I love Scotland; I am one mid-life crisis away from packing a bag and moving there. I’ve actually been to Scotland more than I’ve been to any other country – three times! The first time I went, I spent less than 48 hours in Edinburgh. A lot of fun but not the most thorough exploration. The second time, I got to spend a long weekend in the same city, and saw things I didn’t even know about on the first trip!
But the third time I visited, I was determined to get out of the big city. I got to explore more cities (Glasgow, Inverness, Stirling), and I got to spend time off the beaten path in the rugged highlands.
One of the most amazing experiences I have had in Scotland was on the Isle of Skye, and I say to you all, it is a journey you don’t want to miss! If you need someone to convince you to take the plunge and go, read on.
Five Things to See on the Isle of Skye
1. Visit the picturesque harbor in Portree
I’ll be honest, you literally can’t miss this. But it’s still awesome. Unless you are camping, you will probably be staying in Portree, the Isle’s largest city. From what I gather, it’s full of activity during the tourist season, but rather quiet otherwise. The famous harbor is of course worth a walk around, but there are also a few other walks right in town that are well worth it!
First, you can hike up “the lump” – a rocky outcropping along the waterfront. Up there you can see excellent views of the Storr and the Cuilins, as well as the old Apothecary’s Tower.
For those looking for a longer adventure with a lot more coast, you can wander along the Scorrybreac circuit: 3k of stunning coastal views! It’s not very strenuous, mostly flat though a bit muddy if it’s wet. We had no problem doing both hikes our first evening in town. A pint of Skye Ale goes down extra smoothly after taking in views like these!
2. Visit the Fairy Glen
This hidden gem was quite the treat! And I do mean hidden… a single track road with a kissing gate and barely a sign at all. I think had we been on our own (instead of on a bus), we would not have been able to find the place!
It’s not a huge site, but the conical hills and jutting rocks give the place a strange, otherworldly quality. Our guide told us that people have been taking the name a little too far by making little stone circles to add to the “fairy kingdom” vibe. He strongly discouraged this behavior as it messes with the grazing of the sheep.
The tallest rocky prominence is called Castle Ewan, and a short scramble up give you a stunning view of the land.
3. Hike Along the Quiraing
This is probably one of the most iconic Skye sights. It serves as the backdrop for many a film, such as Stardust and Outlander. You can hike along the full 4.5-mile circuit and get right up to those distant rocky points! Unfortunately, we weren’t able to go far along the trail because of the tour we were on, but it is on my bucket list! If you are looking for a guide, check out Walkhighlands!
Even if you only are able to stop for a short time, like we were, it is totally worth it for these views!
4. Swim (or Walk) the Fairy Pools
Let’s take a jaunt to the southern part of the island near Glenbrittle. Here you will find the Black Cuilin mountains, and running along their feet is the Brittle River. The crystal blue water trickling and pooling has earned this site the name “The Fairy Pools”, and it is not to be missed! If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even go for a swim!
This was the place we spent the most time on our bus tour, giving us plenty of time to scramble uphill along the river. It made for some gorgeous views, and it felt like a proper hike. Tip: you will definitely want some waterproof shoes for this!
5. Have A Local Drink (or Two)
After all that exploring, you deserve it! The Isle of Skye has its own whiskey distillery, Talisker, and it’s own brewery, Skye Brewing Company. Our tour bus stopped long enough in Talisker for us to have a tiny bit of whiskey (not my drink of choice), but we have three evenings to get acquainted with the delicious Skye Ale as it’s served in all the pubs.
A Few Tips
As you might have guessed, it’s a lot easier to move around Skye with your own car. That just wasn’t in the cards for us (I can’t imagine enjoying myself navigating those single-track roads from the right side of the car), and we ended up booking a guided tour. It was a fantastic experience and I don’t regret it one bit! However, we were warned that a lot of opportunities are shut down in the off-season, so do some research! We went in September and had no issues.
We spent three nights in Portree. We spent a full day exploring Dunvegan and Eilean Donan Castle, and the next day was our guided tour. Yes, there were things I didn’t get to do, but I will just have to go back!
What’s the most magical place you’ve been? Any recommendations for a trip to the Isle of Skye? Comment below!