Isle of Skye

Travel Guide

Isle of Skye featuring tranquil scenes, a sandy beach and a bay or harbor
Isle of Skye featuring mountains, rugged coastline and a lighthouse
Isle of Skye showing a pebble beach, a beach and tranquil scenes
Isle of Skye showing tranquil scenes and mountains
Isle of Skye showing a beach as well as a small group of people

From mist-shrouded mountain peaks to plunging sea cliffs and moss-carpeted valleys, this windswept Scottish island is a place of wild, rugged beauty.

Despite its popularity, the Isle of Skye manages to retain a remote, away-from-it-all feeling. Relish the quietude on uncrowded hiking trails, explore evocative castle ruins and marvel at the dramatic coastline from a kayak. Come evening, feast on fresh seafood and retreat to a cosy pub for a warming dram of Scotch whisky.

The Norse called this place “sky-a” (cloud island), referencing the mysterious mist that seems to stubbornly cling to the peaks of the Black Cuillin. Admire the jagged mountains from afar or tackle the climbing trails. Most climbing routes here are not for the inexperienced be prepared to scramble up scree and traverse narrow ridges.

Skye’s top attractions are natural sights. Head to the Trotternish peninsula at the north of the island to photograph the Old Man of StorrOpens in a new window, a tall, gnarled pinnacle set on a rocky slope. Nearby is the QuiraingOpens in a new window, an otherworldly landscape dotted with crags and unusually shaped slabs of volcanic rock. Further south near Glen Brittle are the famous Fairy Pools, a series of colourful streams and waterfalls.

For insight into Skye’s history and culture, wander around the preserved thatched croft houses at the Museum of Island Life. The exhibits here chronicle life on Skye in the late 19th century and touch upon the tale of Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie flee to Skye after the Jacobite defeat at theBattle of Culloden. Skye’s old fortresses, among them the ruined Duntulm Castle and the majestic loch-side Dunvegan CastleOpens in a new window, are also big draws for history enthusiasts.

Most visitors use the island’s largest town, PortreeOpens in a new window, as their base. Choose from a selection of harbour-side seafood restaurants here and mingle with locals in a lively pub.

Weather on Skye can be changeable, so come prepared for rain, shine and everything in between. Access the island via the Skye Bridge or by ferry. Buses do serve the island, but renting a car will give you much more freedom. Single-lane roads do exist here, but regular passing places make them easy to navigate. Leave the mainland behind to discover the delights of Skye.

Where to stay in Isle of Skye

Portree featuring rocky coastline

Portree Town

If you're spending some time in Portree Town, Somerled Square and Portree Harbour are top sights worth seeing.

Portree Town
Talisker Distillery

Carbost

If you're spending some time in Carbost, Talisker Distillery and Isle of Skye Oysters are top sights worth seeing.

Carbost

Edinbane

Be sure to enjoy the restaurants and waterfront views while you're in Edinbane, and make a trip to Skeabost Golf Course if you have time to see some sights in the nearby area.

Edinbane
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Breakish

While Breakish isn't home to many top sights, Isle of Skye Market Square and Skye Bridge are some notable places to visit nearby.

Breakish
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Teangue

Teangue is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Torabhaig Distillery and Traigh a' Chnuic.

Teangue

Skinidin

Though Skinidin may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Dunvegan Castle and Skye Silver Gift Shop.

Skinidin
Dunollie Hotel

Dunollie Hotel

3 out of 5
Broadford, Strath, Scotland
The price is RM580 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
RM580
RM696 total
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Strath. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (987 reviews)
"Very welcoming staff, quiet rooms."

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Dunollie Hotel
Cuillin Hills Hotel

Cuillin Hills Hotel

4 out of 5
Scorrybreac Road, Portree, Scotland
The price is RM1,069 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
RM1,069
RM1,283 total
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Portree. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (554 reviews)
"Great property with an amazing view."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Cuillin Hills Hotel
Isle of Skye Guest house

Isle of Skye Guest house

3 out of 5
Kyleakin Roundabout, Kyleakin, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Kyleakin. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Skye Bridge ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (334 reviews)
"Great place with awesome breakfast. Great base for exploring Skye."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Isle of Skye Guest house
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
House Of Juniper - The Cabins

House Of Juniper - The Cabins

2 out of 5
The Cabins, Lower Harrapool, Broadford, Strath, Scotland
Stay at this cabin in Strath. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a bar/lounge. Popular attractions Magpie and Isle of Skye Market Square are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (121 reviews)
"Super well equiped cabin, very comfortable. Ideal location. We recommend without hesitation and would return but stay longer."

Reviewed on 24 Sept 2025

House Of Juniper - The Cabins
Ardcana

Ardcana

3.5 out of 5
23 Lower Breakish, Strath, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Strath. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Magpie and Giant MacAskill Musuem are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
"Beautiful cottage with thoughtful and beautiful decor. Touches like a flashlight attached to the bed frame, heated floors, towel warmer. Lovely views of the sea, This place exceeded expectations, Bonus is that we stumbled upon Red Skye Restaurant right up the road and it was our best meal in ..."

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

Ardcana
Armadale Castle Cabins

Armadale Castle Cabins

4 out of 5
Armadale, Sleat, Sleat, Scotland
Stay at this cabin in Sleat. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Armadale Ferry Terminal and Museum of the Isles are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
Loved the stay here 😁
"We loved the coziness of this property. Check-in was self managed with a lock box. The view was amazing!"

Reviewed on 20 Sept 2025

Armadale Castle Cabins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Isle of Skye

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
18
5 - Excellent 78%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Would highly recommend a visit - early spring was a great time to go!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Gorgeous! Incomparable views.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Absolutely stunning place. Especially The Fairy Glen and Quairaing. Make sure to be prepared for driving single track roads responsibly (dodging cows and sheep).

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Beautiful but clearly the infrastructure can not cope with the volume of visitors.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The circular walk at the back on Kinloch Lodge, to Leitir Fura is one of our favourite walks on Skye. For something that takes a little longer, a circular walk around Glenbrittle Forest...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Stunning scenery, lovely friendly people