If you only have 2 days to explore the Isle of Skye, this guide will help you plan the perfect itinerary!

The Isle of Skye is one of the top places to visit in Scotland for good reasons! This area in the Scottish highlands is stunning, with lush green mountains, tall cliffs, waterfalls, ocean views, and fun hiking trails. I think it deserves a spot on every bucket list!

The Isle of Skye was at the top of our bucket list when we visited Scotland, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! We spent a few days exploring viewpoints, hiking many trails, and enjoying beautiful scenic drives, and it was incredible.

We hiked iconic trails, including the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, watched the sunset at Neist Point Lighthouse, and enjoyed scenic drives. I honestly wish we had another day to explore even more of the Isle of Skye, but two days was the perfect amount of time to see the highlights.

Although you could spend a week exploring the Isle of Skye, you can see most of the must-see attractions in two days. I created this guide with everything you need to know about spending 2 days on the Isle of Skye to help you plan the best trip!

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What to Know Before Visiting the Isle of Skye

Before we jump into the 2-day itinerary, I want to share things I am glad I knew before going to the Isle of Skye. These made a big difference in our trip!

Pack warm layers and a rain jacket. The Isle of Skye has about 265 days of rain, which is crazy! Although it rains a lot year-round, the wettest seasons are autumn and winter, and April, May, and June tend to be the driest months. We visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds. It only rained one day during our week in Scotland, and we had beautiful sunny weather for the two days we were on the Isle of Skye.
Pack the appropriate hiking gear. If you want to hike in Scotland, you need to make sure you are prepared for unpredictable weather. You should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, a rain jacket, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a hiking backpack to carry water, snacks, and other gear.
You need to drive on the left side of the road. Unlike most of Europe, the United Kingdom drives on the left, which is the opposite of what we usually drive. The driver is also on the right side of the car. It was, of course, a bit of a learning curve for us, but we got used to it quickly!
Most roads in the Isle of Skye are one lane. We did not expect most roads on the Isle of Skye to be narrow, and it was interesting, to say the least. You can drive in both directions, but because it is narrow, you have to pull over a lot on one of the many Passing Places. Another interesting factor is that the speed is about 60 MPH (97 KMH). Most drivers we saw were driving under the speed limit, but sometimes we came across someone flying down the road.
Arrive at the popular trailheads early. The Isle of Skye has over 600,000 visitors a year, and the popular trailheads fill up quickly, especially during peak season. We arrived at the Old Man of Storr around 9 AM, and the parking lot was almost full! I recommend arriving at the popular trailheads early in the morning to secure a spot and enjoy the trails with fewer crowds. Trust me, it is worth the early wake-up call!
Pack food and water while you are exploring. Most attractions in the Isle of Skye are remote and have few restaurants and stores nearby. I recommend packing food and water you will need while exploring and hiking for the day. Some popular parking lots and trailheads have small coffee and food trucks if you need more food.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash behind. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. If they do not have trash bins, you should take your trash with you and dispose of it once you find one.

How to Get to the Isle of Skye

Closest Airports

The best airports to fly into are Glasgow and Edinburgh. Although they are each a five-hour drive to the Isle of Skye, they have the most flights into Scotland.

We looked into flying to other airports, such as Inverness, but the flights were significantly more expensive, and there were fewer flight options.

We flew into Edinburgh and spent our first day exploring the city. I highly recommend it since Edinburgh is a stunning city with incredible architecture. It is a great way to start your trip in Scotland before heading to the Isle of Skye.

Isle of Skye Transportation

I recommend renting a car for your Scotland trip. Although you could technically use some public transportation, I personally do not think there is enough to warrant not renting a car.

We rented a car once we left the city, and it was the best decision. We loved being on our own schedule!

Where You Should Stay on the Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye has a few towns with accommodations, and I recommend staying on the eastern side since it is near most of the popular attractions on this itinerary.

Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye with the most accommodations, restaurants, and stores. It is a great place if you want to stay near the hustle and bustle, but if you want a quieter area, I recommend staying anywhere north of Portree along the coast.

We stayed near Brothers Point and Old Man of Storr, which was perfect for our trip! It allowed us to be close to many attractions and decreased our driving time.

Isle of Skye Hotels:

Isle of Skye Campgrounds:

What You Will See in 2 Days on the Isle of Skye (+ Map)

Below is a quick overview of the best things to do during your two days in the Isle of Skye. Then we will dive into a more in-depth itinerary of all these beautiful attractions!

Day 1:

Old Man of Storr
Lealt Falls
Mealt Falls
An Corran Beach
Brothers Point

Day 2:

The Quiraing
The Fairy Glen
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
Neist Point Lighthouse

2 Days on the Isle of Skye: My Recommended Itinerary

Are you ready to spend 2 amazing days on the Isle of Skye?!

We absolutely loved our days exploring the Isle of Skye, so I know you will quickly fall in love with the area. And two days give you plenty of time to see the highlights. Of course, if you have more time, I recommend allocating another day to see more of the Isle of Skye.

This itinerary is flexible, so you can switch your days or attractions within one day, depending on where you stay.

Day 1 on the Isle of Skye

You will explore some of the most iconic attractions on your first day on the Isle of Skye!

I recommend starting your day early to arrive at the Old Man of Storr trailhead before the crowds get there. And trust me, you will want more time to explore everything in this itinerary.

Get ready for beautiful hikes and stunning ocean views!

Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is arguably the most popular hike in the Isle of Skye. The views along the trail are absolutely stunning and will quickly become one of your favorite hikes.

I recommend starting your day early because the parking lot for the Old Man of Storr fills up quickly. We arrived at 9 AM, and it was almost full! If you are up for an early wake-up call, this trail is stunning for sunrise, and you will likely share it with only a few people.

The 3.4-mile Old Man of Storr Loop gains most of its elevation in the first mile. The trail is well-maintained and has many stone steps, which is nice! The views of the massive surrounding mountains along the first half of the trail are breathtaking.

I recommend hiking to the Old Man of Storr first to save the best views for last. Once you are near the Old Man of Storr, you should hike the loop around it because the views on every side are stunning, and you can get up close and personal with the huge rock formations.

You will then continue past the Old Man of Storr to the final lookout. The Storr Lookout Point was our favorite viewpoint on the trail because the 360-degree views are breathtaking, and it is why I recommend leaving it for last on the hike.

And once you are descending back towards the parking lot, you get breathtaking views of the ocean. One of the reasons I love this trail is that you get views along the entire thing!

Once you hike the Old Man of Storr, you will quickly realize why it is a popular hike in the Isle of Skye. Trust me, you will love the views!

Looking for a longer hike?

If you want to extend your hike near the Old Man of Storr, you are in luck! You can hike the 5.3-mile trail to the top of The Storr.

old man of storr viewpoint in isle of skye

Lealt Falls

Now, you will drive north on the Isle of Skye to a few beautiful viewpoints! The first stop is Lealt Falls, a beautiful waterfall on the side of the road.

The best part is that the area has various viewpoints of the waterfall for you to enjoy. The easiest viewpoint is from the platform near the parking lot overlooking the top of the falls, and it is perfect if you do not want to hike.

I recommend hiking the trail towards the ocean because it has another platform with stunning views overlooking the surrounding cliffs and water. The An leth-allt viewpoint is worth the short walk!

If you want to enjoy a less-popular hike to the bottom of the waterfall, you can continue descending along the path past the platform towards the ocean. The trail continues into the gorge, where you get incredible views of the waterfall. The trail is steep, but if you are up for the hike, it is a beautiful viewpoint.

We did not hike to the bottom of the waterfall because the trail was slippery from recent rain, so we stuck to the An leth-allt viewpoint near the platform. The entire area near Lealt Falls is breathtaking, so no matter how much you hike, you will be in awe of the views.

Mealt Falls

Mealt Falls is another iconic waterfall on the Isle of Skye, with a 180-foot drop off a huge cliff into the ocean.

One of my favorite things about Mealt Falls is that you can see the waterfall right from the parking lot. The viewpoint is easy to access, and you can look towards the waterfall cascading off the cliff. The viewpoint is not great for photos, but it is stunning nonetheless.

I recommend walking to the other side of the parking lot when you visit to take in the views looking south, too. This area overlooking the ocean is breathtaking!

An Corran Beach

On your way to An Corran Beach, you will pass through a small village with a few restaurants. They are great places to enjoy a meal before continuing your explorations for the day!

An Corran Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern coast of the Isle of Skye because its sandy beach sits at the base of the rocky cliffs, offering breathtaking views.

But that is not the best part! If you visit during low tide, you can see dinosaur footprints in the rocks! And if you are lucky, you may see the seals and dolphins that frequent this area along the coast.

Brothers Point

To end your epic first day exploring the Isle of Skye, you will hike one of my favorite hikes in the area! Brothers Point has become an incredibly popular hike on the Isle of Skye because it offers beautiful ocean and cliff views.

Since Brothers Point is becoming increasingly popular, I recommend hiking there in the late afternoon or near sunset. We only saw one other hiker when we visited in the late afternoon!

The 2-mile hike to Brothers Point is a little tricky because it is not well-marked, but it is worth the trip! Also, the trail travels through private property, so please be respectful.

The first section of the trail follows along a driveway towards a gate. Once past the gate, you will see a sign pointing you toward the trail leading to the rocky beach.

I loved this section of the trail because there were so many baby sheep when we visited! The trail then travels towards the ocean and follows along the rocky coastline.

Soon, you will see a warning sign as you start to ascend the grassy trail. From here, the trail is faint, so it is helpful to have a map.

The last section of the trail travels up a steep incline before reaching the viewpoint overlooking Brothers Point. It is one of my favorite views along the trail! You can either turn around here or continue hiking to the end of Brothers Point.

We decided to hike to the top of Brothers Point, which was well worth the effort for the stunning views! Either way, you will fall in love with the views.

brothers point hiking guide

Day 2 on The Isle of Skye

Your second and final day on the Isle of Skye explores my favorite trail and the most iconic lighthouse.

Again, I recommend waking up early to arrive at the trailhead before most people. We hiked the Quiraing midday, and it was incredibly crowded, and finding parking was a bit difficult. Arriving in the morning will help!

Get your cameras and hiking boots ready for another fun day!

The Quiraing

Are you ready to hike my favorite trail on the Isle of Skye? The Quiraing Circuit is a fun hike with stunning views overlooking the highlands, and although it is not easy, the views make the effort worth it!

The trailhead is off a road that was a bit of an adventure to drive, to say the least. The road was narrow, which was not surprising to us, but because we started the hike later in the day, the traffic near the trailhead was awful. The parking lot was very small, and they were doing trail work, so we waited almost 20 minutes before we found parking. I recommend starting the hike early in the morning to avoid traffic!

Although you can hike the 4.3-mile loop in either direction, I think it is easier to hike it clockwise to get the steep ascent out of the way. The ascent is steep, making you work for the views, but once you are at the top, you get incredible views overlooking the highlands!

The trail follows along the top before descending to another viewpoint on Fir Bhreugach. The 360-degree views are beautiful, overlooking the ocean, valley, and surrounding mountains. It is a great spot to enjoy a snack break before finishing The Quiraing Loop.

After Fir Bhreugach, the trail descends into the valley before slowly ascending towards The Prison. No, it is not a real prison! It is just the name of a beautiful rock formation.

Once the trail passes The Prison, the views are breathtaking! Honestly, these were my favorite views along the hike.

This section of The Quiraing can be a bit precarious because it has a steep drop-off. We did not have any issues on the hike, but it may not be for anyone who has a fear of heights.

Before you know it, the trail loops back to the parking lot, and you can continue on your explorations!

Looking for a shorter hike?

If you do not want to hike The Quiraing Loop, you can hike just to the Prison. The 2.5-mile trail is easier than The Quiraing but still offers stunning views!

The Fairy Glen

Ready to visit the land that is said to be the home of fairies?! Over 100,000 years ago, a landslide and erosion created this unique area known as the Fairy Glen. It looks like something out of a fairytale where fairies would live.

The Fairy Glen has a 1.1-mile loop that brings you around the glen, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. The trail travels under crooked trees, up hills with sweeping views, and around the Fairy Glen.

Even if you are not too into myths and legends, the views are worth the trip!

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

The drive from The Fairy Glen towards Dunvegan Castle is about an hour, but it is stunning and will go by quickly! Since the castle closes at 5:30, I recommend exploring it before getting dinner in a nearby town.

Dunvegan Castle is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, and the same family has lived in it for over 800 years! The property is absolutely stunning, sitting in a lush environment with gorgeous ocean views.

If you want to explore the castle and gardens, you have to pay a fee, but it is worth it to see the beautiful grounds.

If you have time, you can also take a seal boat tour! The tour brings you to see the Loch Dunvegan seal colony, and it is a very fun experience if you have time for it when you visit Dunvegan Castle.

Neist Point Lighthouse

To end your incredible last day on the Isle of Skye, I recommend visiting the iconic Neist Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse is one of the most famous in Scotland because of its location and beauty. Trust me when I say it is stunning!

Neist Point Lighthouse sits on a stunning cliff on the western side of the Isle of Skye, making it the best place to watch the sunset over the ocean. And the best part? You do not need to hike much to see the stunning lighthouse.

You have two ways to view the lighthouse: from the cliff or up close and personal. The iconic view of Neist Point Lighthouse is from the cliffs next to the parking lot, and it is easy to find since many people will be there for sunset.

This area was my favorite because you get an incredible view of the cliffs leading up to the lighthouse. It is breathtaking!

If you want to get an up-close and personal view of Neist Point Lighthouse, you can hike a 1.7-mile trail to the lighthouse. The trail begins descending steep stairs before flattening out as it travels towards the lighthouse. From here, you can explore the grounds while taking in the gorgeous cliffs and ocean views.

If you have time, I recommend arriving before sunset so you have enough time to hike the trail to Neist Point Lighthouse and then get up to the cliffs near the parking lot to watch the sunset. Since this is a popular area for sunset, you will not be alone, but the views make it all worth it!

Isle of Skye Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2 days enough time on the Isle of Skye?

Yes, 2 days is enough time to see the highlights on the Isle of Skye.

We spent 2 days exploring the Isle of Skye, including hiking a few trails and enjoying scenic drives.

Of course, if you have more time, I recommend allocating an additional day to spread out your itinerary. But if you only have two days, you can see most of the highlights on the Isle of Skye!

What should I not miss on the Isle of Skye?

A few must-see things on the Isle of Skye are:

Old Man of Storr
Lealt Falls
Mealt Falls
Brothers Point
The Quiraing
Neist Point Lighthouse

I could include so many things you should do, but these are my favorite places I think are nonnegotiables for every trip.

Do you need a car on the Isle of Skye?

Technically, you do not need to rent a car because you can use public transportation, but I recommend renting one for your trip. It is much easier than using public transportation, in my opinion.

Stagecoach is the primary public transportation option for the Isle of Skye. If you decide against renting a car, I recommend staying in Portree since most bus lines start here.

What is the best time to visit the Isle of Skye?

The best time to visit the Isle of Skye is late spring or early fall to have beautiful weather and fewer crowds.

The Isle of Skye has about 265 days of rain, which is crazy! Although it rains a lot year-round, the wettest seasons are autumn and winter, and April, May, and June tend to be the driest months.

We visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds. It only rained one day during our week in Scotland, and we had beautiful sunny weather for the two days we were on the Isle of Skye.

If you want to plan an incredible trip to the Isle of Skye, this guide is the perfect place to start planning. I included everything you need to know about spending the best two days on the Isle of Skye!