we've always been satisfied with their organization and cancellation policies. You can find multi-day trips from Edinburgh as well as day trips from Inverness to the Isle of Skye.
- From Glasgow Queen Street, the West Highland Line will take you to Mallaig in 5.5 hours. The views during the journey are said to be stunning, and you'll also cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous for its appearance in the Harry Potter films. If you're starting from Edinburgh, you'll need to transfer through Glasgow and it'll take approximately 6.5 hours to reach Mallaig. From Mallaig, take a ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, which is a 30-minute ride.
- An alternative to the train is a Citylink bus trip. This bus will take you from Glasgow Airport or the Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Portree on the Isle of Skye in approximately 6.5 hours without transfers. If you're departing from Edinburgh Airport, the journey will take about 8 hours, and you'll need to change at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.
Once you arrive on the Isle of Skye, it’s most convenient to stay in Portree. If you’ve arrived in Armadale, taking a taxi to Portree is your best option. Most buses on the Isle of Skye depart from Portree, but you may still need a taxi to reach all the attractions or save time. Here are some taxi numbers on the island; they also offer tours but tend to be more expensive than tours with providers like GetYourGuide or Viator.
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye?
We wish you a fantastic time on the Isle of Skye. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment or feel free to reach out to us on Instagram. And be sure to check out our other posts on Scotland.
