The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most visited destinations – and justifiably so.
Part of the Inner Hebrides islands off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Skye is stunningly beautiful. It offers wild, windswept landscapes, fairy tale waterfalls and lochs, a dramatic coastline, historic castles, deserted beaches, great food and drink and, of course, a warm Scottish welcome.
We have visited the Isle of Skye several times and it is one of our favourite places in the U.K.
You can see the highlights of the island in 1 day but to fully explore all the gems that the Isle of Skye has to offer (and at a leisurely pace), we recommend spending at least 2 -3 days on Skye.
We guarantee you won’t regret it!
How to get around the Isle of Skye
Driving your own car is the best way to explore the Isle of Skye.
Having your own car will enable you to get off the beaten track or stop when you want to for photos or for a scenic stroll. You can set your own timetable according to the weather or crowds and it’s also useful cover to escape to when it rains on Skye (and it rains a lot!).
Getting to Skye from the Scottish mainland is easy. You can drive over the bridge from the Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland to Kyleakin in south-east Skye.
Alternatively, if you’re travelling south to north, you can take your car over on the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale in the south of Skye.
However you choose to reach Skye, we recommend travelling both ways (by ferry and by bridge) to maximise your Isle of Skye experience. Make sure you book your ferry well in advance of your trip as it gets booked up, especially in peak season.
Read our guide – How to travel from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye
Isle of Skye tours
If self-driving is not for you, there are lots of excellent and comprehensive Isle of Skye tours to choose from.
Most island tours cover the highlights mentioned in our itineraries below but you will have less time at each location. If you book a private tour, you can always ask to tweak the itinerary to include places you wish to visit.
Isle of Skye road trip itineraries
Please note that all driving times below are approximate. You will need to drive slower in bad weather and may have to drive slower in peak season due to other traffic on the roads.
Plus, if you get stuck behind a tractor or a herd of sheep it can take much longer to reach your destination!
A 1 day Isle of Skye Itinerary
If possible, stay on the Isle of Skye the night before embarking on this 1 day itinerary. Our itinerary starts from Portree which is a 1 hour drive north of Kyleakin and 1.10 hours north of Armadale.
This itinerary involves a lot of driving with limited time out of the car so set off as early as you can.
If you are travelling in winter months, you will have shorter daylight hours so be aware that you might need to condense this itinerary.
Morning
Start your morning with breakfast in Portree and a brief walk around this pretty coastal town. To save time later in the day, stock up on a picnic lunch and snacks whilst in Portree.
Drive north for 15 minutes on the A855 to reach Skye’s iconic landmark, the Old Man of Storr, a 55-metre high pinnacle of basalt rock. Enjoy a 1 hour walk taking in the dramatic scenery.
A further 15 minute drive brings you to the public viewpoint for Kilt Rock and Mealt falls.
Kilt Rock is a jaw dropping 90-metre-high cliff wall of hexagonal basalt rock columns. Mealt Falls plunges over it dropping 55 metres in the sea below. You’ll want to stop and take photos here so allow around 30 minutes for your stop.
Drive another 10 minutes north to the spectacular scenery of The Quiraing, one of Skye’s most visited locations. Look out for the parking lot and start of the walking trail which is around 2.5 miles from the village of Staffin.
The full Quiraing loop walk takes around 2 hours but you can do as little or as much as you like to fit in with your 1 day Skye itinerary.
Enjoy your picnic lunch or continue driving across the inland of the island to the village of Uig (20 minutes away) for a short lunch stop.
Afternoon
After lunch, drive for 40 minutes to Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. It’s a 40 minute drive without stops but you will want to make stops to enjoy the scenery so allocate around 1 hour for the drive.
If you are travelling between April and mid-October you can spend an hour exploring the castle (the home of the MacLeod Clan) and their impressive 5 acre formal gardens. If the castle is closed, you can still get a good view of it from the road.
From Dunvegan, drive a further 30 minutes to reach Neist Point Lighthouse, the most westerly tip of the Isle of Skye. Perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, it’s a photographer’s dream.
It’s a 2.2km walk to reach the lighthouse so you can do as little or as much as you like depending on your timings. Note that the path back to the car park is steep in places.
Drive for 1 hour back to Portree via Feorlig and Bracadale to complete your northerly loop of the Isle of Skye or detour at Sligachan to reach Armadale or Kyleakin.
Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary
This itinerary involves a lot more walking than the 1 day itinerary so make sure you bring sturdy closed toe shoes with you.
Day 1
Morning
Start your morning with a leisurely breakfast in colourful Portree and a brief walk around the coastal town.
Drive 30 minutes southwest of Portree to the Fairy Pools, a series of crystal clear pools set against a spectacular highland backdrop.
The return walk to the first pool is around 2.4 km and will take around 1 hour but you can extend your walk to explore further up the river to see more pools. We’d recommend allowing at least 2 hours for your visit.
Drive northwest for 20 minutes (detouring off the A863 onto the B8009) to visit the Talisker Distillery in Carbost, the oldest working distillery on the island.
Take a 1 hour tour to discover Talisker’s history and production processes. You’ll also get 3 dram tastings of Talisker’s award winning single malts. Drivers will be given ‘driver’s drams’ to take away to enjoy once the driving day is over.
Afternoon
Have lunch in Carbost or return to Portree for lunch before heading north to the Old Man of Storr.
You will have enough time left today to do the full 2.5 miles / 4 km trail which will take around 1.5 – 2 hours depending on stops. It’s well worth doing if you are able to.
Afterwards, you can choose to stay locally or drive 15 minutes back to Portree for the night.
Check out our comprehensive guide to accommodation in Skye for all budgets here.
Day 2
Morning
Make an early start to beat the crowds and drive to the viewing point for Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls.
If your visit coincides with a low tide, pop to Staffin Beach to see its 3 toed dinosaur print embedded in rock.
Drive to The Quiraing where you’ll have time to do the full walking trail loop (around 2 hours).
Afternoon
Stop for lunch in Uig before making a short 6 minute driving detour to the Fairy Glen.
This unusual, other-worldy landscape features cone-shaped grassy hills and basalt rocks formed over 100,000 years ago. It’s worth spending some time wandering around here if you can.
Drive for 1 hour to Dunvegan Castle. If it’s open, allow at least 1 hour to visit before heading west for 30 minutes to Neist Point Lighthouse. Allow at least 1.5 – 2 hours to walk to the lighthouse and back.
Return to Portree via Feorlig and Bracadale or continue driving to Armadale or Kyleakin.
3 Day Isle of Skye Itinerary
Day 1
Same as day 1 of the 2 day itinerary
Day 2
Morning
Same as day 2 of the 2 day itinerary.
Afternoon
Drive from The Quiraing to the small Rubha Hunish car park for a walk to the most northerly tip of Skye.
The trail to Rubha Hunish is around 6.2 km and will take around 2 hours to complete but again, you can do as much or as little as you like. The trail is rough and steep and can be exposed in places so take care where you walk.
If you make it to the end of the trail in good weather, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Skye’s northern coastline and maybe even the Outer Hebrides islands of Lewis and Harris.
This north coast is a renowned spot for bird watching so don’t forget your binoculars.
If the weather is bad, we don’t recommend attempting the walk. Instead, enjoy the coastal scenery and drive further on to the 15th century ruins of Duntulm Castle before heading to the Fairy Glen near Uig.
Stay in the local area overnight.
Day 3
Morning
There is a lot of driving today so start early to fit everything in. If the weather is good, we recommend picking up a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way and to save time.
Drive from Uig to Dunvegan Castle (30 minutes). If the castle is open, allow 1-2 hours for your visit.
From Dunvegan, drive to Coral Beach (25 minutes) and spend a relaxing hour strolling one of the best beaches on the Isle of Skye.
Coral Beach is made from tiny particles of crushed white coral so the beach appears to be pure white which also helps to give the sea a turquoise Caribbean hue. If it’s a sunny day, you’ll find it hard to leave this beautiful beach. We love it here and in summer, it’s an ideal picnic spot.
Afternoon
From Coral Beach, drive to Neist Point Lighthouse (1 hour). Allow 1.5 – 2 hours to walk to and from the lighthouse.
Drive to Carbost before taking a tour of the Talisker Distillery (at least a 1 hour drive). Allow an additional hour for your tour.
Drive back to Portree (30 mins), making a quick stop at Sligachan Bridge, or continue on to Kyleakin or Armadale for the ferry to the mainland.
Tips for visiting the Isle of Skye
- Self driving is the best way to explore Skye. Alternatively, join a small group tour or arrange a private tour. There is very limited public transport on the island.
- Use Tripiamo to prepare for your road trip. Their comprehensive driving guides are specifically designed to teach international travellers what they need to know to confidently and safely drive in another country. We promise using a Tripiamo guide will save you time and stress!
- Watch out for sheep on the narrow winding roads, some of which will be single track.
- Parking is limited on Skye and parking areas at main attractions fill up quickly. Arrive early to secure your spot and use Parkopedia to find available parking on the island.
- Most car parks accept credit cards but carry some cash just in case. We recommend downloading the RingGo app in advance of your visit as several Skye car parks use this.
- Book restaurants in advance of your visit. Skye is a small island with limited dining options so if there is somewhere specifically you wish to eat, we recommend booking lunch or dinner reservations ahead of time. We recommend the Edinbane Inn between Portree and Dunvegan and The Oyster Shed in Carbost. Also, don’t miss the excellent Harbour Fish and Chip shop in Portree.
- Book your Isle of Skye accommodation in advance. Hotels, B+B’s and camping pods fill up quickly, especially in peak season.
- You won’t find many grocery shops on Skye so take advantage of having your own car and stock up on food, drink and snacks before arriving on the island.
- Prepare for all weathers. You must expect rain so make sure you pack a waterproof jacket and sturdy, waterproof shoes with good grip for walking. We also recommend keeping an eye on the weather forecast whilst on the island as the weather can change quickly.
- Be prepared for midges. Peak midge season is between May and September which, unfortunately, is the peak season for visitors. Midges are most prevalent in good weather (they don’t like wind!), around water sources and in the early morning and evening. Make sure you bring insect repellent – and some bite relief – to the island with you particularly if you visit in peak season.
- Look out for Highland cattle; you’ll see them in fields as you drive along. If you want to pull over to take a photo, make sure you park in a safe place which will not obstruct traffic.
- The Isle of Skye gets very busy in U.K school holidays, particularly during July and August. Avoid these months if you can.
- Most places on Skye take credit cards but carry some spare cash just in case. Some retailers may have minimum card spends.
- Download Google Maps ahead of your visit. Phone signals can be weak or non-existent in rural parts of Skye so it’s a good idea to have a backup option, just in case.
- If you take a car to the island, fill up with fuel on the mainland first. It’s cheaper and will save you hunting for fuel when on Skye.
Hopefully our tried and tested driving itineraries on the Isle of Skye will help you get the most out of your visit to the island – and save you time and stress.
We guarantee you will love the Isle of Skye as much as we do and will leave planning to return.