The Isle of Skye is considered one of Scotland’s most visited locations – and justifiably so.
A part of the Inside Hebrides islands off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Skye is stunningly stunning. It gives wild, windswept landscapes, fairy story waterfalls and lochs, a dramatic shoreline, historic castles, abandoned seashores, nice foods and drinks and, after all, a heat Scottish welcome.
We now have visited the Isle of Skye a number of occasions and it’s considered one of our favorite locations within the U.Ok.
You possibly can see the highlights of the island in 1 day however to completely discover all of the gems that the Isle of Skye has to supply (and at a leisurely tempo), we suggest spending no less than 2 -3 days on Skye.
We assure you received’t remorse it!
The best way to get across the Isle of Skye
Driving your personal automotive is one of the best ways to discover the Isle of Skye.
Having your personal automotive will allow you to get off the overwhelmed monitor or cease if you wish to for photographs or for a scenic stroll. You possibly can set your personal timetable in accordance with the climate or crowds and it’s additionally helpful cowl to flee to when it rains on Skye (and it rains so much!).
Attending to Skye from the Scottish mainland is simple. You possibly can drive over the bridge from the Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland to Kyleakin in south-east Skye.
Alternatively, in case you’re travelling south to north, you may take your automotive over on the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale within the south of Skye.
Nevertheless you select to succeed in Skye, we suggest travelling each methods (by ferry and by bridge) to maximise your Isle of Skye expertise. Ensure you e-book your ferry effectively upfront of your journey because it will get booked up, particularly in peak season.
Learn our information – The best way to journey from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye
Isle of Skye excursions
If self-driving isn’t for you, there are many wonderful and complete Isle of Skye excursions to select from.
Most island excursions cowl the highlights talked about in our itineraries under however you’ll have much less time at every location. In case you e-book a non-public tour, you may all the time ask to tweak the itinerary to incorporate locations you want to go to.
Isle of Skye highway journey itineraries
Please observe that every one driving occasions under are approximate. You’ll need to drive slower in unhealthy climate and should must drive slower in peak season resulting from different site visitors on the roads.
Plus, in case you get caught behind a tractor or a herd of sheep it may well take for much longer to succeed in your vacation spot!
A 1 day Isle of Skye Itinerary
If attainable, keep on the Isle of Skye the evening earlier than embarking on this 1 day itinerary. Our itinerary begins from Portree which is a 1 hour drive north of Kyleakin and 1.10 hours north of Armadale.
This itinerary includes a number of driving with restricted day out of the automotive so set off as early as you may.
In case you are travelling in winter months, you’ll have shorter sunlight hours so bear in mind that you just would possibly must condense this itinerary.
Morning
Begin your morning with breakfast in Portree and a quick stroll round this gorgeous coastal city. To avoid wasting time later within the day, refill on a picnic lunch and snacks while in Portree.
Drive north for quarter-hour on the A855 to succeed in Skye’s iconic landmark, the Previous Man of Storr, a 55-metre excessive pinnacle of basalt rock. Take pleasure in a 1 hour stroll taking within the dramatic surroundings.
An extra 15 minute drive brings you to the general public viewpoint for Kilt Rock and Mealt falls.
Kilt Rock is a jaw dropping 90-metre-high cliff wall of hexagonal basalt rock columns. Mealt Falls plunges over it dropping 55 metres within the sea under. You’ll wish to cease and take photographs right here so permit round half-hour in your cease.
Drive one other 10 minutes north to the spectacular surroundings of The Quiraing, considered one of Skye’s most visited areas. Look out for the car parking zone and begin of the strolling path which is round 2.5 miles from the village of Staffin.
The complete Quiraing loop stroll takes round 2 hours however you are able to do as little or as a lot as you want to slot in together with your 1 day Skye itinerary.
Take pleasure in your picnic lunch or proceed driving throughout the inland of the island to the village of Uig (20 minutes away) for a brief lunch cease.
Afternoon
After lunch, drive for 40 minutes to Dunvegan Citadel, the oldest repeatedly inhabited citadel in Scotland. It’s a 40 minute drive with out stops however you’ll want to make stops to benefit from the surroundings so allocate round 1 hour for the drive.
In case you are travelling between April and mid-October you may spend an hour exploring the citadel (the house of the MacLeod Clan) and their spectacular 5 acre formal gardens. If the citadel is closed, you may nonetheless get an excellent view of it from the highway.
From Dunvegan, drive an extra half-hour to succeed in Neist Level Lighthouse, essentially the most westerly tip of the Isle of Skye. Perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, it’s a photographer’s dream.
It’s a 2.2km stroll to succeed in the lighthouse so you are able to do as little or as a lot as you want relying in your timings. Word that the trail again to the automotive park is steep in locations.
Drive for 1 hour again to Portree by way of Feorlig and Bracadale to finish your northerly loop of the Isle of Skye or detour at Sligachan to succeed in Armadale or Kyleakin.
Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary
This itinerary includes much more strolling than the 1 day itinerary so be sure to deliver sturdy closed toe footwear with you.
Day 1
Morning
Begin your morning with a leisurely breakfast in vibrant Portree and a quick stroll across the coastal city.
Drive half-hour southwest of Portree to the Fairy Swimming pools, a sequence of crystal clear swimming pools set towards a spectacular highland backdrop.
The return stroll to the primary pool is round 2.4 km and can take round 1 hour however you may prolong your stroll to discover additional up the river to see extra swimming pools. We’d suggest permitting no less than 2 hours in your go to.
Drive northwest for 20 minutes (detouring off the A863 onto the B8009) to go to the Talisker Distillery in Carbost, the oldest working distillery on the island.
Take a 1 hour tour to find Talisker’s historical past and manufacturing processes. You’ll additionally get 3 dram tastings of Talisker’s award profitable single malts. Drivers shall be given ‘driver’s drams’ to remove to take pleasure in as soon as the driving day is over.
Afternoon
Have lunch in Carbost or return to Portree for lunch earlier than heading north to the Previous Man of Storr.
You’ll have sufficient time left right now to do the total 2.5 miles / 4 km path which is able to take round 1.5 – 2 hours relying on stops. It’s effectively value doing if you’ll be able to.
Afterwards, you may select to remain domestically or drive quarter-hour again to Portree for the evening.
Try our complete information to lodging in Skye for all budgets right here.
Day 2
Morning
Make an early begin to beat the crowds and drive to the viewing level for Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls.
In case your go to coincides with a low tide, pop to Staffin Seaside to see its 3 toed dinosaur print embedded in rock.
Drive to The Quiraing the place you’ll have time to do the total strolling path loop (round 2 hours).
Afternoon
Cease for lunch in Uig earlier than making a brief 6 minute driving detour to the Fairy Glen.
This uncommon, other-worldy panorama options cone-shaped grassy hills and basalt rocks fashioned over 100,000 years in the past. It’s value spending a while wandering round right here in case you can.
Drive for 1 hour to Dunvegan Citadel. If it’s open, permit no less than 1 hour to go to earlier than heading west for half-hour to Neist Level Lighthouse. Permit no less than 1.5 – 2 hours to stroll to the lighthouse and again.
Return to Portree by way of Feorlig and Bracadale or proceed driving to Armadale or Kyleakin.
3 Day Isle of Skye Itinerary
Day 1
Similar as day 1 of the two day itinerary
Day 2
Morning
Similar as day 2 of the two day itinerary.
Afternoon
Drive from The Quiraing to the small Rubha Hunish automotive park for a stroll to essentially the most northerly tip of Skye.
The path to Rubha Hunish is round 6.2 km and can take round 2 hours to finish however once more, you are able to do as a lot or as little as you want. The path is tough and steep and might be uncovered in locations so take care the place you stroll.
In case you make it to the top of the path in good climate, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of Skye’s northern shoreline and perhaps even the Outer Hebrides islands of Lewis and Harris.
This north coast is a famend spot for chicken watching so don’t overlook your binoculars.
If the climate is unhealthy, we don’t suggest trying the stroll. As an alternative, benefit from the coastal surroundings and drive additional on to the fifteenth century ruins of Duntulm Citadel earlier than heading to the Fairy Glen close to Uig.
Keep within the native space in a single day.
Day 3
Morning
There’s a number of driving right now so begin early to suit all the pieces in. If the climate is sweet, we suggest choosing up a picnic lunch to take pleasure in alongside the best way and to avoid wasting time.
Drive from Uig to Dunvegan Citadel (half-hour). If the citadel is open, permit 1-2 hours in your go to.
From Dunvegan, drive to Coral Seaside (25 minutes) and spend a soothing hour strolling probably the greatest seashores on the Isle of Skye.
Coral Seaside is produced from tiny particles of crushed white coral so the seaside seems to be pure white which additionally helps to offer the ocean a turquoise Caribbean hue. If it’s a sunny day, you’ll discover it arduous to go away this stunning seaside. We adore it right here and in summer time, it’s a super picnic spot.
Afternoon
From Coral Seaside, drive to Neist Level Lighthouse (1 hour). Permit 1.5 – 2 hours to stroll to and from the lighthouse.
Drive to Carbost earlier than taking a tour of the Talisker Distillery (no less than a 1 hour drive). Permit an extra hour in your tour.
Drive again to Portree (30 minutes), making a fast cease at Sligachan Bridge, or proceed on to Kyleakin or Armadale for the ferry to the mainland.
Ideas for visiting the Isle of Skye
- Self driving is one of the best ways to discover Skye. Alternatively, be a part of a small group tour or organize a non-public tour. There’s very restricted public transport on the island.
- Use Tripiamo to organize in your highway journey. Their complete driving guides are particularly designed to show worldwide travellers what they should know to confidently and safely drive in a foreign country. We promise utilizing a Tripiamo information will prevent time and stress!
- Be careful for sheep on the slim winding roads, a few of which shall be single monitor.
- Parking is restricted on Skye and parking areas at predominant points of interest replenish shortly. Arrive early to safe your spot and use Parkopedia to search out out there parking on the island.
- Most automotive parks settle for bank cards however carry some money simply in case. We suggest downloading the RingGo app upfront of your go to as a number of Skye automotive parks use this.
- E book eating places upfront of your go to. Skye is a small island with restricted eating choices so if there’s someplace particularly you want to eat, we suggest reserving lunch or dinner reservations forward of time. We suggest the Edinbane Inn between Portree and Dunvegan and The Oyster Shed in Carbost. Additionally, don’t miss the wonderful Harbour Fish and Chip store in Portree.
- E book your Isle of Skye lodging upfront. Lodges, B+B’s and tenting pods replenish shortly, particularly in peak season.
- You received’t discover many grocery outlets on Skye so make the most of having your personal automotive and refill on meals, drink and snacks earlier than arriving on the island.
- Put together for all weathers. You need to count on rain so be sure to pack a water-proof jacket and durable, waterproof footwear with good grip for strolling. We additionally suggest keeping track of the climate forecast while on the island because the climate can change shortly.
- Be ready for midges. Peak midge season is between Could and September which, sadly, is the height season for guests. Midges are most prevalent in good climate (they don’t like wind!), round water sources and within the early morning and night. Ensure you deliver insect repellent – and a few chunk reduction – to the island with you significantly in case you go to in peak season.
- Look out for Highland cattle; you’ll see them in fields as you drive alongside. If you wish to pull over to take a photograph, be sure to park in a protected place which is not going to hinder site visitors.
- The Isle of Skye will get very busy in U.Ok faculty holidays, significantly throughout July and August. Keep away from these months in case you can.
- Most locations on Skye take bank cards however carry some spare money simply in case. Some retailers might have minimal card spends.
- Obtain Google Maps forward of your go to. Cellphone indicators might be weak or non-existent in rural components of Skye so it’s a good suggestion to have a backup possibility, simply in case.
- In case you take a automotive to the island, replenish with gas on the mainland first. It’s cheaper and can prevent looking for gas when on Skye.
Hopefully our tried and examined driving itineraries on the Isle of Skye will allow you to get essentially the most out of your go to to the island – and prevent time and stress.
We assure you’ll love the Isle of Skye as a lot as we do and can go away planning to return.
