Isle of Skye Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Isle of Skye showing a bay or harbour, a beach and a pebble beach
Isle of Skye featuring a lighthouse, mountains and rugged coastline
Isle of Skye showing a pebble beach, a sandy beach and tranquil scenes
Isle of Skye featuring tranquil scenes and mountains
Isle of Skye featuring a sandy 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 which includes 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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Duisdalemore

Duisdalemore is well liked for its restaurants. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Gallery An Talla Dearg and Camas Croise.

Duisdalemore
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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
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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
Dunollie Hotel
Dunollie Hotel
3 out of 5
Broadford, Strath, Scotland
The price is £169 per night from 11 Jul to 12 Jul
£169
11 Jul - 12 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Strath. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
6.8/10 (927 reviews)
Great Location!
"Property location is great and accesible. Free parking on site is a big help. Breakfast is quite nice and the view is decent. Staff is courteous and prompt. Overall a very comfortable stay."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Dunollie Hotel
Kings Arms Hotel
Kings Arms Hotel
2 out of 5
King Street, Kyleakin, Kyleakin, Scotland
The price is £179 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
£179
12 Jul - 13 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kyleakin. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
6.4/10 (847 reviews)
Overnight pre-ferry
"Perfect for an overnight stay en route to the ferry. Has a public and hotel bar and short walk to a few other options."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Kings Arms Hotel
Isle of Skye Guest house
Isle of Skye Guest house
3 out of 5
Kyleakin Roundabout, Kyleakin, Scotland
The price is £241 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£241
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Kyleakin. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions Skye Bridge ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (272 reviews)
"Good location, plenty of available parking, easy checkin."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 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.
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! (68 reviews)
"This property is amazing. Just as pictured. It is a bit remote as it is off the main roadway a bit but that is part of what I loved. The views from the porch were gorgeous. I only had one need to contact the property manager about a question but was responded to very quickly. Would absolutely stay ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Ardcana
Cosy caravan in central location on the Isle of Skye.
Cosy caravan in central location on the Isle of Skye.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Stay at this holiday home in Strath. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Isle of Skye Market Square and Giant MacAskill Musuem are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
A Caravan, But Comfortable And Convenient
"The Caravan is in a good location, in an easy walk to town. Yes, it has a view of the driveway, as in the photos, but you can also see the bay and mountains beyond. The heating is excellent, the beds are comfy and we felt very good here. The kitchen is reasonably well-equiped and is a bonus, as there ..."

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Cosy caravan in central location on the Isle of Skye.
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! (106 reviews)
"Loved staying in the wonderfully appointed cabin, it had everything you could need for basic meal cooking. The shower as terrific, as was the bed. The cabin was very clean. This was one of our favorite places to stay on our 2+ week long Scotland trip. The views from the cabin were especially nice ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2025

House Of Juniper - The 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

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