Planning a visit and want to know what to see on the Isle of Skye? Read on!
Skye is on many people’s list of places to visit in Scotland and it is easy to understand why. Is it worth visiting Skye? Absolutely! Skye is incredibly beautiful with a dramatic, rugged landscape: tall, craggy mountains; a stunning coastline; wonderful lochs; heather covered hills. Furthermore, it has historic castles, legends about Bonnie Prince Charlie and, of course, a whisky distillery! The Isle of Skye encapsulates the essence of Scotland in one small bite and is one of our favourite places in Scotland. I have set out here what I feel are the best places to see on Skye and how to experience this wonderful Scottish island.
The Cuillins: rugged and wild. I’m there if you look hard enough!
Getting to the Isle of Skye
Access to the island is much easier than it used to be. When we were first up this way in the 80s, the only way to cross to the Isle of Skye was via the ferry. The ferry is still available and the main route is between Mallaig and Armadale. However, with the Skye Bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh, there is an easy (and free) alternative. The ferry from Mallaig is not particularly expensive (follow the link above for details), however, and using the ferry may be all part of the experience of visiting Skye for many people. (There is another ferry route from Glenelg, but it only runs during the summer months).
Using the bridge when visiting the Isle of Skye has another advantage: the opportunity to check out Eilean Donan castle. The A87 to the bridge goes past the castle and it is definitely worth stopping to look.
So what to see on the Isle of Skye? What is there to do on Skye?
The answer to these questions is quite a lot, especially if you like to hike and enjoy exploring a beautiful landscape. It also helps if you are confident driving on single track roads!
What to see on Skye: The Fairy Pools
First on the list of what to see on the Isle of Skye is the Fairy Pools, one of the most popular landmarks on Skye. The Fairy Pools is a series of waterfalls cascading into small pools down the hillside. It is very pretty and just a short easy walk from the carpark. Some people go swimming in the pools! Most people just take photos.
The Fairy Pools, at the top of the most people’s list of what to see on Skye
It can be very busy at the Fairy Pools – and, when we last visited, also very midgy. If you have not experienced the Scottish midge, beware! They are tiny and vicious and get everywhere. There are numerous concoctions you can use to repel them, but when it is really bad, it is wise to cover up and don these wonderful head accessories as modelled by me here. The height of sartorial elegance!
Be prepared! Midgy nets are strongly advised
It was noticeable, however, that once we moved beyond the Fairy Pools, the crowds thinned and then all but disappeared, as did the midges. Is there a correlation? Perhaps. If there are no people, there is no blood for them to feed on!
A Hike in the Cuillins
Hikers visiting Skye will definitely want to hike up into the Cuillins, the rocky mountain range on the island, but it is worth noting that these are serious mountains. There are various routes one can take to explore the Cuillins, but one of the most accessible leads up from the Fairy Pools.
The Loop Trail from the Fairy Pools
There is a low-level loop of about 4.5 miles, which is lovely and, although muddy in places, not difficult. It is also possible to leave this loop trail and hike up into the mountains, returning and then re-joining the loop trail to complete it. This extends the hike by about another 6 miles (much of it up!). I can also now confirm that it is one of the hardest hikes I have done in recent years.
The Cuillins
When we did this particular hike, the loop path was quite muddy and waterlogged in places, due of course to the days of rain immediately preceding our trip.
Hiking up Bruach na Frithe
We left the loop path to climb towards Bruach na Frithe and at this point, the conditions underfoot changed to really quite rough terrain. It is very rocky and hard going. It is also very steep. There are no switchbacks; it is just up….and up! There are two gradients: steep and steeper. The weather changed constantly when we tackled this trail. Sometimes we had lovely sunshine and amazing views; at other times the cloud swept in and we were climbing in fog. At one point we also had to don the waterproofs. On the plus side, the cloud did clear when we reached the top and we had some magnificent views.
A beautiful view over Skye from the Cuillins
Whether viewed from afar or up close, the Cuillins are spectacular: huge, rugged and beautiful. The craggy peaks have quite a mystical look to them: what could be living in there?! This was a very memorable hike, but even though it is billed as one of the easiest ascents in the Cuillins, it is not for the fainthearted. Or perhaps that is just me who needs to get a bit fitter……
Just a spec on the landscape!
Negotiating the ridge!
Craggy outcrops make for a dramatic landscape
And so different in the sunshine!
What to see on Skye: The Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is one of the most popular landmarks and must feature on any list of what to see on the Isle of Skye. The Storr is a craggy hill on the Trotternish Peninsula on the north west of the island and the Old Man of Storr is a distinctive pinnacle which stands proud on the hill. It can be seen for miles around.
There is a large pay carpark at the trail head for the Old Man of Storr. Motorhomes and campervans have to park in the parking bays on the road.
The hike up to the Old Man of Storr is fairly straightforward on a well marked path. In fact, there are two paths, one going off to the right and directly up to the Old Man and the other going off to the left and taking a slightly wider arc. Both paths join towards the top, the steepest part of the route. This section is stepped. The right hand path, for reasons I cannot fathom, is always busy, a regular motorway of hikers. The left hand path, certainly when we have been there, is usually empty. We were there very recently and heading up the left hand side we saw only one other couple the whole way up and they were walking down!
The views of the Old Man of Storr are wonderful. It takes a little over 30 mins to hike up to the Old Man. Most people just head up to the pinnacle, but it is worth going around the back and seeing it from different angles. It looks different from every direction. There is a hill a short distance past the Old Man and again, climbing this gives another perspective.
Hiking The Storr
After the “Old Man” there is then the option to climb The Storr itself. In our experience, very few people hike to the summit. There are different routes one can take up The Storr, but we went up the ridge. It was challenging! Very steep in places with some scrambling required, but was well worth it. The views looking down on the Old Man are wonderful and the outlook across the island to the Cuillins is magnificent.
At the top of The Storr, we were surprised to find a grassy meadow, perfect for a picnic!
We chose a rather easier, shallower route down!
Hike the Quiraing
The Quiraing is another popular hike on Skye, not as challenging as hiking up The Storr or into the Cuillins, but not to be dismissed as an easy stroll by any means. It is described as a “moderate” walk on the information board, but Skye operates a different scale of difficulty to the rest of the UK! I would say this is a moderate to challenging hike. The entire loop takes about three hours.
The Quiraing is a landslip on the Trotternish peninsular at the northern most tip of Skye. There is a large carpark at the trailhead. Make sure you pay the correct fee and also park in the appropriate space for you vehicle; we saw several vehicles with parking tickets!
The trail around the Quiraing is often quite busy for the first half mile, but then crowds seem to disappear and there are far fewer people on the rest of the loop. The first section of the trail traverses the hill along a fairly narrow ridge.
The rocky terrain and the views back across Skye are wonderful. There is a fair bit of up and down, but the steepest section is at the far end of the loop.
There is an optional detour here out to the cliff overlooking the coast or one can just stay on the loop trail and head up to the summit.
This section of the trail was quite muddy when we visited most recently. It was tricky enough in hiking boots, but I did feel sorry for the young woman in the white flatties: they must have been completely ruined!
The path down the other side was also muddy and the trail had eroded in places. As it is quite steep, this made the downhill section quite tricky too.
Many people think the hike around the Quiraing is aimed at casual walkers looking to enjoy the views and an easy walk. It is not easy, but the views are wonderful. It is a reasonably challenging hike – and I would definitely recommend hiking boots!
Elgol
It was a rather grey day when we most recently decided to scoot over to the village of Elgol. One has to be prepared to do things in the rain on Skye! Elgol is on at the end of the Strathaird Peninsula, one of the most remote spots on Skye. It is very beautiful with stunning views across the loch to the Cuillins and even on this rather bleak, windy day, it was still possible to see how beautiful it is. If time permits, Elgol should also be on the list of what to see on Skye.
A different perspective on the Cuillins
Most of Elgol was closed when we were last there and the boat trips were not running because of the weather. However, the café behind the community hall was open and we had a very acceptable coffee and scone there. Then we had to brave the elements again and we got well and truly soaked!
Neist Point
What to see on Skye? Do not miss Neist Point! It is an absolute highlight on any visit to Skye, but on the most westerly tip of the island, it is about as remote and as wild as can be imagined on a grey, blustery day. Several miles of twisty, single track road brings one to the point where the lighthouse is situated. When we visited a couple of years ago, the wind was howling! Not having a hat with me, I refused to take off my motorbike helmet as it was so cold and windy. Looking down to the point from near the carpark, I had to hang on to the railings to stop myself from being blown away. Wow!
Being blown away at Neist Point!
Unfortunately, these conditions meant that it was not advisable to actually walk along the cliff to the lighthouse, but the coast and the cliffs here are spectacular, so it was by no means a wasted journey.
By contrast, when we visited Neist Point again more recently, the sun was shining and there was just a bit of a breeze. So different!
Right out on the tip and just a little breeze this time!
Neist Point really is a “must see” on Skye, despite the conditions and the challenges of getting there.
What to see on Skye? Dunvegan Castle
One of the campsites at which we have stayed (see below) is Kinloch and this is very close to Dunvegan Castle. We have visited Dunvegan Castle a couple of times, most recently in June 2022. Built originally in the thirteenth century and re-modelled several times since, the castle is very picturesque.
Dunvegan Castle
View from the ramparts on a murky day
The castle is really interesting (and a great option if it is raining!) but the gardens are absolutely fabulous and definitely worth touring – even in the rain!
When we visited recently we just paid upon arrival, but I would suggest booking ahead on line in peak season.
Talisker Whisky Distillery
We love visiting whisky distilleries in Scotland and the Talisker Whisky Distillery therefore was definitely on our agenda on our visit to Skye a couple of years ago. However, we miscalculated! We cycled down to the distillery from where we were staying at the time. This was a good move as the carpark was very busy. We arrived early afternoon and the place was crowded. All the tours for the rest of the day were fully booked and the visitor centre was crammed full. We shared a dram of a very tasty, mildly peated whisky which had been finished in a port barrel, but there were no seats available to sit and enjoy it.
The Talisker Whisky Distillery
As with most distilleries, Talisker is set in a beautiful location looking out over the loch. The building itself is very attractive. The inside of the visitor centre is also really well appointed and the information boards are well structured. However, it is the busiest distillery we have visited – and we have visited many ( On the Whisky Trail and On the Whisky Trail again!). The advice has to be to choose your time, perhaps not on an afternoon in August, and book ahead if you really want to see around the distillery – or you could just sample the whisky as we did!
Portree
Portree is the main town on the Isle of Skye. It is built around a working harbour and the town itself is very pretty. The high street is characterful and the harbour area in particular has a wonderful vibe, just great for wandering around. Lots of people stay in Portree when visiting Skye and it is easy to see why.
Where to eat on Skye: The Three Chimneys Restaurant
The Three Chimneys Restaurant has consistently earned wonderful reviews for several years. Naturally, we wanted to see for ourselves. We were not disappointed. In fact, we have eaten there a several times now and can confirm that the food here really is wonderful.
From the outside, The Three Chimneys looks like a rather quaint cottage. The three chimneys, presumably from which the restaurant acquired its name, are clearly visible.
Inside, the cottage style is continued. The furnishings and décor are simple and in keeping with the building and the surroundings. It feels warm and welcoming,
The food is beautifully presented in a well-structured, imaginative menu. The flavours and textures of each course complement each other perfectly. The ingredients are all locally sourced and seafood features prominently, as one might expect. A word of warning: be careful not to fill up and the scrumptious breads and butters which are presented at the start of the meal!
A peat smoked haddock ravioli with a mushroom dashi.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our visits to The Three Chimneys and can highly recommend. However, if you do wish to visit, booking ahead is absolutely essential. When we visited most recently, we booked a month ahead for lunch and had to be flexible with our dates.
Visiting Skye in a motorhome or campervan
I have visited Skye many times in the past, but in recent years we were in a motorhome and on the last occasion a campervan. Motorhomes and campervans are extremely popular ways to explore Skye, but it is worth noting that some of the roads on Skye are single track and can be quite busy at popular landmarks. Manoeuvring a large vehicle can prove difficult at these times. When we took the motorhome, we also had Scooty MacScootface, the tiny Honda Vision scooter which fits in the back of the motorhome. This was perfect for the single track roads on Skye and meant that we did not have to take the motorhome out once we had made camp. The small VW campervan was easier on the narrow roads.
Campsites on Skye
We have stayed at several campsites on Skye and certainly in the peak season advanced booking is necessary. Some people do “wild camp” but we have not done so on Skye. I imagine at busy times it could be quite stressful trying to find an appropriate place to make camp whilst observing the etiquette of wild camping.
We have stayed on three different campsites on Skye:
Merkadale CL (certified location)
Merkadale is a tiny, 5 pitch site near Carbost and only available to Caravan and Motorhome Club members. When we stayed there, it had everything we needed and nothing we didn’t. It has showers and toilets, but we were in the motorhome and did not use them. This site has lovely views down the loch and is very quiet. It is also situated just about a mile from the Talisker whisky distillery! At £16.00 per night including a hook up, we felt this was good value.
Staffin Caravan and Camping Site
Staffin is a small site at the north west of the island and just a few miles from the Old Man of Storr. The pitches are well spaced and most have hook ups.
The shower block is a bit tight – just three loos for women and two showers. The showers are very short on space so that the shower curtain sticks to wet bodies. When we were there there was no mat or soap holder and just one hook for clothes in the cubicles.
It is possible walk over the fields to the beach and see the dinosaur footprints from the site, but the round trip took about an hour and a half. (We were quite excited to go on the dinosaur footprint hunt, but to be honest, had it not been for a 7 year old local who had visited recently with his school, I think we would have been struggling to identify them!)
Kinloch Campsite at Dunvegan
Kinloch is our favourite of all the campsites we have visited on Skye. It is beautifully situated on the very edge of the loch with wonderful views. Kinloch is a larger site with amenities like a shower block and a laundry (although this is tiny so don’t count on being able to use a washing machine). There are plenty of showers which are well kitted out with soap holders and mats etc. The toilets and showers have always been clean when we have stayed. There are sites with hookups and sites without, as well as plenty of space for tents. The views at Kinloch are great if you get a waterfront site, less so if not.
The view from Kinloch campsite across Dunvegan Loch
Skye weather – in fact, Scottish weather!
We have been drenched more than once on Skye and been in the camper with the wind howling. However, we have also had blue skies and sunshine! In short, be prepared for all 4 seasons in a day!
Concluding comments on visiting Skye
Visiting anywhere in Scotland at any time of year requires one to be prepared for all weather conditions. This is especially true of Skye. There are plenty of things to do and lots of places to see on Skye in the rain if you have the right clothing. It is fantastic when the sun shines, but it would be a very lucky visitor who did not experience a range of weather conditions if on the island for a few days.
Skye is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. I love it. But, (there had to be a “but”, I’m afraid)….. it has become a victim of its own success in recent years. The roads to the most popular spots can get very crowded and the trails likewise. Does this spoil the experience of visiting Skye? Perhaps. A little. No more so than other places on the tourist trail across the world. Everyone wants to experience these fabulous places, but does that spoil them? Is there a solution? Tell me what you think!
The trail to the Fairy Pools was a motorway
A very popular place
If you have found this post about what to see on Skye interesting, please Pin it!
Other articles about Scotland:
Hiking Ben Cruachan – watch out for Starships!
Hiking Lochnagar, one of the best hikes in Scotland
Let’s Visit Orkney!
On the Whisky Trail
A Scottish Road Trip? Let’s go!
Ah, what a difficult question and one requiring much self-examination. As a traveler myself it seems hypocritical to lament overtourism, but the negative effects are real. You’re so right to say we need to make every effort to preserve the beauty we travel to see through responsible tourism. It is ironic when part of the charm of a place is its’ remoteness, and it’s mobbed.
Exactly that Cynthia. I cannot criticise others for doing what I want to do, but it is just so important that we do what we can to help protect places like Skye. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
Great post! Very comprehensive and some good points made. Thank you for the kind words about our campsite (Kinloch)!
In peak season we do try to advise people to avoid the busiest areas and give them alternative less well known places to go to, unsure myself how to really improve things without a radical overhaul of infrastructure.
We loved Kinloch! It is just so important that visitors are mindful of the impact they have and do their best to protect places like Skye. I think the approach you are taking is really helpful.
A great and informative post. I don’t know the answer either. We do need to be mindful and responsible travellers so that the impact on these places isn’t too bad. As Cynthia said, it’s hypocritical to be against tourism in these spots as I want to see them as well.
Thanks Wendy. Agree completely with this. We all want to experience these fabulous places, but it is so important that we try to protect them and mitigate against any damage.
It’s always a toss up when you’re going to heavily touristed areas. I would love to visit the Fairy Pools and the castle, but would hate to be in a crowd or stuck in the line. Going mid-week in the shoulder season has worked well for me. I would believe that the Isle of Skye would be gorgeous in late summer once school has resumed and before the autumn chill sets in.
It think it is busy year round these days, but probably better outside school holidays.
I’ve heard a lot about the Isle of Skye so this was so interesting for me to read! The views look amazing and the food looks even better. I need to get me some of that 🙂
What an experience! And your photos are amazing! While I live a long way from Scotland’s Isle of Skye, I wouldn’t mind having a midgy net like the one you were rocking like a runway model for when the gnats and mosquitoes are bad here! LOL!
Thank you! The midgy nets are available online and are really quite cheap.
Historic castles, fairy pools and rugged coastline… the Isle of Skye sounds like an absolute dream! I´ve yet to visit Scotland but it´s high on my list, especially after seeing these photos. I must admit I could do without the nasty midges, but I guess nowhere can be perfect 🙂
Don’t let the midges put you off! They are not always present and there are some very effective deterrents available.
This is one of the dream places for travelers: Isle of the Skye, especially that view from the Cuillins. But the magic would be more if it is remote, isolated, and serene.
Isle of Skye looks just like a snapshot of medieval times if you ignore the modern scars. It’s no wonder the region is such romanticised and celebrated. We would love to see the Talisker Whisky Distillery and sip some of their finest. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I never tire of seeing photos of this area, and we hope to visit in person someday, such spectacular and rugged scenery. We do alot of hiking as a family here in the Rockies, so I would love to explore the Cuillins. My girls would love the Fair pools and the castle, and my hubby would enjoy the distillery. Truly something for everyone!
I had a similar experience recently visiting the island of Bali in Indonesia. It’s so popular with tourists, it makes it impossible to have an authentic experience. And so many people were just there to pose for photos! I suppose we just need to visit other places and find our own magical spots!
There are so many places I’d like to visit and the Isle of Skye is one of them. I didn’t realize there was a bridge. That is probably is one of the reasons more tourists are there – more accessible. I’d definitely want to make a ressie for Three Chimneys!
What a wonderful place to explore the outdoors. The midges would be annoying but a good tip on the nets!
We love Scotland but haven’t been to the Isle of Skye yet. Thanks for sharing your photos and advice. Mass tourism is becoming a problem across the world, especially in places with short holiday seasons or famous monuments.
We love Scotland too. I really want to visit more of the islands.
I really love the Isle of Skye, had one of my best ever camping holidays there. My favourite was the Coral beach! Never heard of the midgy nets… so I ended up with a lot of bites 😀
Latest fashion accessory in the west of Scotland! Thank you, Anna.
Your post gave me an idea of we ever visit this place (co close to booking Scotland last year). Crowds is a big factor for me & I’m glad that you mention it here.
Banff National Park is overrun by tourist during summer as well.
I think you need to choose your time to visit Skye, but yes, over-tourism is a problem across the world now.
Great post Jane – We visited the Isle of Skye at the end of August for a day’s road trip around the island. The day we chose was pretty wet and windy which probably explained why there weren’t too many other tourists around 😉
We like to share places that aren’t so popular so the tourist love gets spread around a little bit more. There are often so many places that are just as beautiful as the known ‘Tourist spots’. We try to travel out of season to known hotspots but it’s definitely a hard one! x
Jane, I absolutely love Skye and have been to many of the places you wrote about! But I went in the winter, during the beast from the East, with snow everywhere! Love that you ate at three chimneys too!! Until the next time we can go back 🙂
It’s a real dilemma isn’t it. It’s also the reason I don’t travel in August, when things are at their worst. But of course it’s true of all the year in some big destinations. I think we have a responsibility to visit smaller destinations to give them some recognition too. Or stop travelling. Which I know none of us want to do. A real dilemma.
Once again, I loved this post. The details you add are exactly what I look for in posts. (The shower being tiny, reservations needed, take the left trail instead of the right trail). Excellent!
The Isle of Skye is a place I’ve dreamt of going for years.
Over tourism is such a real problem. There are beautiful destinations I’ve visited that I rarely recommend anymore. I try not to visit any of the major U.S./Canadian National Parks in the summer anymore. But, I understand that those with children don’t have a choice. There are National Forest locations & not as well known NP’s that we hit in the summer. And, I agree with others, I feel hypocritical when I’m saying to myself “why are so many people here! Go home!” Haha!
I think a lot of us travelers were spoiled for years. Hiking to that remote spot, or finding a lonely road is not so easy anymore. I’d recommend Alaska for having the most unspoiled areas.
Thank you for sharing another amazing trip!
I don’t like the sound of midges at all, Jane! But the scenery really is sooooooo worth it. Online booking requirements have made spontaneous visits impossible, which is a little sad. But maybe we’ll figure out a way to balance the two someday. Great updates!
Before Our #Vacation to #Scotland I Read Many Articles About the Wonderful Places to Visit – Well – I Wish this Article Was Published 2 Years Ago – It’s Awesome!
Your Words and Pics Capture the Wonders of the #IsleofSkye!👍
After Reading This I Want to Go Back!😀
These are some fabulous views of your trip. I would love to visit the castle as I have never been to one. Adding to my list of places to visit when i retire!
What a great trip! Love your itinerary and all the wonderful things you saw in the area. Good to be prepared for the bugs. Your photos are great!
The pictures are beautiful and I so have to visit this place for sure. I absolutely love the castle too and will have to add the Isle of Skye to my travel bucket list.