Scotland's Magical and Most Visited Island

The Isle of Skye offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland, with rugged coastlines, towering mountains, and charming villages. Whether you are a nature lover, history enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Skye has something to offer and since the building of the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh is easily accessible.

This guide will take you through the best locations and hidden gems around the island, helping you plan an unforgettable visit... hopefully!

Read to the end for some general tips too :)

The Old Man of Storr : Skye's Iconic Rock

One of the most iconic landmarks on Skye, the Old Man of Storr is a striking rock formation that rises sharply from the landscape. The hike to the top is moderately challenging more so at the start, but rewards visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the sea beyond.

Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best light for photography and fewer crowds. If it is too busy then this view from Loch Fada offers a nice little respite from the crowds.

• Location: Near Portree, the island’s main town

• Hike duration: About 4-6 hours round trip

• Tip: Wear sturdy shoes and bring water; weather can change quickly so bring layers

Quiraing: A Landscape Like No Other

The Quiraing is a landslip on the Trotternish Ridge, famous for its dramatic cliffs, hidden plateaus, and unusual rock formations. It’s a paradise for hikers and photographers. The loop trail takes you through a variety of terrains, from grassy slopes to rocky outcrops.

"The Needle" (centre image) is very tricky to get into a suitable position, I have actually not managed a couple of times to get there! It is very steep and the paths up to it are loose rock it is certainly not worth attempting but for he hardiest of photographers.

• Trail length: Approximately 7km (4.5miles)

• Difficulty: Moderate (to Difficult at points)

• Highlights: Needle rock, Table, and Prison formations ideal at sunrise (image on the right and left)

Fairy Pools: Crystal Clear Mountain Streams

Located near Glenbrittle, the Fairy Pools are a series of vivid blue pools and waterfalls fed by mountain streams. The water is cold but incredibly clear, making it a popular spot for wild swimming during warmer months. The walk to the pools is scenic and suitable for most fitness levels.

• Distance from Portree: About 30 minutes by car

• Trail: 2.4 km (1.5 miles) return walk

• Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn and ideally early morning or later in the day! Winter can be a no go with the road down just before the car park being on a fair slope, I have seen cars and coaches getting stuck badly!

Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

Dunvegan Castle is the ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod and one of the oldest continuously inhabited castles in Scotland. The castle offers a glimpse into Skye’s history, with well-preserved rooms, artifacts, and beautiful gardens (there is even a locket of Bonnie Prince Charlie's hair!). Nearby, you can take boat trips to see seals and explore the coastline, maybe even doing a little fishing.

• Location: Dunvegan village, northwest Skye

• Opening hours: Seasonal, check ahead

• Activities: Castle tours, garden walks, boat trips

Neist Point Lighthouse

For stunning coastal views and dramatic cliffs, Neist Point is a must-visit. The lighthouse sits on a headland that juts into the Atlantic Ocean, providing excellent opportunities to spot seabirds and marine life. The walk from the parking area to the lighthouse is short but steep in places.

• Distance from Portree: About 45 minutes by car

• Trail length: 1.5 km (1 mile) return

• Best time: Sunset for spectacular colours, everyone knows this and it is often busy, give yourself plenty of time to get there as it is one road in and out and so can be really slow (remember the general tips!)

Talisker Bay & Distillery

Skye’s only whisky distillery, Talisker, is located near Carbost. It offers guided tours where visitors can learn about the whisky-making process and sample some of the island’s finest single malts. The distillery shop also sells exclusive bottlings.

• Tour duration: Around 1 hour

• Booking: Recommended in advance

• Nearby: I absolutely love a visit to Talisker Bay, black sand, a sea stack and a waterfall and one of the quieter spots on the island.

The Fairy Glen: ... be warned

The Fairy Glen near Uig is a small, otherworldly landscape of grassy cones, small lochs, and winding paths.

However... due to the scarring of the landscape at the famous view with people climbing up to its high point, development was undertaken to add a fixed path to this location to try and help preserve it. Similar to what was done elsewhere at Old Man of Storr, The Fairy Pools and The Quiraing it is however more noticeable being a relatively smaller site.

This has taken away some of the magical allure and charm and many will have seen images like mine taken below and leave disappointed that the reality is somewhat different...

As a photographer I was disappointed, but it is impossible not to understand having witnessed the land become so badly damaged over the years.

• Access: Off the A855 road near Uig

• Duration: 1 to 2 hours to explore

• Tip: Respect the natural environment and private land boundaries

Coral Beach: White Sands and Turquoise Waters

Coral Beach, near Dunvegan, surprises visitors with its white sand and clear turquoise waters, unusual for Scotland. The beach is made from crushed white coral and shells, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding cliffs. It’s a great spot for a picnic or a quiet stroll.

• Distance from Dunvegan: About 15 minutes by car

• Facilities: Limited, bring your own supplies

• Best time: Summer months for milder weather but get here early as the parking is limited!

Portree: The Island’s Vibrant Hub

Portree is the largest town on Skye and a great base for exploring the island. Its colourful harbour, shops, cafes, and restaurants offer a warm welcome after a day of sightseeing. Don’t miss the local seafood and traditional Scottish fare.

• Highlights: Harbour views, local art galleries, craft shops

• Events: Check for local markets and festivals

• Accommodation: Wide range from B&Bs to hotels

An Corran Beach: Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs

When most people think of dinosaurs, they picture deserts but one of the UK’s richest dinosaur landscapes lies on the rugged shores of the Isle of Skye. This dramatic Scottish island is a global hotspot for Middle Jurassic fossils, offering a rare glimpse into life around 170 million years ago.

Rather than towering skeletons in museums, Skye’s dinosaurs reveal themselves through footprints pressed into ancient mud. Along the island’s coastline in places like Staffin Bay, An Corran, and Brother’s Point—you can spot fossilized tracks left by both meat-eating theropods and long-necked sauropods. These footprints tell stories of dinosaurs wandering across shallow lagoons, moving in the same spaces where waves now crash.

Today, Skye’s dinosaur heritage is carefully protected, but it remains wonderfully accessible. A walk along the shore at low tide can feel like stepping back in time—where geology, wildlife, and deep history meet. On Skye, the past isn’t buried deep underground; it’s written into the rocks beneath your feet.

• Tips: An Corran is the easiest to access but can also be the busiest, they can only be seen at low tide and can often be marked out by those white rocks seen in the middle image. Decent amount of parking but definitely worth getting there a little before low tide and enjoying some snacks or a coffee waiting.

General Tips for Exploring the Isle of Skye

• Plan your route: Some roads are narrow and winding; allow extra time for travel, it is THE biggest small island... something might seem a short journey but can take far longer.

• Check the weather: Skye’s weather changes quickly like most of Scotland does; pack layers and waterproofs.

• Respect nature: Stick to marked paths and avoid disturbing wildlife, a given throughout most of Scotland BUT the island has undergone a lot of work to help preserve the landscapes which had become bad with scarring especially at the likes of Fairy Glen...

• Book ahead: Accommodations fill up fast, especially in summer.

• "Smidge" is arguably the best midge repellent and available at most outdoors shops and online. They are most active between May and mid September so some spray and a mesh cover for your head and face is really worthwhile for most people.

• Passing places, they are NOT just for allowing cars coming towards you to pull in... if you are struggling with the nature of the roads then pull in and allow others to pass, cars ending up in convoy can quickly cause jams with passing places often not equipped for more than 2-3 cars if that. A rule of thumb, if someone is driving right up your arse, they are the arsehole... if there are multiple cars driving up your arse then sadly it is YOU who is being the arsehole. :) (people will understand nervous unfamiliar drivers, but just pull over and wait till more experienced or local drivers pass and it helps everyone)

• Support local, Where you can, be a good guest... if I am driving around on trips I tend to use local businesses over chains as much as possible.

• Take your rubbish home or back to your accommodation! This should be self explanatory but sadly it is not with lay-bys around Scotland and other beauty spots sadly often seen with someone's empty can or wrapper or even worse!

And my last tip... take LOTS of photos!

Love from Scotland

B x