The Isle of Skye — Scotland’s Magical Island For First Time Visitors
We’ve recently returned from our latest road trip to the dramatic Isle of Skye - we’ve visited so many times, yet we always discover something new and magical on this Scottish island.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do, where to stay, eat, and how to get around the Isle of Skye.
By: Lesley Stewart | April 2025
Widely regarded as Scotland’s most spectacular island, the Isle of Skye needs little introduction. Its dramatic landscape of rocky coastlines, wild mountainscapes, and magical vistas beckons visitors from around the globe to visit its most scenic parts.
However, with its remote location on the West Coast of Scotland and the journey requiring a ferry or road bridge, planning a trip to this island requires careful consideration.
I vividly remember my first trip to Skye.
Travelling from Edinburgh, I was completely overwhelmed by how much time to spend, where to go, and how to navigate the remote peninsulas. There are endless ways to build your Skye itinerary; Skye is surprisingly vast, something that catches out unsuspecting first-time visitors.
Throw in slow country roads and single-track lanes, and it’s safe to say that getting around the Isle of Skye can be tricky.
These days, I’m lucky to live in the Highlands and frequently visit the island. After my most recent trip, I was reminded just how incredible it is to travel there - the island culture, the vibrancy of the villages, and the exceptional food are just a few reasons I keep returning.
So, when I crafted this 3-day itinerary for Skye, I focused on those exact things. Alongside this guide, both are designed for first-timers and include the best places you can’t miss on your first trip to Skye, plus practical tips to make visiting easier.
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How much time on Skye
While I usually recommend five days on Skye, you can see quite a bit of the island in three days. You’ll get a feel for the island, see its highlights, and sample some fantastic eateries.
However, you should be prepared for long days to squeeze everything!
Remember that you also need to factor in getting to and from the island, which can take around 5 hours per journey. There are heaps of attractions to see along the way, so your first and last days can be jam-packed.
If you do have more time, consider extending your trip to the island. With additional days, you can visit Skye’s lesser-visited places, travel a little slower, and immerse yourself in the island and its culture.
Getting to and around Skye
Chances are you’ll be visiting Skye from Edinburgh or Glasgow. You can take the Calmac ferry from Mallaig, going “over the sea to Skye”. Or drive over the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh. There’s also a tiny ferry from Glenelg, which is a little more involved but a real adventure.
We tend to visit Skye from Edinburgh and create a ‘loop’ with the ferry and bridge. In my opinion, this is the absolute best way to journey to Skye, and there are so many amazing places to visit along the way.
You can find this exact route in my Skye itinerary.
Finally, while there is public transport to and on the island, the best way to explore Skye is by driving yourself.
This is a remote place; a car is essential if you want the best experience with the most freedom. We use Discover Cars for our car rental in Scotland, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Hertz, Enterprise, or Sixt.
Island geography
When it comes to attractions, Skye can be divided into a handful of regions, or more accurately, peninsulas.
You’ll find Skye’s best things to do and see spread across the peninsulas, plus excellent places to eat and stay — read this guide to Skye’s regions for a map of the very best options.
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Trotternish: In the northeast, this is where you’ll find many of Skye's most popular destinations, including the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls, Brother's Point, Fairy Glen, and the town of Portree.
Waternish & Duirinish: An hour’s drive west from Portree will take you to these remote peninsulas, best known for their foodie scene and gastronomic stays, Dunvegan Castle, and Neist Point.
Minginish: Southwest of Portree, this peninsula is best known for Carbost, Talisker Distillery, Fairy Pools, Glenbrittle, and the old bridge at Sligachan. The latter two are the starting point for challenging hikes into the Cuillin mountain range.
Strathaird & Sleat: To the south of Skye, these lesser-visited peninsulas are where you’ll find Elgol, Loch Coruisk boat trips, Armadale Castle, the ferry port, and Torbhaig Distillery.
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Travel tip: From experience, it’s best to plan logical day trips from your base to each peninsula or a combination of peninsulas, which should limit how often you crisscross the island. Remember, the island is bigger than you think, and the single-track roads can make getting around slow.
OUR GUIDES TO SKYE
BEST THINGS TO SEE & DO
A round up of all the best things to do, see, and places to visit on the Isle of Skye. You’ll find all these spots, and more, in our Skye itinerary.
Driving on Skye
Driving on Skye is easy - as long as you understand the island’s unique road network.
The first thing to be aware of is the type of roads on Skye, which can be divided into two types. First, a handful of main roads connect the road bridge and ferry terminals to towns like Portree, Broadford, and Dunvegan. These are standard double-lane roads and won’t present any challenges.
Then there is the island’s network of single-track roads.
Somewhat more complicated, these narrow lanes with passing places crisscross more remote areas, like The Quiraing, Waternish, Sleat, and the Fairy Pools.
Now, as an (adopted) Highlands local, single-track roads and passing places are standard in my everyday journeys. However, driving on these narrow roads (and knowing how to use passing places) is generally a learning curve for first-time visitors on Skye.
If this is you, please read my tips on how to drive single-track roads before starting your journey. Trust me; it’ll help you avoid tricky situations!
Other things to be aware of when driving on Skye?
Sheep on the road (yup, they’re pretty much everywhere).
Tyre-busting potholes (also everywhere).
Signs for tourist attractions tend to be brown (though not everything is signposted).
Allowing faster drivers to pass (the locals will drive faster than you; they’re not on holiday).
Driving on the left (for our US and European readers).
You should download Google Maps offline (signal can be sparse in remote areas).
Where to stay
We think Portree, the island’s capital, is the perfect place to stay. This is where you’ll find the majority of hotels, restaurants, and amenities, plus it’s a good location for day trips to Skye’s most famous places.
However, there are truly special stays scattered across the island, many with breathtaking views and gorgeously remote locations.
You can read our favourite Skye hotels here, but as a quick guide, I recommend:
Edinbane Lodge: for the best culinary getaway with stylish rooms.
Marmalade Hotel: for the best chic stay in Portree.
Cuillin Hills Hotel: for the best waterfront hotel in Portree.
Ullinish House: for the best stylish stay in a gloriously remote locale.
Travel tip: Skye’s accommodation books up early. This is especially true during summer, when the population swells and many hotels are booked a year in advance. Portree is the most popular place for visitors to stay, so be sure to look in more remote parts of the island if you’re struggling to find accommodation.
The weather and what to pack
The weather on Skye is best described as unpredictable.
It’s entirely possible to get soaked and sunbathe on the same day (sometimes in the same hour) while the weather can be completely different at opposite ends of the island.
We’ve been freezing and wind-blasted on the Old Man of Storr in August and explored wild beaches in the warm November sunshine. And then there was a July camping trip when the storms were so bad we binned the broken tent and booked a hotel…
That's to say, you can’t plan a trip around the weather—or your idea of traditional seasons!
My advice is to pack a good-quality waterproof jacket, a warm jacket, or a wind layer that can squeeze into your bag when you don’t need it, and wear layers you can take on and off easily. My Scotland packing guide has a comprehensive list.
Regarding footwear, remember that Skye is an island for outdoor adventures, and all the best things to do here involve a walk of some description. There is nothing worse than finding your trainers filled with mud or wet sand! Do yourself a favour and bring walking shoes.
Travel Planning Service
We’re local Scottish experts, and we’ve personally visited each of our destinations, so we know exactly what makes a Skye trip special. Let us know what your ultimate road trip looks like, and allow us to take care of the rest.
A complete list of resources for planning your next trip to the Isle of Skye.