This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2018. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
Some people say that you can do Scotland’s Isle of Skye in a day, but I disagree.
Isle of Skye is a fairly large island, and there is loads to see. I think you need 2 days minimum to see the major sights during an Isle of Skye road trip. To explore the island at a slow pace, it would be easy to spend a whole week hiking around the pretty landscapes and visiting the historic ruins and viewpoints.
For my road trip around Scotland, I decided to book 3 nights in Portree, leaving 2 full days in between to sightsee around the island. It was enough, though it did feel just a little rushed – there were a few activities that we missed because we ran out of time, or because the weather wasn’t great. Skye deserves to be explored at a relaxed pace to be properly appreciated. Here’s my suggestion for a perfect Isle of Skye itinerary!
Quick summary:
This 2-day Isle of Skye itinerary covers the island’s top sights with one driving loop each day. Highlights include the Fairy Pools, Old Man of Storr, Neist Point, and Kilt Rock. Stay in Portree and explore by car or book a 3-day tour from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Recommended tours:
🚐 Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh – A 3-day tour that hits Skye’s best spots, with optional accommodation in Inverness.
🚌 Isle of Skye tour from Glasgow – Similar itinerary departing from Glasgow, with Highland scenery along the way.
How to get to the Isle of Skye
There are a few different ways to reach the Isle of Skye, depending on how much time you have and whether you’re keen to drive.
Driving on Isle of Skye
Driving is the most flexible way to explore the Isle of Skye. You don’t need to take a ferry — the island is connected to mainland Scotland by the Skye Bridge.
- From Edinburgh: It’s around 5.5 hours to Skye via the A82 and A87, passing through scenic spots like Glencoe and Fort William.
- From Glasgow: About 5 hours via the same route.
- From Inverness: Around 2.5 hours to Skye via Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle.
Once you’re on Skye, a hire car is super handy for getting to the more remote locations — especially those down single-track roads. There are two major driving loops that you can do on Skye – one around the north and one out west. For our trip, we rented a car and did one driving loop per day.
Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh
🚌 If you’d rather not drive, you can take a multi-day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh. Tours usually include transport, optional accommodation, and sightseeing stops along the way.
Isle of Skye tour from Glasgow
🚌 You can also choose to do an Isle of Skye tour from Glasgow. This tour covers the same route as the Edinburgh departure.
Both of the above tour options are 3-day tours that include time on Skye along with other Scottish Highlands highlights like Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle, and Loch Ness. They’re a great option if you’re short on time or just want to sit back and enjoy the scenery while someone else takes care of the details.
Isle of Skye itinerary map guide
0 – Portree
Day One:
1 – Dunvegan Castle
2 – Neist Point Lighthouse
3 – Talisker Distillery
4 – The Fairy Pools
5 – Sligachan Old Bridge
Day Two:
6 – Old Man of Storr
7 – Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
8 – Duntulum Castle
9 – Uig
10 – The Fairy Glen
Where to stay on Isle of Skye
You might be wondering if it’s worth staying in Portree on Isle of Skye. The answer is yes–the biggest town on Skye makes a good base for exploring the island.
We stayed in a private cottage. It was a surprisingly good find, as the photos on the listing looked average but the reviews were great. The cottage turned out to be totally adorable, and it was one of the few places that we could find with 2 double bedrooms for ourselves and our other married friends (yep, that’s right – we go on married couple trips now).
Isle of Skye itinerary: Day 1
Get ready for a big day of exploration! This day includes the most driving with much of the journey following narrow, single lane roads, which take you to some of the most spectacular spots on the island. Make sure your camera/phone battery is fully charged and that your there is plenty of room for photo storage available on your device!
1. Dunvegan Castle
Start your morning by driving out to Dunvegan Castle–one of the best things to do on Isle of Skye. This 13th century castle is home to the MacLeod clan, and is pretty neat to walk through with its historic displays. The gardens here are absolutely gorgeous, so make sure you put aside time to explore the outdoor areas as well.
2. Neist Point Lighthouse
Next, head out to Neist Point Lighthouse. You may have seen photos of this spectacular peninsula already as this is one of the most iconic places on Skye. You can walk down to the lighthouse from the car park, but we opted to instead walk along the cliff edge until we found the famous photo spot. Be prepared – this walk can be muddy!
As you drive back past Dunvegan, you can stop for lunch as there are a few cafes nearby. We went to the Lochside Crafts & Tea Room for some tasty toasties.
3. Talisker Distillery
After lunch, head south to the town of Carbost where you’ll find Talisker Distillery – the oldest (and for a long time, the only) distillery on Skye. Many visitors choose to take a tour, but if you want to do this, be sure to book ahead as the tours fill up quickly. We ended up doing some tastings in the bar and reading about the history on the visitor center displays instead.
4. The Fairy Pools
Next up is the Fairy Pools, which I found absolutely magical! This waterfall cascades down into numerous smaller pools, and you can climb all over the rocks to get some amazing photos with the scenic mountain backdrop.
The pools require a bit of a walk, and I might add that this walk can be muddy and has a river crossing (in which everyone in our party got their shoes wet – even the ones wearing waterproof hiking boots!), but it was totally worth the soaked socks.
5. Sligachan Old Bridge
On your way back to Portree, stop at the Sligachan Old Bridge for a photo op. This stone bridge is totally adorable and is surrounded by gorgeous scenery.
Isle of Skye itinerary: Day 2
It’s best to start day two early so that you can beat the crowds. We made the mistake of leaving around 9:30 AM and we ended up struggling to find parking and available seats at cafes. I’d suggest an 8:30 AM start if you can drag yourself out of bed that early.
6. Old Man of Storr
Start the day by driving north to Old Man of Storr – a spectacular rocky outcrop with views that will blow your mind. The muddy hike up to the lookout takes about 2 hours return. Remember to take some water and snacks!
You’ll probably want a big lunch after that hike, so head straight to the town of Staffin and grab a table at one of the cafes – try the The Hungry Gull, Telford Takeaway, or Columba 1400. We arrived at Staffin around 1:00 PM and all of the venues were full up, so we unfortunately had to settle for a soup at the local grocery store! If you get there earlier, you may have more luck.
7. Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
After lunch, it’s time for a photo stop at the Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls viewpoint. The scenery here is 100% gorgeous. We even had a busker turn up and play us some Scottish tunes on the bagpipes while we admired the view from the cliffs. What a dream!
8. Duntulum Castle
Drive onwards to the northernmost point on Skye. We stopped at Duntulum Castle for a quick look at the ruins with their ocean backdrop, but were caught in a rain storm 5 minutes in and had to quickly retreat to the car. I got back first and managed to escape the worst of it, but everyone else got thoroughly drenched! Fun times.
9. Uig
Next stop is the township of Uig, which holds the Isle of Skye Brewing Co. It’s unfortunate that the onsite shop doesn’t have a tasting room (whyyyyyy!?) but you can purchase some of their bottled brews to enjoy later.
10. The Fairy Glen
The Fairy Glen (not to be confused with the Fairy Pools that we did on day one) is not far from Uig. The Fairy Glen is a magical little grassy spot with rocks arranged in mysterious patterns. We unfortunately missed this spot, which I am quite devastated about because I’ve heard that it is really lovely! From here, it’s back to Portree for your last night on Skye.
FAQs about visiting the Isle of Skye:
How many days do you need on the Isle of Skye?
I recommend spending at least 2 days on the Isle of Skye. This gives you enough time to visit the island’s major attractions. If you enjoy hiking or prefer a slower pace, you could easily spend a few extra days exploring the island.
What is the best way to get around the Isle of Skye?
The best way to explore the Isle of Skye is by rental car. Many of the island’s best attractions are spread out and aren’t easily reached by public transport. If you’d rather not drive, a 3-day guided tour from Edinburgh or a 3-day guided tour from Glasgow are great alternatives.
Is driving on the Isle of Skye difficult?
Driving on Skye is generally straightforward, but many roads are single-track with passing places, so you’ll need to drive carefully and be prepared to give way to oncoming traffic. I also recommend downloading offline Google Maps before you arrive, as mobile reception disappears in parts of the island.
What should you wear on the Isle of Skye?
The weather on Skye can change incredibly quickly, so it’s best to wear layers and pack a waterproof rain jacket. Waterproof hiking boots or sturdy shoes are also a good idea, especially if you’re visiting muddy attractions like the Fairy Pools or hiking to the Old Man of Storr.
Where should you stay on the Isle of Skye?
I stayed in Portree, which makes a great base for most visitors. It’s the island’s largest town, with the widest choice of accommodation, restaurants and supermarkets, and it’s conveniently located for exploring both the northern and western parts of Skye.
When is the best time to visit the Isle of Skye?
Late spring through early autumn (May to September) generally offers the best weather and longest daylight hours. However, Skye is apparently beautiful year-round, and it’s worth being prepared for rain regardless of when you visit—the weather can change within minutes.
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