Dunvegan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Dunvegan Castle which includes interior views, a house and heritage elements
Dunvegan which includes heritage elements
Dunvegan
Dunvegan Castle featuring heritage architecture, a castle and tranquil scenes
Dunvegan Castle which includes a garden

This tiny town on the shore of Loch Dunvegan is best known for its famous eponymous castle, the seat of the chiefs of a prominent Highland clan.

Dunvegan is a small town with only about a dozen shops, restaurants and accommodation. Come to admire the views out over the loch and to explore the well-known Dunvegan CastleOpens in a new window, the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacLeod.

Find the castle on a rocky outcrop, just north of the village itself. One of the most popular sights on the island, this iconic fortress has a captivating history with many important figures from Scottish history, from Sir Walter Scott to Flora MacDonald, having visited here. Pass through the various castle rooms, surveying the displays of family portraits, artifacts and swords.

Don’t leave without strolling through the castle gardens. The paths weave through woodland, in to formal gardens and to small cascading waterfalls. Between late March and late September, boat trips out to Loch Dunvegan depart from the pier near the castle. Take a seal-spotting or fishing trip.

From the castle, it’s just a 10-minute drive north to the picturesque Claigan Coral Beach. The stretch is actually made of maerl, a kind of fossilized, sun-bleached algae. Amble along the shoreline and admire views out over the gold sands of Camas Ban beach.

Back in town, visit the Giant MacAskill Museum. Set in an old croft house, the museum is devoted to the life of Angus MacAskill, a 19th-century Scottish-born “giant” who reached a height of 7 feet, 9 inches (2 metres, 36 centimetres).

Also worth browsing is the Colbost Croft Museum, which shows how crofters on Skye would have lived. Inhale the scent of burning peat and wander around the well-preserved crofter’s cottage. Drive around the Colbost area and look for local gift shops selling Celtic-style silver jewellery produced on the island. If you are looking for gifts or souvenirs, the family-run Croft Studio in Dunvegan sells original paintings, cards and prints inspired by the local landscapes.

Dunvegan is in the northwest corner of Skye. Buses bound for Dunvegan leave from PortreeOpens in a new window. Driving from Portree will take about 30 minutes.

Where to stay in Dunvegan

Roskhill

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Roskhill and surrounding area, you can visit Dunvegan Castle and Harlosh Skerry.

Roskhill
Hame Hotel
Hame Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Dunvegan, Dunvegan, Scotland
The price is £264 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£264
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star guesthouse in Dunvegan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (98 reviews)
"This is small hotel in the countryside and is absolutely lovely. The staff could not be more friendly and accommodating."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Hame Hotel
Atholl House Skye
Atholl House Skye
3 out of 5
Dunvegan, Dunvegan, Scotland
The price is £215 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£215
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Dunvegan. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (63 reviews)
"Great cozy hotel and well decorated ! The stay was perfect except the hotel charged late arrival fee, which was a suprise and never heard of."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Atholl House Skye
Minnies Rooms
Minnies Rooms
3.5 out of 5
Ceol na mara, Dunvegan, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star B&B in Dunvegan. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Dunvegan Castle and Macleod's Tables are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (131 reviews)
"Minnie's room was very small but cute and clean. Walls are very thin so you hear everything around you."

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

Minnies Rooms
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.
Luxury Apartment in absolutely stunning seafront location, Isle of Skye.
Luxury Apartment in absolutely stunning seafront location, Isle of Skye.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Stay at this beach apartment in Dunvegan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and a garden. Popular attractions Harlosh Skerry and Macleod's Tables are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"We absolutely loved our stay at the Beacacarrie house! The property looks remote on the map but is quite convenient and we actually saw some of the most stunning and quintessential Scottish highland sceneries to and from the property (like the highland cows). The house is nice, spacious but cozy, ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2025

Luxury Apartment in absolutely stunning seafront location, Isle of Skye.
Dunvegan Camping Pods
Dunvegan Camping Pods
2 out of 5
Kilmuir, Dunvegan, Dunvegan, Scotland
Stay at this campsite in Dunvegan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Dunvegan Castle and Macleod's Tables are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (75 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Dunvegan Camping Pods
Harlosh Log Cabins, Cabin No 2
Harlosh Log Cabins, Cabin No 2
Dunvegan, Scotland
Stay at this cabin in Dunvegan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Harlosh Skerry and Harlosh Island are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"I sat out on the porch every night, gazing across the water at the misty mountains in the distance. What a beautiful place. The cabin is great, too - well-featured and cozy."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Harlosh Log Cabins, Cabin No 2
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 Dunvegan

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
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2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

Cities near Dunvegan