Isle of Skye - Our Top 7 Places to Visit

A SCOTLAND ISLAND ADVENTURE

The Island of Skye is situated off the West Coast of mainland Scotland. It’s the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. With rugged landscapes, natural beauty and magical coastlines, Skye has a lot to offer and is the perfect winter getaway!

These are 7 of our favourite places to visit!

Old Man of Storr

One of Isle of Skye’s most iconic spots! The Storr is a rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula. The hike takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete.

We would definitely recommend an early start to watch the sunrise overlooking the island. Seeing the sunrise over the water, and watching the sky turn various shades of orange and pink was such a highlight from our trip.

The start of the hike is right by the main road from Portree to Staffin and there’s a car park at the bottom so it’s easily accessible. Take waterproofs as even on a warm day the weather can drastically change once you reach the top!

Find a bothy

A bothy is a simple shelter, usually left unlocked and available for anyone to use free of charge. They are designed to be a roof over your head, with either very basic or no facilities. They are the perfect place to take a break from your hike, watch the whales and take in the natural beauty.

You can find more information, the bothy code, and locations of bothies here. There are 3 bothies on the Isle of Skye and many more all around Scotland. They are not always easy to get to, so prepare well! It’s always nice to leave some food, a book or something practical for the next people using the bothy.

Read our article “12 REASONS TO ADD STUNNING SCOTLAND TO YOUR BUCKET LIST” for more information on why you should visit and what there is to see and do! From dramatic landscapes to wonderful waterfalls.

Portree

Portree is the largest town on the east side of the Island and is the capital of the island but it’s still a very small fishing village! With its colourful houses and quaint cafes, it’s the perfect place to explore when you need a break from all the hiking!

Our favourite place for a bite to eat and brunch is Café Arriba and the Antlers Bar and Grill at the Portree Hotel for dinner.

You have the opportunity to see the white-tailed eagle (the largest bird of prey in Britain) by taking a boat trip from Portree from the harbour right by the famous multi-coloured houses.

The Fairy Pools

The Fairy Pools are located near the village of Carbost in Glenbrittle. They’re known for their rock pools of crystal clear spring water on the river Brittle fed by multiple waterfalls. The water of the Fairy Pools is crystal clear, perfect for any adventurous (or crazy!) swimmers brave enough to enter the icy water!

The complete distance there and back to the first main waterfall and pool is 1.5 miles with the average time to complete the walk being 40 minutes.

Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

Kilt Rock is a sea cliff in north east Trotternish, in between Portree and Staffin. The area is famous for the Mealt Waterfall which dramatically freefalls off the cliff for 60m into the Sound of Raasay below.

The Sound of Raasay is part of a larger body of water called The Minch which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. This means Mealt Falls is one of just a small number of waterfalls in the world which empties right into the ocean, making this waterfall extra special.

There is a car park next to the viewpoint for easy access to see the waterfall without any walking needed.

Read our article “8 SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS TO VISIT IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS” for even more waterfalls to visit nearby.

Neist Point lighthouse

Neist Point is one of the most famous lighthouses in Scotland and is at the most westerly point of Skye near Glendale. It’s a 30-minute walk down to the lighthouse or a 5-minute walk to the top for a great view of and a beautiful location to watch the sunset.

Read our article “8 REASONS TO VISIT SCOTLAND IN WINTER” for even more reasons to add Scotland to your bucket list. From snowy landscapes to illuminating skies.

The Quiraing

The Quiraing is a landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, the northernmost summit of the Trotternish on the Isle of Skye. You can hike around the entire Quiraing which is about 4.5 miles. You don’t have to hike to get an amazing view of the dramatic cliffs and the view to the sea as it’s just a couple minutes walk from the car park you can get the stunning views while watching the sun come up!

WHERE WE’VE STAYED

AIRBNB’S

£ | If you’re visiting Skye for a short stay and you want somewhere cheap and cheerful then try a private room from this Airbnb host. If you’re going to be out exploring all day and just need a place to sleep then these rooms are perfect. Also situated right in the town of Portree, they’re within walking distance of restaurants, shops and boat trips.

££ | If you’re staying for more than a few days and want somewhere cosy then try this little cottage called The Croft in Staffin. You can’t get any cosier than a log fire with a beautiful view.