Things To See On The Isle of Skye: 8 Must See Sights

Plan Your Isle of Skye Itinerary

The Isle of Skye is Scotland’s largest and most northern island of the Inner Hebrides. It is easily accessible by the Skye Bridge from the mainland and should be included on everyone’s trip to the Highlands.

While the Isle of Skye is not overly large at 80 km long and 40 km wide, its landscapes and scenery are the most beautiful in the country.

We really recommend taking a tour to visit this area since the driving can be tricky at some points. And especially because the setting is so incredible, you really don’t want to miss anything! Come along as we share the must-see sights.

✅ Our 3-day tour from Edinburgh was perfect, incorporating all the best things to see on the Isle of Skye. This is the most popular tour operator in Scotland, and they provide an amazing experience. We highly recommend this tour to fully enjoy the Isle of Skye in a stress-free manner.

Best Places To See When You Visit Skye

1. Portree

This charming fishing village, located on the east side of the island, is the main town and capital of the Isle of Skye. The colourful shops along the sheltered bay make for a picturesque spot.

Portree is large enough that all the necessary services are here, such as accommodation, restaurants, supermarkets, banks, gas stations, and a tourist office to assist with planning if you are exploring on your own.

Portree can be perfect for an overnight base since it is very convenient. Everything is walkable within the small downtown area. There is a wide variety of accommodation styles, and everyone is super friendly and welcoming. We would recommend staying here for a comfortable experience.

✅ If you are already in the Highlands, you could consider this highly rated one-day tour that covers the major highlights of the Isle of Skye plus Eilean Donan Castle.

2. Old Man of Storr

When you see pictures of the Isle of Skye, most often it will be of the Old Man of Storr that you can see from many locations on the island on a clear day. Located on the Trotternish Ridge, the Old Man is a 55 metre high basalt rock that rises up from the top of the craggy mountain.  We have seen similar basalt columns, but in the sea, in Iceland.

This mountain ridge was created 60 million years ago by lava flowing underneath that caused the land to slide and eventually collapse, creating the cliffs that exist today. The result in this area is a striking set of peaks. We saw something similar with the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains of Australia; however, those rock formations aren’t quite as old.

The walk to the viewpoint at the top is one of the most popular hikes on the Isle, so depending on when you are visiting, it may be quite busy. The trail is just under 4 kms and is considered a medium grade, meaning most of it will be on even ground, but it does have some steeper sections. Plan on 1 1/2 hours to complete the round-trip walk from the car park.

When we visited, we didn’t do the walk, but my son did, so these photos show his walk along the path and the best view from the top.

3. Kilt Rock

When travelling along the Trotternish Peninsula, make sure to stop to see Kilt Rock. It is easily accessible from the car park and provides a view of a magnificent cliff, rising 90 metres above the sea, of basalt rock that columns look similar to the tartan of a kilt.

At this spot is also Mealt Falls. This freshwater waterfall cascades over the cliff down over the dark rock and is stunning to see. It was used as a navigational point by sailors back in the day. But nowadays it is just a splendid natural spot to admire.

4. Quiraing

The northernmost area of the Trotternish Ridge includes the land area called Quiraing. 

Created by the landslips mentioned above, now, what you see in this area is a large crater surrounded by craggy rocks, creating a stunning landscape.  This entire area seems almost mystical when gazing down upon it. 

Since we had limited time, we saw this area from various viewpoints, and were very happy that we had a driver since the road in this area is precarious. Some highlights included The Needle – a 37m high pointed column and The Table – a flat grassy area.

There is a hike that meanders through this gorgeous terrain – the full loop is 6 1/2 kms. It is considered a hard walk with narrow sections and rocky terrain, and it does take 2 1/2 to 3 hours, so plan accordingly.

5. Fairy Glen

Continuing along the Trotternish loop, this pretty area is an amazing geological wonder, created 100,000 years ago by glacier landslides. Erosion and rain have shaped the sandstone into an interesting countryside of grass covered mounds, large boulders, little pools, and a basalt formation that looks a bit like a castle sitting on the top of the hill.

While there haven’t been any actual fairy sightings here, the charming location looks like there easily could be. We thought this was the most beautiful place on the whole island.

Plan enough time to do the 1 1/2 km walk around the area. If you can, visit either early or later in the day to catch this spot at the golden hour. It is magical.

✅ Planning to do some exploring on your own, but would like a driver for a part of the trip? Then this 5-star tour provides a perfect option that you can pick up in Portree. It covers all the major sights with a professional guide so you can enjoy the incredible scenery without the hassle of driving.

6. Dunvegan Castle & Gardens

This incredible property is a genuine home and has been for the past 800 years. In fact, it is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. The Dunvegan Castle is home to the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod, this is a wonderful place that has been transformed from a fortress into a spot that highlights the legends and ancestry of this important family.

Inside, visitors can see beautifully decorated rooms such as the dining room, sitting rooms, office and bedrooms. It is decorated with historical paintings, artwork and artifacts that have been collected over the years by the family.

The fairy flag is the most important treasure of the Clan, and many legends tell the tales of how the fairy flag has protected and guided the family over the years. It is proudly displayed behind glass now and respected deeply.

The Estate encompasses 41,000 acres with the castle nestled along the Loch Dunvegan. Surrounding the house are five acres of manicured gardens similar to those we have seen at homes like Kylemore Abbey and Dunrobin Castle.

We loved walking through the water gardens over the bridges and viewing the waterfalls. There is a rose garden that was not currently in bloom, but we could imagine how lovely it would be in the season. And in the walled gardens, there was a wide variety of plant and flower species.

Once you pass through the woodland area, you come down to the lake, and the views from here are also gorgeous. The entire property is well worth exploring. Keep in mind the castle and grounds are only open April 1 – October 15.

7. Fairy Pools

Also located on the Dunvegan Estate, about 30 minutes away, are the popular Fairy Pools. The closest village is Carbost, and you can find a car park by following the signs from the B8009 along a single-track road. From the car park, there is a walk of 2 1/2 kms along a gravel path through some majestic landscape.

There is a large waterfall, but also smaller ones if you continue on the path. While the water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming, it is extremely cold, so be prepared. This is a free attraction on the Isle of Skye.

While this is now a natural, peaceful location, it is said that there was a horrific battle here between the MacLeods and MacDonalds, where so many people died, the water of the pools ran red. Thankfully, the clans never fought again.

8. Fairy Bridge

While this 19th century stone bridge is scenic, the reason for visiting has more to do with the intriguing legend surrounding it. It is called the Fairy bridge as a result of a MacLeod chief who fell in love with a Faerie princess. Her father originally forbade the marriage, but eventually relented and allowed them to be together for 1 year plus 1 day.

When the time came for her to leave, they parted at the bridge, and she left behind a silk shawl for her baby to be wrapped in. The shawl was thought to have magical properties that would protect the clan. And this is thought to be the same fairy flag that hangs in Dunvegan Castle today! Check out the bridge located on the way to Waternish.

BONUS: Eilean Donan Castle

While not technically located on the Isle of Skye, you essentially have to pass by the area to get to Skye, so I am including this impressive castle as a bonus place to see since it is iconic to the Scottish Highlands.

Located on an island of its own, connected to the mainland by a stone bridge, this location of the castle dates to the 13th century. However, over the years, there have been 4 different structures built here due to ongoing battles.

Many films and TV shows have been shot here, most notably James Bond: The World Is Not Enough and Outlander. And they even host weddings, which would make for an amazing backdrop for photos. You have the choice to visit both the outside grounds and the inside of the castle.

FAQs

Where Is The Isle Of Skye?

The Isle of Skye is part of the Hebrides Island chain, located on the west coast of Scotland. The closest airport is in Inverness

How Much Time Do You Need To See The Isle Of Skye?

Three days on the island would be a good amount of time to cover the major sights.

What Is The Isle of Skye Known For?

We thought the Isle of Skye was one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. The rugged landscapes and spectacular scenery, paired with castles, quaint villages and friendly people, make it a top road trip in Scotland to experience.

Places To Stay In Isle of Skye

Basing yourself in Portree gives you access to all the services you may need, and its central location allows for easy access to visit the Isle of Skye. The Bosville Hotel is situated right in the centre of town. With 20 rooms and a restaurant and bar on-site, this boutique property is a perfect choice.

Another option is The Marmalade Hotel with its modern rooms and recently renovated washrooms. This highly rated property offers an awesome breakfast and is walkable to town for shops and restaurants.

When we visited, there weren’t any options to stay right in Portree, so we stayed at the Cliffe House Bed & Breakfast in Kyleakin. The room was clean and comfortable, and the included breakfast was really tasty. One evening, we even came back to a stunning sunset and captured some lovely photos at the water’s edge.

The Final Word…Things To See On The Isle Of Skye

If you are looking for a wonderful place to visit with so many natural wonders, stunning scenery and fascinating folklore and legends, be sure to take time to explore this incredible part of Scotland. It is well worth a visit.

If you are looking for other things to do near the Isle of Skye, be sure to read our other posts about the North Coast 500 and Inverness when planning your trip to Scotland.