The Ultimate Isle of Skye Itinerary: 10 Things to Do on Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful areas in the Scotland highlands that should be on every bucket list! It has lush green landscapes, tall cliffs, cascading waterfalls, fun hiking trails, and stunning views. It is easy to see why it is one of the most popular places in Scotland!
The Isle of Skye was at the top of our Scotland bucket list, so we planned our itinerary around it. We spent a few days exploring everything the Isle of Skye offered, and it was perfect! It gave us plenty of time to see everything on our Isle of Skye itinerary.
If you want to visit the Isle of Skye, you are in the right place! I created an in-depth guide for visiting this beautiful area in Scotland, allowing you to make the perfect Isle of Skye itinerary. This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do on the Isle of Skye to add to your bucket list!
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Tips for Visiting the Isle of Skye
Pack warm layers and a rain jacket. The Isle of Skye has about 265 days of rain, making it crucial to pack a rain jacket. Although it rains a lot year-round, the wettest seasons tend to be autumn and winter. April, May, and June tend to be the driest months. We visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds, and it only rained one day during our week in Scotland. We had beautiful sunny weather while on the Isle of Skye.
Spend at least 2-3 days on the Isle of Skye. To experience everything the Isle of Skye offers, you will need at least a few days in the area. We spent two days on the Isle of Skye, which allowed us enough time to do everything on your itinerary. But we could have easily extended our stay to 3-4 days to explore even more of the Isle of Skye.
Arrive at the popular trailheads early. The Isle of Skye has over 600,000 visitors a year, and the popular hiking 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!
Prepare to drive on the left side of the road. Unlike most of Europe, the United Kingdom drives on the left side, which is the opposite of what we usually drive. The driver is also on the right side of the car. You get used to this quickly, but it is good to keep that in mind if you plan to rent a car.
Most roads on the Isle of Skye are one lane. We did not expect to have most roads on the Isle of Skye to be one lane, and it was interesting. You can drive both directions on the roads, but it is tricky because it is one lane, so you pull over a lot while driving on one of the many Passing Places. The other factor is the speed is about 60 MPH. Most drivers do not drive that fast because the roads are one lane, but some do, making it tricky. You just have to stay aware and be mindful while you are driving.
Pack food and water while you are exploring. Most attractions on 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. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away once you reach a trash bin.
How to Get to Isle of Skye
The best airports to fly into when you visit Isle of Skye are Glasgow and Edinburgh. Each is about a five-hour drive to the Isle of Skye, but 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 they had fewer flight options.
We flew into Edinburgh and spent our first day in Scotland 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 to get settled in before heading towards the Isle of Skye.
I also recommend renting a car to explore the Isle of Skye because it gives you flexibility during your trip. You can also go with a tour company for your trip, but renting a car is better, in my opinion.
Where to Stay on Isle of Skye
Although the Isle of Skye has many towns to find accommodations, I recommend staying on the eastern side since most of the best things to do are there. It will decrease your driving time, allowing more time to explore!
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 Brother's Point and Old Man of Storr, which was perfect for our trip since it was close to many of the attractions on our Isle of Skye itinerary.
Isle of Skye Hotels:
Isle of Skye Campgrounds:
What to Pack for Isle of Skye
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Isle of Skye Attractions Map
Isle of Skye Itinerary: Best Things to Do on Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is huge, extending to over 639 square miles, and has many things you could add to your itinerary. I have included a few of my favorite things to do on the Isle of Skye that are must-adds to your itinerary. Get ready for an epic trip through beautiful landscapes!
Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is arguably the most popular hike on the Isle of Skye because the views along the trail are absolutely stunning, making it a must-add attraction to your Isle of Skye itinerary. It was one of our favorite hikes on the Isle of Skye because the rock formations and mountains were breathtaking along the trail.
The trailhead is just 15 minutes north of Portree and at the beginning of a beautiful scenic drive along A855. The 3.4-mile Old Man of Storr Loop gains most of its elevation in the first mile, but the trail is well-maintained and has many stone steps to help. The views along the first half of the trail are breathtaking, looking towards the massive surrounding mountains. The views also help distract you from the elevation gain!
I recommend hiking to the Old Man of Storr first to leave the best views for last. The views on every side are stunning, and you can get an up-close and personal view of the huge rock formations
The trail then continues to the final lookout with stunning views of the surrounding area. The Storr Lookout Point is a beautiful place to take a quick snack break before making the descent. It seemed that most people only hiked to the Old Man of Storr and did not continue to the final lookout, so it is a nice area to enjoy the views with fewer crowds.
This area has many interconnecting trails, making it crucial to stay on the correct path back towards the parking lot.
If you want a longer hike, you are in luck! You can also make the hike longer by hiking 5.3 miles round trip to the top of The Storr. We heard from a few hikers that the hike was stunning!
Because the Old Man of Storr is a popular hike, the parking lot fills up early. We arrived at 9 AM, and it was almost full, so I recommend arriving as early as you can to secure a parking spot and enjoy the trail with fewer people. If you are up for an early wake-up call, this trail is stunning during sunrise, and you will likely only share it with a few people.
Once you hike the Old Man of Storr, you will see why everyone adds it to their Isle of Skye itinerary. And you will quickly fall in love with the hike!
Lealt Falls
Continuing north on A855, you can visit many roadside attractions. Lealt Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the side of the road on the Isle of Skye just north of the Old Man of Storr, making it a perfect thing to add to your Isle of Skye itinerary. And the best part? It has various viewpoints of the waterfall for you to enjoy.
The easiest viewpoint to get to is close to the parking lot on a platform overlooking the top of the falls. 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 view point is worth the short walk!
If you want to 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 falls! 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, but we could see the waterfall from the trail just past 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.
Brother’s Point
Brother’s Point is another beautiful hike on the Isle of Skye, offering stunning views overlooking the ocean, cliffs, and lush landscape. The parking lot is just north of The Glenview and fills up quickly because it can only fit a handful of cars. I recommend hiking it in the afternoon to avoid most crowds. We hiked it after dinner and only saw one other hiker!
The 2-mile round trip hike to Brother’s Point is a little tricky since it is not well-marked, but it is worth the trip! The trail is on 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 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 travels towards the ocean and follows along the rocky coastline. Soon, there is a warning sign you will pass as you start to ascend the grassy trail. 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 Brother’s Point. It is one of my favorite views along the trail! You can either turn around here or continue hiking to the end of Brother’s Point.
We decided to hike to the top of Brother’s Point, which was well worth the effort for the stunning views! While we stopped at the top, we saw someone continue to the tip of the point. Either way, you will fall in love with the views and see why it is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Skye.
Mealt Falls
Just north of Brother’s Point is another stunning roadside attraction. Mealt Falls is a 180-foot waterfall cascading off a huge cliff into the ocean, and yes, it is as beautiful as it sounds!
And the best part? You can see the waterfall from the parking lot, making it perfect to add to your Isle of Skye itinerary. The viewpoint is easy to get to and enjoy the view of the water cascading off the cliff. The viewpoint is not great for photos, but it is stunning nonetheless.
After you visit the viewpoint of Mealt Falls, I recommend walking to the other side of the parking lot to enjoy the views looking south, too. You will quickly see why this is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Skye!
An Corran Beach
An Corran Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern coast of the Isle of Skye and has an interesting history. The sandy beach sits at the base of the rocky cliffs, offering breathtaking views. Since it is a lesser-known attraction on the Isle of Skye, it is a great spot to escape the crowds.
But that is not the best part! If you visit during low tide, which I highly recommend, 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.
If you want to learn more about the Dinosaurs, you can visit the Staffin Dinosaur Museum, just north of Mealt Falls. It has many dinosaur fossils and is a fun thing to do on the Isle of Skye for the entire family!
The Quiraing
If you are looking for one of the most beautiful hikes on the Isle of Skye to add to your itinerary, the Quiraing Circuit is perfect. It is a fun hike with stunning views overlooking the highlands, and although it is not easy, the views make the effort worth it! It was my favorite hike on the Isle of Skye because the views were unmatched.
The Quiraing trailhead is off a road that was a bit of an adventure to drive because it is one lane, which is not conducive to the crowds the area sees. 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 could make it to the trailhead and find 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, it may be easier to hike it clockwise to get the steep ascent out of the way. The steep ascend makes 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, offering 360-degree views overlooking the ocean, valley, and surrounding mountains. We enjoyed a snack break here before finishing The Quiraing Loop.
After Fir Bhreugach, the trail descends into the valley before slowly ascending towards a beautiful rock formation called The Prison. Once the trail passes The Prison, the views are breathtaking! Honestly, these were my favorite views along the hike. I could not stop taking photos because I was in awe of the stunning views overlooking the highlands.
If you do not want to hike The Quiraing Loop, you can hike just to the Prison. The 2.5-mile round-trip trail is easier than The Quiraing but still offers stunning views overlooking the highlands!
The Fairy Glen
Over 100,000 years ago, a landslide and erosion created this unique area known as the Fairy Glen. The Fairy Glen has a 1.1-mile round-trip 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
Now, it is time to explore the western side of the Isle of Skye! The Dunvegan Castle is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland because it has had the same family living in it for over 800 years! The property is absolutely stunning because it sits in a lush environment with gorgeous ocean views.
If you want to explore the castle and gardens, there is a fee to enter, but it is worth it to see the beautiful grounds. If you have time and want an even more fun experience, you can 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
Neist Point lighthouse is one of the most famous in Scotland because of its location and beauty. It sits on a stunning cliff on the western side of the Isle of Skye, making it the most beautiful place to watch the sunset over the ocean. Trust me when I say it is stunning and needs to be on your Isle of Skye itinerary!
There are two ways to view the lighthouse: from the cliff and up close and personal. The iconic view of Neist Point Lighthouse is from the cliffs next to the parking lot. It will be 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 an up-close and personal view of the lighthouse, you are in luck! A 1.7-mile round-trip trail brings you to the lighthouse with beautiful ocean views. The trail begins descending some steep stairs before flattening out as it travels towards the lighthouse where you can explore the grounds while taking in the gorgeous cliffs and ocean views.
If you have time, I recommend arriving before sunset to allow you 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!
Fairy Pools
I hope you are not over waterfalls because you still have one more place to add to your Isle of Skye itinerary! The Fairy Pools are in the southern section of the Isle of Skye near Glen Brittle and consist of a series of small waterfalls with beautiful mountain views.
The 2.6-mile round-trip trail to the Fairy Pools is well-maintained and easy to follow. Most people turn around after the first waterfall, but you can continue further to explore more of the falls and pools in the area. The waterfalls are beautiful after recent rain, and the bright blue pools will take your breath away. The entire area is stunning!
You can also extend your hike if you want a more strenuous trail. Once past the Fairy Pools, you can continue a big loop around the area, making it a 5-mile round trip loop. It is a great way to escape the crowds, too!
Although the Fairy Pools are beautiful during any season, the best time to visit is after recent heavy rain. When we visited, the waterfalls barely had any water, so it did not look like much of a waterfall. It was still beautiful, but it can be much better after some rain.
If you want to visit the Isle of Skye, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about creating the best Isle of Skye itinerary, including the best things to do.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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